Selling a Business in Panama City

Owners in the Panama City area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,751 employer businesses, and 87% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Panama City by the numbers

5,751

5,751

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

23,535

23,535

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

66,323

66,323

EMPLOYMENT

$3.2 billion

$3.2 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,359

2,359

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 Panama City compares

  • The Panama City area ranks 17th of 22 Florida metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 12.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 11% of employer businesses in Panama City, compared with 8% in Florida.

  • 2,359 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Panama City area ranks 17th of 22 Florida metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 12.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 11% of employer businesses in Panama City, compared with 8% in Florida.

  • 2,359 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 887 employer businesses

  • Construction: 776 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 623 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 611 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 552 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 887 employer businesses

  • Construction: 776 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 623 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 611 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 552 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 Panama City

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Panama City. 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

806 related employer businesses in Panama City.

  • General Contracting: 242 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

479 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Medical Practices

410 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Financial & Professional Services

375 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Retail Stores

356 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Home Services

195 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Automotive & Boat

165 related employer businesses in Panama City.

  • Auto Repair: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

151 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Hospitality & Travel

102 related employer businesses in Panama City.

  • Hotels: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

94 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Logistics & Transportation

89 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Beauty & Personal Care

81 related employer businesses in Panama City.

  • Hair Salons: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Manufacturing

81 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Entertainment & Recreation

68 related employer businesses in Panama City.

  • Bars & Pubs: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Arcades & FECs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 5 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

64 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Technology & Media

59 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Energy & Utilities

43 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Education & Childcare

41 related employer businesses in Panama City.

  • Daycare Centers: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

30 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Pet Services

27 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Senior Care & Living

25 related employer businesses in Panama City.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Panama City. 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

806 related employer businesses in Panama City.

  • General Contracting: 242 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

479 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Medical Practices

410 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Financial & Professional Services

375 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Retail Stores

356 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Home Services

195 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Automotive & Boat

165 related employer businesses in Panama City.

  • Auto Repair: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

151 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Hospitality & Travel

102 related employer businesses in Panama City.

  • Hotels: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

94 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Logistics & Transportation

89 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Beauty & Personal Care

81 related employer businesses in Panama City.

  • Hair Salons: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Manufacturing

81 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Entertainment & Recreation

68 related employer businesses in Panama City.

  • Bars & Pubs: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Arcades & FECs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 5 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

64 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Technology & Media

59 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Energy & Utilities

43 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Education & Childcare

41 related employer businesses in Panama City.

  • Daycare Centers: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

30 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Pet Services

27 related employer businesses in Panama City.

Senior Care & Living

25 related employer businesses in Panama City.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Panama City

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Panama City ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Panama City?

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 Panama City?

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 Panama City

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