Selling a Business in Mobile

Owners in the Mobile area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 8,960 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

Mobile by the numbers

8,960

8,960

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

34,995

34,995

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

157,810

157,810

EMPLOYMENT

$8.6 billion

$8.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

4,136

4,136

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 Mobile compares

  • The Mobile area ranks 3rd of 12 Alabama metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Mobile, compared with 3% in Alabama.

  • 4,136 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Mobile area ranks 3rd of 12 Alabama metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Mobile, compared with 3% in Alabama.

  • 4,136 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,468 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 960 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 863 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 851 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 779 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,468 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 960 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 863 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 851 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 779 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 Mobile

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, professional and technical services

Every kind of business we sell in Mobile

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

837 related employer businesses in Mobile.

  • General Contracting: 181 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 135 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 135 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 100 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 99 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

Restaurants & Food

734 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Financial & Professional Services

533 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Retail Stores

533 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Medical Practices

499 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Automotive & Boat

402 related employer businesses in Mobile.

  • Auto Parts: 124 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Auto Repair: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 28 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: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

356 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Wholesale & Distribution

266 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Gas Stations & Convenience

256 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Manufacturing

231 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Home Services

165 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Beauty & Personal Care

134 related employer businesses in Mobile.

  • Hair Salons: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

129 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Hospitality & Travel

108 related employer businesses in Mobile.

  • Hotels: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Education & Childcare

83 related employer businesses in Mobile.

  • Daycare Centers: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

81 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Energy & Utilities

77 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Health & Fitness

70 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Entertainment & Recreation

54 related employer businesses in Mobile.

  • Bars & Pubs: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 13 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.

Senior Care & Living

50 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Pet Services

32 related employer businesses in Mobile.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

837 related employer businesses in Mobile.

  • General Contracting: 181 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 135 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 135 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 100 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 99 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

Restaurants & Food

734 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Financial & Professional Services

533 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Retail Stores

533 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Medical Practices

499 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Automotive & Boat

402 related employer businesses in Mobile.

  • Auto Parts: 124 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Auto Repair: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 28 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: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

356 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Wholesale & Distribution

266 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Gas Stations & Convenience

256 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Manufacturing

231 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Home Services

165 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Beauty & Personal Care

134 related employer businesses in Mobile.

  • Hair Salons: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

129 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Hospitality & Travel

108 related employer businesses in Mobile.

  • Hotels: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Education & Childcare

83 related employer businesses in Mobile.

  • Daycare Centers: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

81 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Energy & Utilities

77 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Health & Fitness

70 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Entertainment & Recreation

54 related employer businesses in Mobile.

  • Bars & Pubs: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 13 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.

Senior Care & Living

50 related employer businesses in Mobile.

Pet Services

32 related employer businesses in Mobile.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Mobile

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Mobile ask

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

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 Mobile?

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 Mobile

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