Selling a Business in Kingsport

Owners in the Kingsport area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 6,020 employer businesses, and 83% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Kingsport by the numbers

6,020

6,020

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

21,042

21,042

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

101,022

101,022

EMPLOYMENT

$5.5 billion

$5.5 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,770

2,770

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 Kingsport compares

  • The Kingsport area ranks 5th of 10 Tennessee metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 19% of employer businesses in Kingsport, compared with 16% in Tennessee.

  • 2,770 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Kingsport area ranks 5th of 10 Tennessee metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 19% of employer businesses in Kingsport, compared with 16% in Tennessee.

  • 2,770 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,114 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 778 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 686 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 639 employer businesses

  • Construction: 491 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,114 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 778 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 686 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 639 employer businesses

  • Construction: 491 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 Kingsport

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

Every kind of business we sell in Kingsport

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

580 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Construction & Engineering

535 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

  • General Contracting: 152 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

528 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Retail Stores

381 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Financial & Professional Services

304 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Automotive & Boat

287 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

  • Auto Repair: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 29 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.

  • Towing & Repo: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 7 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

220 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Gas Stations & Convenience

204 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Logistics & Transportation

172 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Wholesale & Distribution

110 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

109 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Home Services

82 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Hospitality & Travel

77 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

  • Hotels: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

66 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

  • Hair Salons: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 22 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.

Health & Fitness

56 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Education & Childcare

42 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

  • Daycare Centers: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

42 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 23 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: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • 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.

Technology & Media

41 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Senior Care & Living

35 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Energy & Utilities

33 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Pet Services

21 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

580 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Construction & Engineering

535 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

  • General Contracting: 152 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

528 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Retail Stores

381 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Financial & Professional Services

304 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Automotive & Boat

287 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

  • Auto Repair: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 29 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.

  • Towing & Repo: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 7 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

220 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Gas Stations & Convenience

204 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Logistics & Transportation

172 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Wholesale & Distribution

110 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

109 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Home Services

82 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Hospitality & Travel

77 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

  • Hotels: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

66 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

  • Hair Salons: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 22 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.

Health & Fitness

56 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Education & Childcare

42 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

  • Daycare Centers: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

42 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 23 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: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • 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.

Technology & Media

41 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Senior Care & Living

35 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Energy & Utilities

33 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

Pet Services

21 related employer businesses in Kingsport.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Kingsport

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Kingsport ask

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

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 Kingsport?

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 Kingsport

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