Selling a Business in Johnstown

Owners in the Johnstown area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,996 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

Johnstown by the numbers

2,996

2,996

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

6,556

6,556

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

43,601

43,601

EMPLOYMENT

$1.9 billion

$1.9 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,390

1,390

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 Johnstown compares

  • The Johnstown area ranks 13th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 2.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 16% of employer businesses in Johnstown, compared with 12% in Pennsylvania.

  • 1,390 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Johnstown area ranks 13th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 2.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 16% of employer businesses in Johnstown, compared with 12% in Pennsylvania.

  • 1,390 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 472 employer businesses

  • Retail: 470 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 467 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 290 employer businesses

  • Construction: 212 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 472 employer businesses

  • Retail: 470 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 467 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 290 employer businesses

  • Construction: 212 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 Johnstown

Repair, personal care and other services, retail, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Johnstown

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

243 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Construction & Engineering

241 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

  • General Contracting: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

  • Interior Finishing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

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

Medical Practices

198 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Retail Stores

156 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Automotive & Boat

138 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

  • Auto Repair: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 17 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: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Financial & Professional Services

111 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Manufacturing

82 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Logistics & Transportation

74 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Entertainment & Recreation

67 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

  • Bars & Pubs: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 13 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

62 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

  • Hair Salons: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

57 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Wholesale & Distribution

56 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Gas Stations & Convenience

52 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Education & Childcare

48 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

  • Daycare Centers: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

42 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Home Services

36 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Energy & Utilities

29 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Hospitality & Travel

29 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

  • Transportation Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Hotels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Health & Fitness

23 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Technology & Media

9 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

243 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Construction & Engineering

241 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

  • General Contracting: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

  • Interior Finishing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

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

Medical Practices

198 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Retail Stores

156 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Automotive & Boat

138 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

  • Auto Repair: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 17 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: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Financial & Professional Services

111 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Manufacturing

82 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Logistics & Transportation

74 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Entertainment & Recreation

67 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

  • Bars & Pubs: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 13 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

62 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

  • Hair Salons: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

57 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Wholesale & Distribution

56 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Gas Stations & Convenience

52 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Education & Childcare

48 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

  • Daycare Centers: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

42 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Home Services

36 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Energy & Utilities

29 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Hospitality & Travel

29 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

  • Transportation Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Hotels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Health & Fitness

23 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Technology & Media

9 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Johnstown.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Johnstown

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Johnstown ask

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

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 Johnstown?

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 Johnstown

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