Selling a Business in Gainesville

Owners in the Gainesville area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,181 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

Gainesville by the numbers

5,181

5,181

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

23,719

23,719

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

92,380

92,380

EMPLOYMENT

$5.6 billion

$5.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,964

1,964

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 7th of 14 Georgia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 16.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Gainesville, compared with 3% in Georgia.

  • 1,964 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Gainesville area ranks 7th of 14 Georgia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 16.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Gainesville, compared with 3% in Georgia.

  • 1,964 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 693 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 596 employer businesses

  • Construction: 584 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 507 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 470 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 693 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 596 employer businesses

  • Construction: 584 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 507 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 470 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

638 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • General Contracting: 174 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 92 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Medical Practices

436 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Restaurants & Food

398 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Financial & Professional Services

397 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Automotive & Boat

224 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Auto Repair: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

205 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Logistics & Transportation

192 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Manufacturing

187 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Wholesale & Distribution

154 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Gas Stations & Convenience

124 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Beauty & Personal Care

117 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Hair Salons: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

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

  • Tattoo Shops: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 27 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.

Home Services

110 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

73 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Technology & Media

55 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Hospitality & Travel

33 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Hotels: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Energy & Utilities

24 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Education & Childcare

23 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Daycare Centers: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pet Services

19 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Health & Fitness

18 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

16 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 3 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.

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

638 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • General Contracting: 174 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 92 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Medical Practices

436 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Restaurants & Food

398 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Financial & Professional Services

397 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Automotive & Boat

224 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Auto Repair: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

205 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Logistics & Transportation

192 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Manufacturing

187 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Wholesale & Distribution

154 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Gas Stations & Convenience

124 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Beauty & Personal Care

117 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Hair Salons: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

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

  • Tattoo Shops: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 27 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.

Home Services

110 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

73 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Technology & Media

55 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Hospitality & Travel

33 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Hotels: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Energy & Utilities

24 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Education & Childcare

23 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Daycare Centers: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pet Services

19 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

Health & Fitness

18 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

16 related employer businesses in Gainesville.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 3 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.

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