Selling a Business in Pensacola

Owners in the Pensacola area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 11,092 employer businesses, and 86% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Pensacola by the numbers

11,092

11,092

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

46,993

46,993

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

153,044

153,044

EMPLOYMENT

$8.0 billion

$8.0 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

4,193

4,193

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 Pensacola compares

  • The Pensacola area ranks 12th of 22 Florida metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 14.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 14% of employer businesses in Pensacola, compared with 12% in Florida.

  • 4,193 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Pensacola area ranks 12th of 22 Florida metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 14.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 14% of employer businesses in Pensacola, compared with 12% in Florida.

  • 4,193 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,534 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,440 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,327 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,241 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,060 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,534 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,440 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,327 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,241 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,060 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 Pensacola

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

1,457 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

  • General Contracting: 405 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 233 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 190 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 176 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 176 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 31 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: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

878 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Restaurants & Food

860 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Financial & Professional Services

817 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Retail Stores

562 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Automotive & Boat

382 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

  • Auto Repair: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

256 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Gas Stations & Convenience

255 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Logistics & Transportation

224 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Beauty & Personal Care

206 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

  • Hair Salons: 116 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

184 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Manufacturing

169 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

134 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Technology & Media

133 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Hospitality & Travel

96 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

  • Hotels: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Education & Childcare

90 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

  • Daycare Centers: 87 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

80 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

  • Bars & Pubs: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 47 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: 9 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.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 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.

Senior Care & Living

78 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Energy & Utilities

77 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Health & Fitness

75 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Pet Services

37 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

1,457 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

  • General Contracting: 405 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 233 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 190 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 176 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 176 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 31 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: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

878 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Restaurants & Food

860 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Financial & Professional Services

817 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Retail Stores

562 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Automotive & Boat

382 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

  • Auto Repair: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

256 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Gas Stations & Convenience

255 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Logistics & Transportation

224 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Beauty & Personal Care

206 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

  • Hair Salons: 116 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

184 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Manufacturing

169 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

134 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Technology & Media

133 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Hospitality & Travel

96 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

  • Hotels: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Education & Childcare

90 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

  • Daycare Centers: 87 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

80 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

  • Bars & Pubs: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 47 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: 9 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.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 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.

Senior Care & Living

78 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Energy & Utilities

77 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Health & Fitness

75 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

Pet Services

37 related employer businesses in Pensacola.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Pensacola

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Pensacola ask

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

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 Pensacola?

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 Pensacola

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