Selling a Business in Barnstable Town

Owners in the Barnstable Town area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 8,957 employer businesses, and 91% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Barnstable Town by the numbers

8,957

8,957

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

91%

91%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

28,874

28,874

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

76,963

76,963

EMPLOYMENT

$4.8 billion

$4.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

3,122

3,122

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 Barnstable Town compares

  • The Barnstable Town area ranks 4th of 6 Massachusetts metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 17% of employer businesses in Barnstable Town, compared with 12% in Massachusetts.

  • 3,122 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Barnstable Town area ranks 4th of 6 Massachusetts metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 17% of employer businesses in Barnstable Town, compared with 12% in Massachusetts.

  • 3,122 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 1,516 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,402 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,097 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 805 employer businesses

  • Administrative and support services: 777 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 1,516 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,402 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,097 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 805 employer businesses

  • Administrative and support services: 777 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

Every kind of business we sell in Barnstable Town

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Barnstable Town. 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.

Construction & Engineering

1,935 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

  • General Contracting: 561 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 478 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 272 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 147 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

983 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Retail Stores

657 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Financial & Professional Services

437 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Medical Practices

422 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Automotive & Boat

288 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

  • Auto Repair: 100 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Marinas: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Hospitality & Travel

225 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

  • Hotels: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Home Services

196 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Gas Stations & Convenience

175 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Beauty & Personal Care

166 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

  • Hair Salons: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Manufacturing

156 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Technology & Media

101 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Entertainment & Recreation

99 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bars & Pubs: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Wholesale & Distribution

93 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

90 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Logistics & Transportation

87 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Health & Fitness

79 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Energy & Utilities

64 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Education & Childcare

57 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

  • Daycare Centers: 54 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.

Pet Services

49 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Senior Care & Living

41 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Barnstable Town. 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.

Construction & Engineering

1,935 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

  • General Contracting: 561 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 478 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 272 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 147 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

983 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Retail Stores

657 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Financial & Professional Services

437 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Medical Practices

422 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Automotive & Boat

288 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

  • Auto Repair: 100 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Marinas: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Hospitality & Travel

225 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

  • Hotels: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Home Services

196 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Gas Stations & Convenience

175 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Beauty & Personal Care

166 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

  • Hair Salons: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Manufacturing

156 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Technology & Media

101 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Entertainment & Recreation

99 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bars & Pubs: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Wholesale & Distribution

93 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

90 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Logistics & Transportation

87 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Health & Fitness

79 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Energy & Utilities

64 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Education & Childcare

57 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

  • Daycare Centers: 54 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.

Pet Services

49 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

Senior Care & Living

41 related employer businesses in Barnstable Town.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Barnstable Town

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Barnstable Town ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Barnstable Town?

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 Barnstable Town?

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 Barnstable Town

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