Selling a Business in Clarksville

Owners in the Clarksville area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,129 employer businesses, and 84% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Clarksville by the numbers

5,129

5,129

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

23,884

23,884

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

82,188

82,188

EMPLOYMENT

$3.7 billion

$3.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,380

2,380

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 Clarksville compares

  • The Clarksville area ranks 6th of 10 Tennessee metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 9.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 13% of employer businesses in Clarksville, compared with 10% in Tennessee.

  • 2,380 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Clarksville area ranks 6th of 10 Tennessee metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 9.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 13% of employer businesses in Clarksville, compared with 10% in Tennessee.

  • 2,380 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 923 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 642 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 625 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 608 employer businesses

  • Construction: 486 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 923 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 642 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 625 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 608 employer businesses

  • Construction: 486 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 Clarksville

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

Every kind of business we sell in Clarksville

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

Restaurants & Food

614 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Construction & Engineering

500 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

  • General Contracting: 151 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

Medical Practices

361 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Retail Stores

340 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Financial & Professional Services

264 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Automotive & Boat

224 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

  • Auto Repair: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Gas Stations & Convenience

159 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Manufacturing

130 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Logistics & Transportation

127 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Home Services

106 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Education & Childcare

87 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

  • Daycare Centers: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

79 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Beauty & Personal Care

75 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

  • Hair Salons: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

69 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

  • Hotels: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

61 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Health & Fitness

48 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Energy & Utilities

33 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Entertainment & Recreation

33 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

  • Bars & Pubs: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 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.

Technology & Media

33 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Pet Services

31 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

Restaurants & Food

614 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Construction & Engineering

500 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

  • General Contracting: 151 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

Medical Practices

361 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Retail Stores

340 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Financial & Professional Services

264 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Automotive & Boat

224 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

  • Auto Repair: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Gas Stations & Convenience

159 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Manufacturing

130 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Logistics & Transportation

127 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Home Services

106 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Education & Childcare

87 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

  • Daycare Centers: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

79 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Beauty & Personal Care

75 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

  • Hair Salons: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

69 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

  • Hotels: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

61 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Health & Fitness

48 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Energy & Utilities

33 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Entertainment & Recreation

33 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

  • Bars & Pubs: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 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.

Technology & Media

33 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Pet Services

31 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Clarksville.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Clarksville

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Clarksville ask

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

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 Clarksville?

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 Clarksville

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