Selling a Business in Manchester

Owners in the Manchester area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 11,028 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

Manchester by the numbers

11,028

11,028

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

33,988

33,988

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

186,868

186,868

EMPLOYMENT

$13.4 billion

$13.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

4,767

4,767

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 Manchester compares

  • The number of employer businesses was unchanged between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 11% of employer businesses in Manchester, compared with 9% in New Hampshire.

  • 4,767 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The number of employer businesses was unchanged between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 11% of employer businesses in Manchester, compared with 9% in New Hampshire.

  • 4,767 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,488 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,383 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,202 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,192 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,112 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,488 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,383 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,202 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,192 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,112 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 Manchester

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

1,636 related employer businesses in Manchester.

  • General Contracting: 365 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 256 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 245 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 206 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 206 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 182 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 144 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 130 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

900 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Medical Practices

687 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Retail Stores

651 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Financial & Professional Services

564 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Automotive & Boat

467 related employer businesses in Manchester.

  • Auto Repair: 210 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

405 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Beauty & Personal Care

248 related employer businesses in Manchester.

  • Hair Salons: 125 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

230 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Home Services

227 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Gas Stations & Convenience

209 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Logistics & Transportation

208 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Education & Childcare

139 related employer businesses in Manchester.

  • Daycare Centers: 122 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

138 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Health & Fitness

127 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

102 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Hospitality & Travel

88 related employer businesses in Manchester.

  • Hotels: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

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

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

Pet Services

81 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Senior Care & Living

77 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Entertainment & Recreation

75 related employer businesses in Manchester.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bars & Pubs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Energy & Utilities

54 related employer businesses in Manchester.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

1,636 related employer businesses in Manchester.

  • General Contracting: 365 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 256 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 245 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 206 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 206 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 182 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 144 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 130 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

900 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Medical Practices

687 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Retail Stores

651 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Financial & Professional Services

564 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Automotive & Boat

467 related employer businesses in Manchester.

  • Auto Repair: 210 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

405 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Beauty & Personal Care

248 related employer businesses in Manchester.

  • Hair Salons: 125 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

230 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Home Services

227 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Gas Stations & Convenience

209 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Logistics & Transportation

208 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Education & Childcare

139 related employer businesses in Manchester.

  • Daycare Centers: 122 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

138 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Health & Fitness

127 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

102 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Hospitality & Travel

88 related employer businesses in Manchester.

  • Hotels: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

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

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

Pet Services

81 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Senior Care & Living

77 related employer businesses in Manchester.

Entertainment & Recreation

75 related employer businesses in Manchester.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bars & Pubs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Energy & Utilities

54 related employer businesses in Manchester.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Manchester

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Manchester ask

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

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 Manchester?

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 Manchester

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