Selling a Business in Lake Charles

Owners in the Lake Charles area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,463 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

Lake Charles by the numbers

5,463

5,463

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

18,635

18,635

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

84,232

84,232

EMPLOYMENT

$4.8 billion

$4.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,548

2,548

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 Lake Charles compares

  • The Lake Charles area ranks 6th of 10 Louisiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Lake Charles, compared with 4% in Louisiana.

  • 2,548 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Lake Charles area ranks 6th of 10 Louisiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Lake Charles, compared with 4% in Louisiana.

  • 2,548 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 895 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 668 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 564 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 522 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 496 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 895 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 668 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 564 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 522 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 496 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 Lake Charles

Retail, health care and social assistance, professional and technical services, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Lake Charles

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Lake Charles. 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

552 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

  • General Contracting: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Roofing & Siding: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Restaurants & Food

423 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Medical Practices

397 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Retail Stores

329 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Financial & Professional Services

301 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Gas Stations & Convenience

216 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Automotive & Boat

180 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

  • Auto Repair: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Car Washes: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

157 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Wholesale & Distribution

143 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Manufacturing

124 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Home Services

95 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Energy & Utilities

93 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

73 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Hospitality & Travel

71 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

  • Hotels: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

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

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

68 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

  • 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: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 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

58 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

  • Hair Salons: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 15 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.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

45 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

  • Daycare Centers: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

45 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Technology & Media

34 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Pet Services

12 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Lake Charles. 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

552 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

  • General Contracting: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Roofing & Siding: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Restaurants & Food

423 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Medical Practices

397 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Retail Stores

329 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Financial & Professional Services

301 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Gas Stations & Convenience

216 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Automotive & Boat

180 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

  • Auto Repair: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Car Washes: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

157 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Wholesale & Distribution

143 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Manufacturing

124 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Home Services

95 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Energy & Utilities

93 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

73 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Hospitality & Travel

71 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

  • Hotels: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

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

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

68 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

  • 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: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 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

58 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

  • Hair Salons: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 15 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.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

45 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

  • Daycare Centers: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

45 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Technology & Media

34 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

Pet Services

12 related employer businesses in Lake Charles.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Lake Charles

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Lake Charles ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Lake Charles?

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 Lake Charles?

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 Lake Charles

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