Selling a Business in Gettysburg

Owners in the Gettysburg area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 1,967 employer businesses, and 87% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Gettysburg by the numbers

1,967

1,967

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

7,561

7,561

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

27,990

27,990

EMPLOYMENT

$1.3 billion

$1.3 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

815

815

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 Gettysburg compares

  • The Gettysburg area ranks 16th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses was unchanged between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Gettysburg, compared with 4% in Pennsylvania.

  • 815 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Gettysburg area ranks 16th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses was unchanged between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Gettysburg, compared with 4% in Pennsylvania.

  • 815 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 312 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 289 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 239 employer businesses

  • Construction: 234 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 165 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 312 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 289 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 239 employer businesses

  • Construction: 234 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 165 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

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Gettysburg

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service, construction

Every kind of business we sell in Gettysburg

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

239 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

  • General Contracting: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

185 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Retail Stores

113 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Automotive & Boat

111 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

  • Auto Repair: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Medical Practices

81 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Manufacturing

79 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Financial & Professional Services

70 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Hospitality & Travel

50 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

  • Hotels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 10 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.

Logistics & Transportation

50 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Beauty & Personal Care

33 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

  • Hair Salons: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

28 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

  • Bars & Pubs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • 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.

Gas Stations & Convenience

27 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Education & Childcare

21 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

  • Daycare Centers: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Wholesale & Distribution

19 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Home Services

14 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Senior Care & Living

14 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

11 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Health & Fitness

10 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Technology & Media

10 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Pet Services

8 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

239 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

  • General Contracting: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

185 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Retail Stores

113 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Automotive & Boat

111 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

  • Auto Repair: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Medical Practices

81 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Manufacturing

79 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Financial & Professional Services

70 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Hospitality & Travel

50 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

  • Hotels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 10 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.

Logistics & Transportation

50 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Beauty & Personal Care

33 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

  • Hair Salons: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

28 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

  • Bars & Pubs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • 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.

Gas Stations & Convenience

27 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Education & Childcare

21 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

  • Daycare Centers: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Wholesale & Distribution

19 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Home Services

14 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Senior Care & Living

14 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

11 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Health & Fitness

10 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Technology & Media

10 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

Pet Services

8 related employer businesses in Gettysburg.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Gettysburg

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Gettysburg ask

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

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 Gettysburg?

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 Gettysburg

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