Selling a Business in Beckley

Owners in the Beckley area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,423 employer businesses, and 86% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Beckley by the numbers

2,423

2,423

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

5,861

5,861

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

34,125

34,125

EMPLOYMENT

$1.6 billion

$1.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,157

1,157

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 Beckley compares

  • The Beckley area ranks 5th of 7 West Virginia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 17% of employer businesses in Beckley, compared with 14% in West Virginia.

  • 1,157 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Beckley area ranks 5th of 7 West Virginia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 17% of employer businesses in Beckley, compared with 14% in West Virginia.

  • 1,157 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 425 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 411 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 264 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 214 employer businesses

  • Construction: 204 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 425 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 411 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 264 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 214 employer businesses

  • Construction: 204 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 Beckley

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

Every kind of business we sell in Beckley

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Beckley. 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.

Medical Practices

227 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Construction & Engineering

220 related employer businesses in Beckley.

  • General Contracting: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Plumbing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

180 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Retail Stores

155 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Financial & Professional Services

103 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Automotive & Boat

97 related employer businesses in Beckley.

  • Auto Repair: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Gas Stations & Convenience

74 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Wholesale & Distribution

66 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Logistics & Transportation

55 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

54 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Manufacturing

45 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Home Services

44 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Hospitality & Travel

31 related employer businesses in Beckley.

  • Hotels: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

27 related employer businesses in Beckley.

  • Hair Salons: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

22 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Entertainment & Recreation

21 related employer businesses in Beckley.

  • Bars & Pubs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

Education & Childcare

20 related employer businesses in Beckley.

  • Daycare Centers: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

20 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Senior Care & Living

17 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Technology & Media

8 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Beckley.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Beckley. 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.

Medical Practices

227 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Construction & Engineering

220 related employer businesses in Beckley.

  • General Contracting: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Plumbing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

180 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Retail Stores

155 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Financial & Professional Services

103 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Automotive & Boat

97 related employer businesses in Beckley.

  • Auto Repair: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Gas Stations & Convenience

74 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Wholesale & Distribution

66 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Logistics & Transportation

55 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

54 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Manufacturing

45 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Home Services

44 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Hospitality & Travel

31 related employer businesses in Beckley.

  • Hotels: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

27 related employer businesses in Beckley.

  • Hair Salons: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

22 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Entertainment & Recreation

21 related employer businesses in Beckley.

  • Bars & Pubs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

Education & Childcare

20 related employer businesses in Beckley.

  • Daycare Centers: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

20 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Senior Care & Living

17 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Technology & Media

8 related employer businesses in Beckley.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Beckley.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Beckley

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Beckley ask

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

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 Beckley?

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 Beckley

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