Selling a Business in Canton

Owners in the Canton area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 8,645 employer businesses, and 82% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Canton by the numbers

8,645

8,645

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

82%

82%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

31,679

31,679

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

145,007

145,007

EMPLOYMENT

$7.3 billion

$7.3 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

4,016

4,016

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 Canton compares

  • The Canton area ranks 8th of 12 Ohio metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Canton, compared with 11% in Ohio.

  • 4,016 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Canton area ranks 8th of 12 Ohio metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Canton, compared with 11% in Ohio.

  • 4,016 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,240 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,054 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,045 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 865 employer businesses

  • Construction: 812 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,240 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,054 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,045 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 865 employer businesses

  • Construction: 812 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 Canton

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

938 related employer businesses in Canton.

  • General Contracting: 225 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 184 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Masonry: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

812 related employer businesses in Canton.

Medical Practices

574 related employer businesses in Canton.

Financial & Professional Services

492 related employer businesses in Canton.

Retail Stores

477 related employer businesses in Canton.

Automotive & Boat

375 related employer businesses in Canton.

  • Auto Repair: 140 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

357 related employer businesses in Canton.

Logistics & Transportation

272 related employer businesses in Canton.

Beauty & Personal Care

185 related employer businesses in Canton.

  • Hair Salons: 101 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

159 related employer businesses in Canton.

Gas Stations & Convenience

155 related employer businesses in Canton.

Home Services

136 related employer businesses in Canton.

Senior Care & Living

121 related employer businesses in Canton.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

119 related employer businesses in Canton.

Entertainment & Recreation

114 related employer businesses in Canton.

  • Bars & Pubs: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 7 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.

Health & Fitness

83 related employer businesses in Canton.

Technology & Media

81 related employer businesses in Canton.

Energy & Utilities

75 related employer businesses in Canton.

Hospitality & Travel

71 related employer businesses in Canton.

  • Hotels: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Education & Childcare

64 related employer businesses in Canton.

  • Daycare Centers: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Pet Services

42 related employer businesses in Canton.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

938 related employer businesses in Canton.

  • General Contracting: 225 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 184 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Masonry: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

812 related employer businesses in Canton.

Medical Practices

574 related employer businesses in Canton.

Financial & Professional Services

492 related employer businesses in Canton.

Retail Stores

477 related employer businesses in Canton.

Automotive & Boat

375 related employer businesses in Canton.

  • Auto Repair: 140 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

357 related employer businesses in Canton.

Logistics & Transportation

272 related employer businesses in Canton.

Beauty & Personal Care

185 related employer businesses in Canton.

  • Hair Salons: 101 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

159 related employer businesses in Canton.

Gas Stations & Convenience

155 related employer businesses in Canton.

Home Services

136 related employer businesses in Canton.

Senior Care & Living

121 related employer businesses in Canton.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

119 related employer businesses in Canton.

Entertainment & Recreation

114 related employer businesses in Canton.

  • Bars & Pubs: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 7 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.

Health & Fitness

83 related employer businesses in Canton.

Technology & Media

81 related employer businesses in Canton.

Energy & Utilities

75 related employer businesses in Canton.

Hospitality & Travel

71 related employer businesses in Canton.

  • Hotels: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Education & Childcare

64 related employer businesses in Canton.

  • Daycare Centers: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Pet Services

42 related employer businesses in Canton.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Canton

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Canton ask

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

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 Canton?

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 Canton

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