Selling a Business in Johnson City

Owners in the Johnson City area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 4,070 employer businesses, and 84% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Johnson City by the numbers

4,070

4,070

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

15,481

15,481

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

69,452

69,452

EMPLOYMENT

$3.5 billion

$3.5 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,917

1,917

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 Johnson City compares

  • The Johnson City area ranks 7th of 10 Tennessee metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Johnson City, compared with 10% in Tennessee.

  • 1,917 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Johnson City area ranks 7th of 10 Tennessee metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Johnson City, compared with 10% in Tennessee.

  • 1,917 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 717 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 535 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 500 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 459 employer businesses

  • Construction: 355 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 717 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 535 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 500 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 459 employer businesses

  • Construction: 355 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 Johnson City

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

Every kind of business we sell in Johnson City

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Johnson City. 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.

Restaurants & Food

422 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Construction & Engineering

408 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

  • General Contracting: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Electrical: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

338 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Retail Stores

274 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Financial & Professional Services

232 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Automotive & Boat

156 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

  • Auto Repair: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

125 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Gas Stations & Convenience

101 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Home Services

73 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Logistics & Transportation

73 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Wholesale & Distribution

69 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

65 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Beauty & Personal Care

64 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

  • Hair Salons: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

49 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Hospitality & Travel

32 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

  • Hotels: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x 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.

Senior Care & Living

32 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Entertainment & Recreation

27 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

  • Bars & Pubs: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 10 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.

  • 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

27 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Technology & Media

27 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Education & Childcare

21 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

  • 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

20 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Johnson City. 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.

Restaurants & Food

422 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Construction & Engineering

408 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

  • General Contracting: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Electrical: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

338 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Retail Stores

274 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Financial & Professional Services

232 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Automotive & Boat

156 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

  • Auto Repair: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

125 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Gas Stations & Convenience

101 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Home Services

73 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Logistics & Transportation

73 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Wholesale & Distribution

69 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

65 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Beauty & Personal Care

64 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

  • Hair Salons: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

49 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Hospitality & Travel

32 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

  • Hotels: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x 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.

Senior Care & Living

32 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Entertainment & Recreation

27 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

  • Bars & Pubs: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 10 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.

  • 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

27 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Technology & Media

27 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

Education & Childcare

21 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

  • 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

20 related employer businesses in Johnson City.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Johnson City

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Johnson City ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Johnson City?

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 Johnson City?

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 Johnson City

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