Selling a Business in Hot Springs

Owners in the Hot Springs area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,953 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

Hot Springs by the numbers

2,953

2,953

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

8,931

8,931

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

35,325

35,325

EMPLOYMENT

$1.5 billion

$1.5 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,213

1,213

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 Hot Springs compares

  • The Hot Springs area ranks 5th of 5 Arkansas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 8.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 11% of employer businesses in Hot Springs, compared with 9% in Arkansas.

  • 1,213 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Hot Springs area ranks 5th of 5 Arkansas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 8.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 11% of employer businesses in Hot Springs, compared with 9% in Arkansas.

  • 1,213 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 464 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 422 employer businesses

  • Construction: 338 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 317 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 283 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 464 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 422 employer businesses

  • Construction: 338 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 317 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 283 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 Hot Springs

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Hot Springs. 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

365 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

  • General Contracting: 78 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Roofing & Siding: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

284 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Restaurants & Food

266 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Financial & Professional Services

201 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Retail Stores

184 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Automotive & Boat

106 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

  • Auto Repair: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

72 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Home Services

58 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Hospitality & Travel

58 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

  • Hotels: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

55 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Logistics & Transportation

48 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Beauty & Personal Care

47 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

  • Hair Salons: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

47 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Wholesale & Distribution

31 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Entertainment & Recreation

24 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

Senior Care & Living

24 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Education & Childcare

21 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

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

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

Health & Fitness

19 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Technology & Media

19 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Pet Services

14 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Energy & Utilities

8 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Hot Springs. 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

365 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

  • General Contracting: 78 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Roofing & Siding: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

284 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Restaurants & Food

266 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Financial & Professional Services

201 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Retail Stores

184 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Automotive & Boat

106 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

  • Auto Repair: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

72 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Home Services

58 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Hospitality & Travel

58 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

  • Hotels: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

55 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Logistics & Transportation

48 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Beauty & Personal Care

47 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

  • Hair Salons: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

47 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Wholesale & Distribution

31 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Entertainment & Recreation

24 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

Senior Care & Living

24 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Education & Childcare

21 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

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

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

Health & Fitness

19 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Technology & Media

19 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Pet Services

14 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

Energy & Utilities

8 related employer businesses in Hot Springs.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Hot Springs

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Hot Springs ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Hot Springs?

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 Hot Springs?

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 Hot Springs

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