Selling a Business in Staunton

Owners in the Staunton area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,819 employer businesses, and 85% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Staunton by the numbers

2,819

2,819

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

9,137

9,137

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

41,838

41,838

EMPLOYMENT

$2.1 billion

$2.1 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,205

1,205

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 Staunton compares

  • The Staunton area ranks 9th of 9 Virginia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Staunton, compared with 3% in Virginia.

  • 1,205 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Staunton area ranks 9th of 9 Virginia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Staunton, compared with 3% in Virginia.

  • 1,205 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 417 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 404 employer businesses

  • Construction: 351 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 267 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 253 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 417 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 404 employer businesses

  • Construction: 351 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 267 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 253 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 Staunton

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

374 related employer businesses in Staunton.

  • General Contracting: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

230 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Financial & Professional Services

164 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Medical Practices

157 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Retail Stores

136 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Automotive & Boat

121 related employer businesses in Staunton.

  • Auto Repair: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

114 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Manufacturing

87 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Gas Stations & Convenience

75 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Home Services

55 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Hospitality & Travel

49 related employer businesses in Staunton.

  • Hotels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

49 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Beauty & Personal Care

42 related employer businesses in Staunton.

  • Hair Salons: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 6 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

25 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Health & Fitness

20 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Pet Services

19 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Technology & Media

18 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Education & Childcare

14 related employer businesses in Staunton.

  • Daycare Centers: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

14 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Entertainment & Recreation

10 related employer businesses in Staunton.

  • Bars & Pubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x 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.

Energy & Utilities

4 related employer businesses in Staunton.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

374 related employer businesses in Staunton.

  • General Contracting: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

230 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Financial & Professional Services

164 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Medical Practices

157 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Retail Stores

136 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Automotive & Boat

121 related employer businesses in Staunton.

  • Auto Repair: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

114 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Manufacturing

87 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Gas Stations & Convenience

75 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Home Services

55 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Hospitality & Travel

49 related employer businesses in Staunton.

  • Hotels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

49 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Beauty & Personal Care

42 related employer businesses in Staunton.

  • Hair Salons: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 6 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

25 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Health & Fitness

20 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Pet Services

19 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Technology & Media

18 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Education & Childcare

14 related employer businesses in Staunton.

  • Daycare Centers: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

14 related employer businesses in Staunton.

Entertainment & Recreation

10 related employer businesses in Staunton.

  • Bars & Pubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x 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.

Energy & Utilities

4 related employer businesses in Staunton.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Staunton

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Staunton ask

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

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 Staunton?

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 Staunton

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