Selling a Business in Auburn

Owners in the Auburn area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,573 employer businesses, and 84% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Auburn by the numbers

3,573

3,573

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

15,248

15,248

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

56,112

56,112

EMPLOYMENT

$2.6 billion

$2.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,591

1,591

BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES

U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.

How Auburn compares

  • The Auburn area ranks 8th of 12 Alabama metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 16.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Administrative and support services makes up 7% of employer businesses in Auburn, compared with 5% in Alabama.

  • 1,591 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Auburn area ranks 8th of 12 Alabama metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 16.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Administrative and support services makes up 7% of employer businesses in Auburn, compared with 5% in Alabama.

  • 1,591 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 579 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 460 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 344 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 343 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 315 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 579 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 460 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 344 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 343 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 315 employer businesses

What buyers look for

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Auburn

Retail, accommodation and food service, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance

Every kind of business we sell in Auburn

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Auburn. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Restaurants & Food

412 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Construction & Engineering

371 related employer businesses in Auburn.

  • General Contracting: 110 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Retail Stores

222 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Medical Practices

216 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Financial & Professional Services

205 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Automotive & Boat

128 related employer businesses in Auburn.

  • Auto Repair: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

113 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Gas Stations & Convenience

106 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Manufacturing

103 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Home Services

74 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Beauty & Personal Care

50 related employer businesses in Auburn.

  • Hair Salons: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

44 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Wholesale & Distribution

43 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

41 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Education & Childcare

37 related employer businesses in Auburn.

  • Daycare Centers: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

37 related employer businesses in Auburn.

  • Hotels: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Health & Fitness

29 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Entertainment & Recreation

28 related employer businesses in Auburn.

  • Bars & Pubs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

20 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Pet Services

15 related employer businesses in Auburn.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Auburn. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Restaurants & Food

412 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Construction & Engineering

371 related employer businesses in Auburn.

  • General Contracting: 110 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Retail Stores

222 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Medical Practices

216 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Financial & Professional Services

205 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Automotive & Boat

128 related employer businesses in Auburn.

  • Auto Repair: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

113 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Gas Stations & Convenience

106 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Manufacturing

103 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Home Services

74 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Beauty & Personal Care

50 related employer businesses in Auburn.

  • Hair Salons: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

44 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Wholesale & Distribution

43 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

41 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Education & Childcare

37 related employer businesses in Auburn.

  • Daycare Centers: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

37 related employer businesses in Auburn.

  • Hotels: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Health & Fitness

29 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Entertainment & Recreation

28 related employer businesses in Auburn.

  • Bars & Pubs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

20 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Auburn.

Pet Services

15 related employer businesses in Auburn.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Auburn

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Auburn. Contact us to talk about a sale.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Auburn ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Auburn?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers. Many sales take six months or longer from the start of the process to closing.

How is a business valued in Auburn?

Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.

Is the sale confidential?

Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.

FROM OUR BLOG

Guides for owners in Auburn

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article