Selling a Business in Evansville

Owners in the Evansville area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 6,910 employer businesses, and 81% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Evansville by the numbers

6,910

6,910

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

81%

81%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

17,965

17,965

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

137,357

137,357

EMPLOYMENT

$7.8 billion

$7.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

3,254

3,254

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 Evansville compares

  • The Evansville area ranks 3rd of 12 Indiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 14% of employer businesses in Evansville, compared with 12% in Indiana.

  • 3,254 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Evansville area ranks 3rd of 12 Indiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 14% of employer businesses in Evansville, compared with 12% in Indiana.

  • 3,254 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 992 employer businesses

  • Retail: 940 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 759 employer businesses

  • Construction: 667 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 624 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 992 employer businesses

  • Retail: 940 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 759 employer businesses

  • Construction: 667 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 624 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 Evansville

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

749 related employer businesses in Evansville.

  • General Contracting: 200 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

566 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Medical Practices

559 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Financial & Professional Services

434 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Retail Stores

378 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Manufacturing

235 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Automotive & Boat

223 related employer businesses in Evansville.

  • Auto Repair: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

218 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Wholesale & Distribution

165 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Gas Stations & Convenience

126 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Home Services

123 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Beauty & Personal Care

122 related employer businesses in Evansville.

  • Hair Salons: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

91 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Entertainment & Recreation

80 related employer businesses in Evansville.

  • Bars & Pubs: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 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.

Education & Childcare

71 related employer businesses in Evansville.

  • Daycare Centers: 66 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.

Technology & Media

66 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Health & Fitness

54 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Hospitality & Travel

53 related employer businesses in Evansville.

  • Hotels: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 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.

Pet Services

48 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Energy & Utilities

37 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Senior Care & Living

32 related employer businesses in Evansville.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

749 related employer businesses in Evansville.

  • General Contracting: 200 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

566 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Medical Practices

559 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Financial & Professional Services

434 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Retail Stores

378 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Manufacturing

235 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Automotive & Boat

223 related employer businesses in Evansville.

  • Auto Repair: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

218 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Wholesale & Distribution

165 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Gas Stations & Convenience

126 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Home Services

123 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Beauty & Personal Care

122 related employer businesses in Evansville.

  • Hair Salons: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

91 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Entertainment & Recreation

80 related employer businesses in Evansville.

  • Bars & Pubs: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 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.

Education & Childcare

71 related employer businesses in Evansville.

  • Daycare Centers: 66 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.

Technology & Media

66 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Health & Fitness

54 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Hospitality & Travel

53 related employer businesses in Evansville.

  • Hotels: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 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.

Pet Services

48 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Energy & Utilities

37 related employer businesses in Evansville.

Senior Care & Living

32 related employer businesses in Evansville.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Evansville

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Evansville ask

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

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 Evansville?

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 Evansville

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