Selling a Business in Goldsboro

Owners in the Goldsboro area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,195 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

Goldsboro by the numbers

2,195

2,195

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

8,307

8,307

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

33,629

33,629

EMPLOYMENT

$1.4 billion

$1.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,019

1,019

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 Goldsboro compares

  • The Goldsboro area ranks 15th of 15 North Carolina metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 20% of employer businesses in Goldsboro, compared with 14% in North Carolina.

  • 1,019 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Goldsboro area ranks 15th of 15 North Carolina metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 20% of employer businesses in Goldsboro, compared with 14% in North Carolina.

  • 1,019 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 441 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 302 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 266 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 231 employer businesses

  • Construction: 213 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 441 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 302 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 266 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 231 employer businesses

  • Construction: 213 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 Goldsboro

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Goldsboro

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

218 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

  • General Contracting: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

216 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Retail Stores

150 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Medical Practices

127 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Automotive & Boat

113 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

  • Auto Repair: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Financial & Professional Services

110 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Gas Stations & Convenience

74 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Logistics & Transportation

57 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Home Services

40 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Manufacturing

40 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Wholesale & Distribution

36 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Education & Childcare

33 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

  • Daycare Centers: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

32 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Beauty & Personal Care

30 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

  • Hair Salons: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.

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

Hospitality & Travel

18 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

  • Hotels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

18 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Health & Fitness

17 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Energy & Utilities

14 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Entertainment & Recreation

12 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

  • Bars & Pubs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 12 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.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Technology & Media

4 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

218 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

  • General Contracting: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

216 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Retail Stores

150 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Medical Practices

127 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Automotive & Boat

113 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

  • Auto Repair: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Financial & Professional Services

110 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Gas Stations & Convenience

74 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Logistics & Transportation

57 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Home Services

40 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Manufacturing

40 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Wholesale & Distribution

36 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Education & Childcare

33 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

  • Daycare Centers: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

32 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Beauty & Personal Care

30 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

  • Hair Salons: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.

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

Hospitality & Travel

18 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

  • Hotels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

18 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Health & Fitness

17 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Energy & Utilities

14 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Entertainment & Recreation

12 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

  • Bars & Pubs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 12 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.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

Technology & Media

4 related employer businesses in Goldsboro.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Goldsboro

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Goldsboro ask

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

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 Goldsboro?

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 Goldsboro

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