Selling a Business in Tallahassee

Owners in the Tallahassee area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 9,695 employer businesses, and 86% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Tallahassee by the numbers

9,695

9,695

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

34,606

34,606

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

123,521

123,521

EMPLOYMENT

$6.7 billion

$6.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

4,057

4,057

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 Tallahassee compares

  • The Tallahassee area ranks 13th of 22 Florida metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 7.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 11% of employer businesses in Tallahassee, compared with 9% in Florida.

  • 4,057 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Tallahassee area ranks 13th of 22 Florida metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 7.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 11% of employer businesses in Tallahassee, compared with 9% in Florida.

  • 4,057 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 1,611 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,213 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,037 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,015 employer businesses

  • Construction: 988 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 1,611 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,213 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,037 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,015 employer businesses

  • Construction: 988 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 Tallahassee

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

1,186 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

  • General Contracting: 280 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 200 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 180 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 134 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 134 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 132 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

772 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Medical Practices

612 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Financial & Professional Services

556 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Retail Stores

452 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Automotive & Boat

317 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

  • Auto Repair: 124 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 27 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: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

273 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Gas Stations & Convenience

184 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Technology & Media

181 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Beauty & Personal Care

172 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

  • Hair Salons: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Logistics & Transportation

145 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Wholesale & Distribution

138 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Education & Childcare

122 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

  • Daycare Centers: 110 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

116 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Manufacturing

109 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Hospitality & Travel

89 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

  • Hotels: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

80 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Entertainment & Recreation

70 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

  • Bars & Pubs: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 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.

Senior Care & Living

58 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Pet Services

45 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Energy & Utilities

41 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

1,186 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

  • General Contracting: 280 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 200 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 180 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 134 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 134 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 132 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

772 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Medical Practices

612 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Financial & Professional Services

556 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Retail Stores

452 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Automotive & Boat

317 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

  • Auto Repair: 124 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 27 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: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

273 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Gas Stations & Convenience

184 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Technology & Media

181 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Beauty & Personal Care

172 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

  • Hair Salons: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Logistics & Transportation

145 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Wholesale & Distribution

138 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Education & Childcare

122 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

  • Daycare Centers: 110 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

116 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Manufacturing

109 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Hospitality & Travel

89 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

  • Hotels: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

80 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Entertainment & Recreation

70 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

  • Bars & Pubs: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 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.

Senior Care & Living

58 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Pet Services

45 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

Energy & Utilities

41 related employer businesses in Tallahassee.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Tallahassee

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Tallahassee ask

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

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 Tallahassee?

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 Tallahassee

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