Selling a Business in Flagstaff

Owners in the Flagstaff area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,955 employer businesses, and 85% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Flagstaff by the numbers

3,955

3,955

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

10,714

10,714

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

51,178

51,178

EMPLOYMENT

$2.4 billion

$2.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,678

1,678

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 Flagstaff compares

  • The Flagstaff area ranks 5th of 7 Arizona metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 16% of employer businesses in Flagstaff, compared with 9% in Arizona.

  • 1,678 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Flagstaff area ranks 5th of 7 Arizona metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 16% of employer businesses in Flagstaff, compared with 9% in Arizona.

  • 1,678 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Accommodation and food service: 629 employer businesses

  • Retail: 550 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 451 employer businesses

  • Construction: 421 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 375 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Accommodation and food service: 629 employer businesses

  • Retail: 550 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 451 employer businesses

  • Construction: 421 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 375 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 Flagstaff

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

446 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

  • General Contracting: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

  • Civil Engineering: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 13 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.

Restaurants & Food

384 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Financial & Professional Services

283 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Medical Practices

256 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Retail Stores

238 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Hospitality & Travel

185 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

  • Hotels: 146 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 146 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

126 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

  • Auto Repair: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 11 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.

  • Towing & Repo: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 6 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.

Home Services

90 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Gas Stations & Convenience

88 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Manufacturing

71 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Entertainment & Recreation

70 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 9 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

63 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

  • Hair Salons: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 18 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.

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

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

Logistics & Transportation

57 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Technology & Media

53 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Health & Fitness

36 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

33 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Wholesale & Distribution

31 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Energy & Utilities

29 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Senior Care & Living

29 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Education & Childcare

12 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

  • Daycare Centers: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pet Services

12 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

446 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

  • General Contracting: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

  • Civil Engineering: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 13 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.

Restaurants & Food

384 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Financial & Professional Services

283 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Medical Practices

256 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Retail Stores

238 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Hospitality & Travel

185 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

  • Hotels: 146 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 146 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

126 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

  • Auto Repair: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 11 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.

  • Towing & Repo: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 6 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.

Home Services

90 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Gas Stations & Convenience

88 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Manufacturing

71 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Entertainment & Recreation

70 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 9 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

63 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

  • Hair Salons: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 18 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.

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

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

Logistics & Transportation

57 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Technology & Media

53 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Health & Fitness

36 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

33 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Wholesale & Distribution

31 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Energy & Utilities

29 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Senior Care & Living

29 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

Education & Childcare

12 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

  • Daycare Centers: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pet Services

12 related employer businesses in Flagstaff.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Flagstaff

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Flagstaff ask

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

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 Flagstaff?

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 Flagstaff

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