Selling a Business in Lafayette

Owners in the Lafayette area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 11,874 employer businesses, and 86% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Lafayette by the numbers

11,874

11,874

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

44,668

44,668

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

164,940

164,940

EMPLOYMENT

$9.1 billion

$9.1 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

4,957

4,957

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 Lafayette compares

  • The Lafayette area ranks 3rd of 10 Louisiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 14% of employer businesses in Lafayette, compared with 12% in Louisiana.

  • 4,957 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Lafayette area ranks 3rd of 10 Louisiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 14% of employer businesses in Lafayette, compared with 12% in Louisiana.

  • 4,957 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 1,656 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,581 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,569 employer businesses

  • Construction: 983 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 978 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 1,656 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,581 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,569 employer businesses

  • Construction: 983 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 978 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 Lafayette

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

Medical Practices

1,030 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Construction & Engineering

1,022 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • General Contracting: 260 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 117 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 113 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 108 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Masonry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

849 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Financial & Professional Services

791 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Retail Stores

642 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Wholesale & Distribution

371 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Automotive & Boat

348 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Auto Repair: 117 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

339 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Energy & Utilities

333 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Logistics & Transportation

296 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Gas Stations & Convenience

259 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Home Services

186 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

178 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Beauty & Personal Care

141 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Hair Salons: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

126 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Hospitality & Travel

110 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Hotels: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

105 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Daycare Centers: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

105 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Bars & Pubs: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 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.

Health & Fitness

83 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Senior Care & Living

69 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Pet Services

36 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

Medical Practices

1,030 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Construction & Engineering

1,022 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • General Contracting: 260 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 117 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 113 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 108 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Masonry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

849 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Financial & Professional Services

791 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Retail Stores

642 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Wholesale & Distribution

371 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Automotive & Boat

348 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Auto Repair: 117 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

339 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Energy & Utilities

333 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Logistics & Transportation

296 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Gas Stations & Convenience

259 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Home Services

186 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

178 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Beauty & Personal Care

141 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Hair Salons: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

126 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Hospitality & Travel

110 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Hotels: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

105 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Daycare Centers: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

105 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Bars & Pubs: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 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.

Health & Fitness

83 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Senior Care & Living

69 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Pet Services

36 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Lafayette

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Lafayette ask

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

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 Lafayette?

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 Lafayette

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