Selling a Business in Burlington

Owners in the Burlington area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,652 employer businesses, and 83% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Burlington by the numbers

3,652

3,652

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

13,489

13,489

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

61,726

61,726

EMPLOYMENT

$3.1 billion

$3.1 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,637

1,637

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 Burlington compares

  • The Burlington area ranks 11th of 15 North Carolina metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 9.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Burlington, compared with 3% in North Carolina.

  • 1,637 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Burlington area ranks 11th of 15 North Carolina metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 9.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Burlington, compared with 3% in North Carolina.

  • 1,637 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 628 employer businesses

  • Construction: 417 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 400 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 376 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 373 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 628 employer businesses

  • Construction: 417 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 400 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 376 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 373 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 Burlington

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

450 related employer businesses in Burlington.

  • General Contracting: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

363 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Retail Stores

258 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Medical Practices

224 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Financial & Professional Services

208 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Manufacturing

158 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Automotive & Boat

146 related employer businesses in Burlington.

  • Auto Repair: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

92 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Gas Stations & Convenience

84 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Wholesale & Distribution

77 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Home Services

67 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

52 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Education & Childcare

46 related employer businesses in Burlington.

  • Daycare Centers: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Beauty & Personal Care

39 related employer businesses in Burlington.

  • Hair Salons: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

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

Hospitality & Travel

34 related employer businesses in Burlington.

  • Hotels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 23 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.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Health & Fitness

31 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Entertainment & Recreation

30 related employer businesses in Burlington.

  • Bars & Pubs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • 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.

Technology & Media

29 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Energy & Utilities

20 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Pet Services

15 related employer businesses in Burlington.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

450 related employer businesses in Burlington.

  • General Contracting: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

363 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Retail Stores

258 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Medical Practices

224 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Financial & Professional Services

208 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Manufacturing

158 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Automotive & Boat

146 related employer businesses in Burlington.

  • Auto Repair: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

92 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Gas Stations & Convenience

84 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Wholesale & Distribution

77 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Home Services

67 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

52 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Education & Childcare

46 related employer businesses in Burlington.

  • Daycare Centers: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Beauty & Personal Care

39 related employer businesses in Burlington.

  • Hair Salons: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

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

Hospitality & Travel

34 related employer businesses in Burlington.

  • Hotels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 23 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.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Health & Fitness

31 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Entertainment & Recreation

30 related employer businesses in Burlington.

  • Bars & Pubs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • 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.

Technology & Media

29 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Energy & Utilities

20 related employer businesses in Burlington.

Pet Services

15 related employer businesses in Burlington.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Burlington

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Burlington ask

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

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 Burlington?

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 Burlington

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