Selling a Business in Gainesville

Owners in the Gainesville area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 7,902 employer businesses, and 86% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Gainesville by the numbers

7,902

7,902

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

30,575

30,575

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

112,872

112,872

EMPLOYMENT

$5.9 billion

$5.9 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

3,153

3,153

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 Gainesville compares

  • The Gainesville area ranks 16th of 22 Florida metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 9.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 10% of employer businesses in Gainesville, compared with 8% in Florida.

  • 3,153 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Gainesville area ranks 16th of 22 Florida metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 9.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 10% of employer businesses in Gainesville, compared with 8% in Florida.

  • 3,153 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,112 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,036 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,012 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 793 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 770 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,112 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,036 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,012 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 793 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 770 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 Gainesville

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

894 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • General Contracting: 236 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 148 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 142 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

695 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Medical Practices

670 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Financial & Professional Services

471 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Retail Stores

436 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Automotive & Boat

234 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Auto Repair: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 47 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: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Home Services

204 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Gas Stations & Convenience

168 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Manufacturing

146 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Logistics & Transportation

145 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Beauty & Personal Care

125 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Hair Salons: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

118 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

109 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Technology & Media

97 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Education & Childcare

96 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Daycare Centers: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

83 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Hotels: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

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

Entertainment & Recreation

75 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Bars & Pubs: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 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.

Health & Fitness

55 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Senior Care & Living

52 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Pet Services

37 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Energy & Utilities

31 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

894 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • General Contracting: 236 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 148 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 142 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

695 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Medical Practices

670 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Financial & Professional Services

471 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Retail Stores

436 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Automotive & Boat

234 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Auto Repair: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 47 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: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Home Services

204 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Gas Stations & Convenience

168 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Manufacturing

146 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Logistics & Transportation

145 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Beauty & Personal Care

125 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Hair Salons: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

118 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

109 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Technology & Media

97 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Education & Childcare

96 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Daycare Centers: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

83 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Hotels: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

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

Entertainment & Recreation

75 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Bars & Pubs: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 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.

Health & Fitness

55 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Senior Care & Living

52 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Pet Services

37 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Energy & Utilities

31 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Gainesville

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Gainesville ask

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

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 Gainesville?

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 Gainesville

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