Selling a Business in Pocatello

Owners in the Pocatello area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,353 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

Pocatello by the numbers

2,353

2,353

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

6,637

6,637

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

28,575

28,575

EMPLOYMENT

$1.3 billion

$1.3 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,021

1,021

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 Pocatello compares

  • The Pocatello area ranks 5th of 6 Idaho metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 11.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 20% of employer businesses in Pocatello, compared with 12% in Idaho.

  • 1,021 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Pocatello area ranks 5th of 6 Idaho metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 11.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 20% of employer businesses in Pocatello, compared with 12% in Idaho.

  • 1,021 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 460 employer businesses

  • Retail: 317 employer businesses

  • Construction: 300 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 225 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 195 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 460 employer businesses

  • Retail: 317 employer businesses

  • Construction: 300 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 225 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 195 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 Pocatello

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

324 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

  • General Contracting: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Medical Practices

286 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Restaurants & Food

168 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Financial & Professional Services

156 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Retail Stores

108 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Automotive & Boat

90 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

  • Auto Repair: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

48 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Wholesale & Distribution

47 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Hospitality & Travel

41 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

  • Hotels: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

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

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Manufacturing

41 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Gas Stations & Convenience

38 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Home Services

34 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Beauty & Personal Care

32 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

  • Hair Salons: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

30 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Education & Childcare

29 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

  • Daycare Centers: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

29 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

  • Bars & Pubs: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x 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.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Health & Fitness

26 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Technology & Media

15 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Energy & Utilities

11 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

324 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

  • General Contracting: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Medical Practices

286 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Restaurants & Food

168 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Financial & Professional Services

156 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Retail Stores

108 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Automotive & Boat

90 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

  • Auto Repair: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

48 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Wholesale & Distribution

47 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Hospitality & Travel

41 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

  • Hotels: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

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

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Manufacturing

41 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Gas Stations & Convenience

38 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Home Services

34 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Beauty & Personal Care

32 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

  • Hair Salons: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

30 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Education & Childcare

29 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

  • Daycare Centers: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

29 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

  • Bars & Pubs: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x 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.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Health & Fitness

26 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Technology & Media

15 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Energy & Utilities

11 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Pocatello.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Pocatello

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Pocatello ask

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

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 Pocatello?

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 Pocatello

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