Selling a Business in Fayetteville

Owners in the Fayetteville area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 14,311 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

Fayetteville by the numbers

14,311

14,311

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

53,508

53,508

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

244,096

244,096

EMPLOYMENT

$16.4 billion

$16.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

6,117

6,117

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 Fayetteville compares

  • The Fayetteville area ranks 2nd of 5 Arkansas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 15.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Fayetteville, compared with 9% in Arkansas.

  • 6,117 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Fayetteville area ranks 2nd of 5 Arkansas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 15.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Fayetteville, compared with 9% in Arkansas.

  • 6,117 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 1,667 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,666 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,604 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,494 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,318 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 1,667 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,666 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,604 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,494 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,318 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 Fayetteville

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

1,668 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

  • General Contracting: 475 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 240 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 240 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 201 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 193 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 144 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 117 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

1,165 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Medical Practices

1,048 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Financial & Professional Services

1,013 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Retail Stores

672 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Automotive & Boat

441 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

  • Auto Repair: 130 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Boat Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

369 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Manufacturing

347 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Wholesale & Distribution

344 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Home Services

297 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Beauty & Personal Care

227 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

  • Hair Salons: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

185 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Gas Stations & Convenience

155 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Education & Childcare

136 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

  • Daycare Centers: 120 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

129 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

  • Hotels: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

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

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

Health & Fitness

127 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

119 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Entertainment & Recreation

112 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

  • Bars & Pubs: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 4 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.

Energy & Utilities

79 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Pet Services

75 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Senior Care & Living

74 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

1,668 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

  • General Contracting: 475 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 240 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 240 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 201 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 193 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 144 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 117 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

1,165 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Medical Practices

1,048 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Financial & Professional Services

1,013 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Retail Stores

672 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Automotive & Boat

441 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

  • Auto Repair: 130 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Boat Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

369 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Manufacturing

347 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Wholesale & Distribution

344 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Home Services

297 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Beauty & Personal Care

227 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

  • Hair Salons: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

185 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Gas Stations & Convenience

155 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Education & Childcare

136 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

  • Daycare Centers: 120 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

129 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

  • Hotels: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

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

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

Health & Fitness

127 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

119 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Entertainment & Recreation

112 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

  • Bars & Pubs: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 4 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.

Energy & Utilities

79 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Pet Services

75 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

Senior Care & Living

74 related employer businesses in Fayetteville.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Fayetteville

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Fayetteville ask

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

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 Fayetteville?

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 Fayetteville

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