Selling a Business in Spartanburg

Owners in the Spartanburg area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 7,817 employer businesses, and 84% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Spartanburg by the numbers

7,817

7,817

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

35,603

35,603

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

155,964

155,964

EMPLOYMENT

$8.7 billion

$8.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

3,258

3,258

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 Spartanburg compares

  • The Spartanburg area ranks 5th of 8 South Carolina metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 13.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Spartanburg, compared with 3% in South Carolina.

  • 3,258 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Spartanburg area ranks 5th of 8 South Carolina metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 13.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Spartanburg, compared with 3% in South Carolina.

  • 3,258 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,214 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 943 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 712 employer businesses

  • Construction: 712 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 701 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,214 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 943 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 712 employer businesses

  • Construction: 712 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 701 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 Spartanburg

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, construction

Every kind of business we sell in Spartanburg

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

737 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

  • General Contracting: 167 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 125 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

668 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Financial & Professional Services

429 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Retail Stores

381 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Logistics & Transportation

379 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Automotive & Boat

364 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

  • Auto Repair: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 39 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.

  • Car Washes: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

355 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Manufacturing

333 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Gas Stations & Convenience

235 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Wholesale & Distribution

223 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Home Services

116 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Senior Care & Living

98 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

89 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Beauty & Personal Care

83 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

  • Hair Salons: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 22 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.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

80 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

  • Daycare Centers: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

67 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Hospitality & Travel

67 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

  • Hotels: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 9 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

55 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Entertainment & Recreation

51 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

  • 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: 12 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.

Health & Fitness

39 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Pet Services

39 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

737 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

  • General Contracting: 167 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 125 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

668 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Financial & Professional Services

429 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Retail Stores

381 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Logistics & Transportation

379 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Automotive & Boat

364 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

  • Auto Repair: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 39 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.

  • Car Washes: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

355 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Manufacturing

333 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Gas Stations & Convenience

235 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Wholesale & Distribution

223 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Home Services

116 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Senior Care & Living

98 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

89 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Beauty & Personal Care

83 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

  • Hair Salons: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 22 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.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

80 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

  • Daycare Centers: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

67 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Hospitality & Travel

67 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

  • Hotels: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 9 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

55 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Entertainment & Recreation

51 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

  • 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: 12 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.

Health & Fitness

39 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

Pet Services

39 related employer businesses in Spartanburg.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Spartanburg

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Spartanburg ask

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

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 Spartanburg?

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 Spartanburg

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