Selling a Business in Ocala

Owners in the Ocala area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 8,389 employer businesses, and 88% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Ocala by the numbers

8,389

8,389

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

88%

88%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

40,715

40,715

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

101,916

101,916

EMPLOYMENT

$4.8 billion

$4.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

3,071

3,071

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 Ocala compares

  • The Ocala area ranks 15th of 22 Florida metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 16.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 13% of employer businesses in Ocala, compared with 11% in Florida.

  • 3,071 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Ocala area ranks 15th of 22 Florida metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 16.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 13% of employer businesses in Ocala, compared with 11% in Florida.

  • 3,071 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,177 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,112 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,016 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 809 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 805 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,177 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,112 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,016 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 809 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 805 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 Ocala

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

1,232 related employer businesses in Ocala.

  • General Contracting: 276 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 247 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 243 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 156 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 156 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

720 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Financial & Professional Services

606 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Restaurants & Food

539 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Retail Stores

404 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Automotive & Boat

348 related employer businesses in Ocala.

  • Auto Repair: 134 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Towing & Repo: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

304 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Gas Stations & Convenience

204 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Home Services

189 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Manufacturing

164 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Wholesale & Distribution

160 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Beauty & Personal Care

145 related employer businesses in Ocala.

  • Hair Salons: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

95 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Technology & Media

85 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Hospitality & Travel

71 related employer businesses in Ocala.

  • Hotels: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

62 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Education & Childcare

59 related employer businesses in Ocala.

  • Daycare Centers: 50 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.

Energy & Utilities

56 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Entertainment & Recreation

55 related employer businesses in Ocala.

  • Bars & Pubs: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 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.

Health & Fitness

55 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Pet Services

55 related employer businesses in Ocala.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

1,232 related employer businesses in Ocala.

  • General Contracting: 276 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 247 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 243 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 156 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 156 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

720 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Financial & Professional Services

606 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Restaurants & Food

539 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Retail Stores

404 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Automotive & Boat

348 related employer businesses in Ocala.

  • Auto Repair: 134 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Towing & Repo: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

304 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Gas Stations & Convenience

204 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Home Services

189 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Manufacturing

164 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Wholesale & Distribution

160 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Beauty & Personal Care

145 related employer businesses in Ocala.

  • Hair Salons: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

95 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Technology & Media

85 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Hospitality & Travel

71 related employer businesses in Ocala.

  • Hotels: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

62 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Education & Childcare

59 related employer businesses in Ocala.

  • Daycare Centers: 50 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.

Energy & Utilities

56 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Entertainment & Recreation

55 related employer businesses in Ocala.

  • Bars & Pubs: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 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.

Health & Fitness

55 related employer businesses in Ocala.

Pet Services

55 related employer businesses in Ocala.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Ocala

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Ocala ask

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

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 Ocala?

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 Ocala

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