Selling a Business in Longview

Owners in the Longview area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,309 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

Longview by the numbers

2,309

2,309

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

5,536

5,536

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

33,796

33,796

EMPLOYMENT

$2.0 billion

$2.0 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,045

1,045

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 Longview compares

  • The Longview area ranks 10th of 11 Washington metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 4.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Longview, compared with 3% in Washington.

  • 1,045 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Longview area ranks 10th of 11 Washington metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 4.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Longview, compared with 3% in Washington.

  • 1,045 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 319 employer businesses

  • Construction: 315 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 240 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 235 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 231 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 319 employer businesses

  • Construction: 315 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 240 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 235 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 231 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 Longview

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

320 related employer businesses in Longview.

  • General Contracting: 99 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

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

  • Landscaping: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • HVAC Services: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

203 related employer businesses in Longview.

Financial & Professional Services

153 related employer businesses in Longview.

Retail Stores

109 related employer businesses in Longview.

Automotive & Boat

95 related employer businesses in Longview.

  • Auto Repair: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 12 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: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Medical Practices

95 related employer businesses in Longview.

Logistics & Transportation

91 related employer businesses in Longview.

Manufacturing

87 related employer businesses in Longview.

Gas Stations & Convenience

55 related employer businesses in Longview.

Home Services

50 related employer businesses in Longview.

Wholesale & Distribution

41 related employer businesses in Longview.

Beauty & Personal Care

39 related employer businesses in Longview.

  • Nail Salons: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

32 related employer businesses in Longview.

  • Hotels: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

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

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Longview.

Entertainment & Recreation

23 related employer businesses in Longview.

  • Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

Education & Childcare

20 related employer businesses in Longview.

  • Daycare Centers: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

20 related employer businesses in Longview.

Technology & Media

15 related employer businesses in Longview.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

12 related employer businesses in Longview.

Pet Services

10 related employer businesses in Longview.

Energy & Utilities

8 related employer businesses in Longview.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

320 related employer businesses in Longview.

  • General Contracting: 99 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

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

  • Landscaping: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • HVAC Services: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

203 related employer businesses in Longview.

Financial & Professional Services

153 related employer businesses in Longview.

Retail Stores

109 related employer businesses in Longview.

Automotive & Boat

95 related employer businesses in Longview.

  • Auto Repair: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 12 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: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Medical Practices

95 related employer businesses in Longview.

Logistics & Transportation

91 related employer businesses in Longview.

Manufacturing

87 related employer businesses in Longview.

Gas Stations & Convenience

55 related employer businesses in Longview.

Home Services

50 related employer businesses in Longview.

Wholesale & Distribution

41 related employer businesses in Longview.

Beauty & Personal Care

39 related employer businesses in Longview.

  • Nail Salons: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

32 related employer businesses in Longview.

  • Hotels: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

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

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Longview.

Entertainment & Recreation

23 related employer businesses in Longview.

  • Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

Education & Childcare

20 related employer businesses in Longview.

  • Daycare Centers: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

20 related employer businesses in Longview.

Technology & Media

15 related employer businesses in Longview.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

12 related employer businesses in Longview.

Pet Services

10 related employer businesses in Longview.

Energy & Utilities

8 related employer businesses in Longview.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Longview

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Longview ask

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

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 Longview?

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 Longview

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