Selling a Business in Dalton

Owners in the Dalton area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,803 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

Dalton by the numbers

2,803

2,803

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

10,346

10,346

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

61,552

61,552

EMPLOYMENT

$3.2 billion

$3.2 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,194

1,194

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 Dalton compares

  • The Dalton area ranks 12th of 14 Georgia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 8.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 11% of employer businesses in Dalton, compared with 3% in Georgia.

  • 1,194 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Dalton area ranks 12th of 14 Georgia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 8.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 11% of employer businesses in Dalton, compared with 3% in Georgia.

  • 1,194 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 516 employer businesses

  • Manufacturing: 311 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 252 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 249 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 246 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 516 employer businesses

  • Manufacturing: 311 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 252 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 249 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 246 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 Dalton

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

262 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Manufacturing

259 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Construction & Engineering

203 related employer businesses in Dalton.

  • General Contracting: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Plumbing: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Retail Stores

163 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Medical Practices

155 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Financial & Professional Services

143 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Gas Stations & Convenience

118 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Logistics & Transportation

114 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Automotive & Boat

109 related employer businesses in Dalton.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Car Washes: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

96 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

35 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Home Services

32 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Education & Childcare

29 related employer businesses in Dalton.

  • Daycare Centers: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

25 related employer businesses in Dalton.

  • Hotels: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

23 related employer businesses in Dalton.

  • 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: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

22 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Energy & Utilities

17 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Health & Fitness

15 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Entertainment & Recreation

13 related employer businesses in Dalton.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 4 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.

Senior Care & Living

10 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Pet Services

8 related employer businesses in Dalton.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

262 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Manufacturing

259 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Construction & Engineering

203 related employer businesses in Dalton.

  • General Contracting: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Plumbing: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Retail Stores

163 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Medical Practices

155 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Financial & Professional Services

143 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Gas Stations & Convenience

118 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Logistics & Transportation

114 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Automotive & Boat

109 related employer businesses in Dalton.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Car Washes: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

96 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

35 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Home Services

32 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Education & Childcare

29 related employer businesses in Dalton.

  • Daycare Centers: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

25 related employer businesses in Dalton.

  • Hotels: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

23 related employer businesses in Dalton.

  • 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: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

22 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Energy & Utilities

17 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Health & Fitness

15 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Entertainment & Recreation

13 related employer businesses in Dalton.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 4 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.

Senior Care & Living

10 related employer businesses in Dalton.

Pet Services

8 related employer businesses in Dalton.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Dalton

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Dalton ask

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

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 Dalton?

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 Dalton

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