Selling a Business in Fairbanks

Owners in the Fairbanks area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,576 employer businesses, and 89% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Fairbanks by the numbers

2,576

2,576

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

6,898

6,898

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

26,009

26,009

EMPLOYMENT

$1.7 billion

$1.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,075

1,075

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 Fairbanks compares

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Real estate and rental makes up 7% of employer businesses in Fairbanks, compared with 5% in Alaska.

  • 1,075 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Real estate and rental makes up 7% of employer businesses in Fairbanks, compared with 5% in Alaska.

  • 1,075 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 341 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 324 employer businesses

  • Retail: 271 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 257 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 252 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 341 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 324 employer businesses

  • Retail: 271 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 257 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 252 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 Fairbanks

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

351 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

  • General Contracting: 107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

185 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Medical Practices

174 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Financial & Professional Services

152 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Retail Stores

107 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Logistics & Transportation

90 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Automotive & Boat

85 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

  • Auto Repair: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 18 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.

  • Car Dealerships: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 5 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.

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

Home Services

61 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Manufacturing

50 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Beauty & Personal Care

47 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

  • Hair Salons: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

46 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x 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.

Energy & Utilities

35 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Wholesale & Distribution

35 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Health & Fitness

33 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Hospitality & Travel

30 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

  • Hotels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

27 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Education & Childcare

25 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

  • Daycare Centers: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

24 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Technology & Media

13 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

3 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

351 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

  • General Contracting: 107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

185 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Medical Practices

174 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Financial & Professional Services

152 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Retail Stores

107 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Logistics & Transportation

90 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Automotive & Boat

85 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

  • Auto Repair: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 18 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.

  • Car Dealerships: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 5 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.

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

Home Services

61 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Manufacturing

50 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Beauty & Personal Care

47 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

  • Hair Salons: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

46 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x 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.

Energy & Utilities

35 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Wholesale & Distribution

35 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Health & Fitness

33 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Hospitality & Travel

30 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

  • Hotels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

27 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Education & Childcare

25 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

  • Daycare Centers: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

24 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Technology & Media

13 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

3 related employer businesses in Fairbanks.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Fairbanks

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Fairbanks ask

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

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 Fairbanks?

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 Fairbanks

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