Selling a Business in St. George

Owners in the St. George area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 7,191 employer businesses, and 89% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

St. George by the numbers

7,191

7,191

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

21,695

21,695

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

69,411

69,411

EMPLOYMENT

$3.1 billion

$3.1 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,480

2,480

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 St. George compares

  • The St. George area ranks 4th of 5 Utah metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 33.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 19% of employer businesses in St. George, compared with 14% in Utah.

  • 2,480 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The St. George area ranks 4th of 5 Utah metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 33.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 19% of employer businesses in St. George, compared with 14% in Utah.

  • 2,480 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 1,335 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 933 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 816 employer businesses

  • Retail: 766 employer businesses

  • Real estate and rental: 541 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 1,335 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 933 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 816 employer businesses

  • Retail: 766 employer businesses

  • Real estate and rental: 541 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 St. George

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in St. George. 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

1,407 related employer businesses in St. George.

  • General Contracting: 347 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 293 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 144 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 144 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 93 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

670 related employer businesses in St. George.

Medical Practices

525 related employer businesses in St. George.

Restaurants & Food

391 related employer businesses in St. George.

Retail Stores

298 related employer businesses in St. George.

Home Services

221 related employer businesses in St. George.

Automotive & Boat

199 related employer businesses in St. George.

  • Auto Repair: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Manufacturing

187 related employer businesses in St. George.

Logistics & Transportation

166 related employer businesses in St. George.

Technology & Media

145 related employer businesses in St. George.

Hospitality & Travel

118 related employer businesses in St. George.

  • Hotels: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 6 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

113 related employer businesses in St. George.

  • Hair Salons: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

  • Barber Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

89 related employer businesses in St. George.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

70 related employer businesses in St. George.

Health & Fitness

67 related employer businesses in St. George.

Gas Stations & Convenience

56 related employer businesses in St. George.

Senior Care & Living

52 related employer businesses in St. George.

Entertainment & Recreation

44 related employer businesses in St. George.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 23 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: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x 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.

Energy & Utilities

33 related employer businesses in St. George.

Pet Services

31 related employer businesses in St. George.

Education & Childcare

20 related employer businesses in St. George.

  • Daycare Centers: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in St. George. 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

1,407 related employer businesses in St. George.

  • General Contracting: 347 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 293 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 144 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 144 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 93 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

670 related employer businesses in St. George.

Medical Practices

525 related employer businesses in St. George.

Restaurants & Food

391 related employer businesses in St. George.

Retail Stores

298 related employer businesses in St. George.

Home Services

221 related employer businesses in St. George.

Automotive & Boat

199 related employer businesses in St. George.

  • Auto Repair: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Manufacturing

187 related employer businesses in St. George.

Logistics & Transportation

166 related employer businesses in St. George.

Technology & Media

145 related employer businesses in St. George.

Hospitality & Travel

118 related employer businesses in St. George.

  • Hotels: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 6 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

113 related employer businesses in St. George.

  • Hair Salons: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

  • Barber Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

89 related employer businesses in St. George.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

70 related employer businesses in St. George.

Health & Fitness

67 related employer businesses in St. George.

Gas Stations & Convenience

56 related employer businesses in St. George.

Senior Care & Living

52 related employer businesses in St. George.

Entertainment & Recreation

44 related employer businesses in St. George.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 23 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: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x 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.

Energy & Utilities

33 related employer businesses in St. George.

Pet Services

31 related employer businesses in St. George.

Education & Childcare

20 related employer businesses in St. George.

  • Daycare Centers: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in St. George

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in St. George ask

How long does it take to sell a business in St. George?

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 St. George?

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 St. George

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