Selling a Business in Napa

Owners in the Napa area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 4,486 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

Napa by the numbers

4,486

4,486

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

11,956

11,956

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

66,372

66,372

EMPLOYMENT

$4.5 billion

$4.5 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,831

1,831

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 Napa compares

  • The Napa area ranks 21st of 25 California metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 12% of employer businesses in Napa, compared with 3% in California.

  • 1,831 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Napa area ranks 21st of 25 California metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 12% of employer businesses in Napa, compared with 3% in California.

  • 1,831 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Manufacturing: 525 employer businesses

  • Construction: 504 employer businesses

  • Retail: 483 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 478 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 470 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Manufacturing: 525 employer businesses

  • Construction: 504 employer businesses

  • Retail: 483 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 478 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 470 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 Napa

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

573 related employer businesses in Napa.

  • General Contracting: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

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

  • Interior Finishing: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Manufacturing

511 related employer businesses in Napa.

Restaurants & Food

369 related employer businesses in Napa.

Medical Practices

260 related employer businesses in Napa.

Financial & Professional Services

240 related employer businesses in Napa.

Retail Stores

181 related employer businesses in Napa.

Wholesale & Distribution

117 related employer businesses in Napa.

Home Services

103 related employer businesses in Napa.

Hospitality & Travel

102 related employer businesses in Napa.

  • Hotels: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

96 related employer businesses in Napa.

Automotive & Boat

83 related employer businesses in Napa.

  • Auto Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Technology & Media

78 related employer businesses in Napa.

Beauty & Personal Care

68 related employer businesses in Napa.

  • Nail Salons: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

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

Gas Stations & Convenience

58 related employer businesses in Napa.

Education & Childcare

46 related employer businesses in Napa.

  • Daycare Centers: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

45 related employer businesses in Napa.

  • Bars & Pubs: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 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

45 related employer businesses in Napa.

Health & Fitness

40 related employer businesses in Napa.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

30 related employer businesses in Napa.

Energy & Utilities

21 related employer businesses in Napa.

Pet Services

18 related employer businesses in Napa.

Land & Agriculture

3 related employer businesses in Napa.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

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

573 related employer businesses in Napa.

  • General Contracting: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

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

  • Interior Finishing: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Manufacturing

511 related employer businesses in Napa.

Restaurants & Food

369 related employer businesses in Napa.

Medical Practices

260 related employer businesses in Napa.

Financial & Professional Services

240 related employer businesses in Napa.

Retail Stores

181 related employer businesses in Napa.

Wholesale & Distribution

117 related employer businesses in Napa.

Home Services

103 related employer businesses in Napa.

Hospitality & Travel

102 related employer businesses in Napa.

  • Hotels: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

96 related employer businesses in Napa.

Automotive & Boat

83 related employer businesses in Napa.

  • Auto Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Technology & Media

78 related employer businesses in Napa.

Beauty & Personal Care

68 related employer businesses in Napa.

  • Nail Salons: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

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

Gas Stations & Convenience

58 related employer businesses in Napa.

Education & Childcare

46 related employer businesses in Napa.

  • Daycare Centers: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

45 related employer businesses in Napa.

  • Bars & Pubs: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 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

45 related employer businesses in Napa.

Health & Fitness

40 related employer businesses in Napa.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

30 related employer businesses in Napa.

Energy & Utilities

21 related employer businesses in Napa.

Pet Services

18 related employer businesses in Napa.

Land & Agriculture

3 related employer businesses in Napa.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Napa

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Napa ask

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

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 Napa?

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 Napa

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