Selling a Business in Bridgeport

Owners in the Bridgeport area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 26,896 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

Bridgeport by the numbers

26,896

26,896

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

111,912

111,912

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

399,402

399,402

EMPLOYMENT

$39.6 billion

$39.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

10,495

10,495

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 Bridgeport compares

  • The Bridgeport area ranks 2nd of 5 Connecticut metro areas for employer businesses.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 13% of employer businesses in Bridgeport, compared with 10% in Connecticut.

  • 10,495 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Bridgeport area ranks 2nd of 5 Connecticut metro areas for employer businesses.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 13% of employer businesses in Bridgeport, compared with 10% in Connecticut.

  • 10,495 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 3,429 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 3,330 employer businesses

  • Retail: 3,177 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 2,678 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 2,552 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 3,429 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 3,330 employer businesses

  • Retail: 3,177 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 2,678 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 2,552 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 Bridgeport

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

2,952 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

  • Landscaping: 774 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • General Contracting: 697 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 372 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 361 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 361 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 304 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 156 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 108 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

2,616 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Medical Practices

2,126 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Financial & Professional Services

1,710 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Retail Stores

1,419 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Beauty & Personal Care

754 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

  • Hair Salons: 335 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 245 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Automotive & Boat

713 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

  • Auto Repair: 247 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 114 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 93 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Technology & Media

626 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Manufacturing

600 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Wholesale & Distribution

555 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Home Services

474 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Logistics & Transportation

376 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Gas Stations & Convenience

338 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Education & Childcare

337 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

  • Daycare Centers: 292 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

301 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

259 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Hospitality & Travel

224 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

  • Transportation Services: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Hotels: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

216 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Energy & Utilities

200 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Entertainment & Recreation

173 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x 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.

Pet Services

126 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

2,952 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

  • Landscaping: 774 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • General Contracting: 697 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 372 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 361 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 361 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 304 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 156 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 108 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

2,616 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Medical Practices

2,126 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Financial & Professional Services

1,710 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Retail Stores

1,419 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Beauty & Personal Care

754 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

  • Hair Salons: 335 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 245 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Automotive & Boat

713 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

  • Auto Repair: 247 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 114 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 93 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Technology & Media

626 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Manufacturing

600 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Wholesale & Distribution

555 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Home Services

474 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Logistics & Transportation

376 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Gas Stations & Convenience

338 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Education & Childcare

337 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

  • Daycare Centers: 292 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

301 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

259 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Hospitality & Travel

224 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

  • Transportation Services: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Hotels: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

216 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Energy & Utilities

200 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

Entertainment & Recreation

173 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x 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.

Pet Services

126 related employer businesses in Bridgeport.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Bridgeport

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Bridgeport ask

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

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 Bridgeport?

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 Bridgeport

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