Selling a Business in Dothan

Owners in the Dothan area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,594 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

Dothan by the numbers

3,594

3,594

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

12,098

12,098

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

52,879

52,879

EMPLOYMENT

$2.6 billion

$2.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,675

1,675

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 Dothan compares

  • The Dothan area ranks 7th of 12 Alabama metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 5% of employer businesses in Dothan, compared with 5% in Alabama.

  • 1,675 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Dothan area ranks 7th of 12 Alabama metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 5% of employer businesses in Dothan, compared with 5% in Alabama.

  • 1,675 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 674 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 414 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 390 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 355 employer businesses

  • Construction: 302 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 674 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 414 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 390 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 355 employer businesses

  • Construction: 302 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 Dothan

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

338 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Construction & Engineering

310 related employer businesses in Dothan.

  • General Contracting: 93 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

273 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Retail Stores

244 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Financial & Professional Services

198 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Automotive & Boat

151 related employer businesses in Dothan.

  • Auto Repair: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

135 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Gas Stations & Convenience

122 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Manufacturing

117 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Wholesale & Distribution

74 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

56 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Beauty & Personal Care

52 related employer businesses in Dothan.

  • Hair Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x 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.

Home Services

51 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Hospitality & Travel

43 related employer businesses in Dothan.

  • 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

40 related employer businesses in Dothan.

  • Daycare Centers: 36 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.

Entertainment & Recreation

29 related employer businesses in Dothan.

  • 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: 9 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: 3 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.

Energy & Utilities

27 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Senior Care & Living

27 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Technology & Media

24 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Health & Fitness

21 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Pet Services

20 related employer businesses in Dothan.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

338 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Construction & Engineering

310 related employer businesses in Dothan.

  • General Contracting: 93 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

273 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Retail Stores

244 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Financial & Professional Services

198 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Automotive & Boat

151 related employer businesses in Dothan.

  • Auto Repair: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

135 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Gas Stations & Convenience

122 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Manufacturing

117 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Wholesale & Distribution

74 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

56 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Beauty & Personal Care

52 related employer businesses in Dothan.

  • Hair Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x 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.

Home Services

51 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Hospitality & Travel

43 related employer businesses in Dothan.

  • 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

40 related employer businesses in Dothan.

  • Daycare Centers: 36 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.

Entertainment & Recreation

29 related employer businesses in Dothan.

  • 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: 9 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: 3 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.

Energy & Utilities

27 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Senior Care & Living

27 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Technology & Media

24 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Health & Fitness

21 related employer businesses in Dothan.

Pet Services

20 related employer businesses in Dothan.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Dothan

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Dothan ask

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

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 Dothan?

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 Dothan

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