Selling a Business in Sierra Vista

Owners in the Sierra Vista area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,189 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

Sierra Vista by the numbers

2,189

2,189

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

7,736

7,736

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

26,077

26,077

EMPLOYMENT

$1.2 billion

$1.2 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

990

990

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 Sierra Vista compares

  • The Sierra Vista area ranks 7th of 7 Arizona metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 17% of employer businesses in Sierra Vista, compared with 11% in Arizona.

  • 990 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Sierra Vista area ranks 7th of 7 Arizona metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 17% of employer businesses in Sierra Vista, compared with 11% in Arizona.

  • 990 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 366 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 275 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 272 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 245 employer businesses

  • Construction: 223 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 366 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 275 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 272 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 245 employer businesses

  • Construction: 223 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

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Sierra Vista

Retail, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service, repair, personal care and other services

Every kind of business we sell in Sierra Vista

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Sierra Vista. 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

224 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

  • General Contracting: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

201 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Medical Practices

142 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Financial & Professional Services

130 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Retail Stores

125 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Automotive & Boat

90 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

  • Auto Repair: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Gas Stations & Convenience

62 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Logistics & Transportation

59 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Hospitality & Travel

56 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

  • Hotels: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 41 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.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

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

Home Services

46 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Energy & Utilities

31 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Entertainment & Recreation

31 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

  • Bars & Pubs: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x 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.

Education & Childcare

27 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

  • Daycare Centers: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Manufacturing

26 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Beauty & Personal Care

25 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

  • Hair Salons: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

23 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Health & Fitness

20 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Pet Services

16 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Wholesale & Distribution

11 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Senior Care & Living

10 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Technology & Media

3 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Sierra Vista. 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

224 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

  • General Contracting: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

201 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Medical Practices

142 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Financial & Professional Services

130 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Retail Stores

125 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Automotive & Boat

90 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

  • Auto Repair: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Gas Stations & Convenience

62 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Logistics & Transportation

59 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Hospitality & Travel

56 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

  • Hotels: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 41 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.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

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

Home Services

46 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Energy & Utilities

31 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Entertainment & Recreation

31 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

  • Bars & Pubs: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x 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.

Education & Childcare

27 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

  • Daycare Centers: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Manufacturing

26 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Beauty & Personal Care

25 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

  • Hair Salons: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

23 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Health & Fitness

20 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Pet Services

16 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Wholesale & Distribution

11 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Senior Care & Living

10 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

Technology & Media

3 related employer businesses in Sierra Vista.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Sierra Vista

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Sierra Vista ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Sierra Vista?

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 Sierra Vista?

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 Sierra Vista

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