Selling a Business in Lexington

Owners in the Lexington area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 13,490 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

Lexington by the numbers

13,490

13,490

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

45,632

45,632

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

240,076

240,076

EMPLOYMENT

$13.2 billion

$13.2 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

5,781

5,781

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 Lexington compares

  • The Lexington area ranks 2nd of 6 Kentucky metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 7.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Lexington, compared with 9% in Kentucky.

  • 5,781 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Lexington area ranks 2nd of 6 Kentucky metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 7.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Lexington, compared with 9% in Kentucky.

  • 5,781 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,848 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,729 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,637 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,304 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,251 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,848 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,729 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,637 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,304 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,251 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 Lexington

Health care and social assistance, retail, professional and technical services, repair, personal care and other services

Every kind of business we sell in Lexington

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

1,296 related employer businesses in Lexington.

  • General Contracting: 336 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 184 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 184 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 174 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 171 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 137 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 126 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

Medical Practices

1,155 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Restaurants & Food

1,129 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Financial & Professional Services

918 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Retail Stores

726 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Automotive & Boat

380 related employer businesses in Lexington.

  • Auto Repair: 137 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Collision Repair: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 26 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.

Manufacturing

337 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Logistics & Transportation

324 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Home Services

270 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Wholesale & Distribution

257 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Beauty & Personal Care

224 related employer businesses in Lexington.

  • Hair Salons: 127 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

214 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Gas Stations & Convenience

202 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

191 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Senior Care & Living

167 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Health & Fitness

161 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Education & Childcare

136 related employer businesses in Lexington.

  • Daycare Centers: 127 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

135 related employer businesses in Lexington.

  • Hotels: 107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

130 related employer businesses in Lexington.

  • Bars & Pubs: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 14 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.

Pet Services

64 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Energy & Utilities

57 related employer businesses in Lexington.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

1,296 related employer businesses in Lexington.

  • General Contracting: 336 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 184 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 184 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 174 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 171 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 137 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 126 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

Medical Practices

1,155 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Restaurants & Food

1,129 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Financial & Professional Services

918 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Retail Stores

726 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Automotive & Boat

380 related employer businesses in Lexington.

  • Auto Repair: 137 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Collision Repair: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 26 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.

Manufacturing

337 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Logistics & Transportation

324 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Home Services

270 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Wholesale & Distribution

257 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Beauty & Personal Care

224 related employer businesses in Lexington.

  • Hair Salons: 127 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

214 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Gas Stations & Convenience

202 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

191 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Senior Care & Living

167 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Health & Fitness

161 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Education & Childcare

136 related employer businesses in Lexington.

  • Daycare Centers: 127 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

135 related employer businesses in Lexington.

  • Hotels: 107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

130 related employer businesses in Lexington.

  • Bars & Pubs: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 14 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.

Pet Services

64 related employer businesses in Lexington.

Energy & Utilities

57 related employer businesses in Lexington.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Lexington

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Lexington ask

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

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 Lexington?

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 Lexington

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