Selling a Business in Tuscaloosa

Owners in the Tuscaloosa area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 4,705 employer businesses, and 83% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Tuscaloosa by the numbers

4,705

4,705

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

19,128

19,128

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

89,956

89,956

EMPLOYMENT

$5.2 billion

$5.2 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,249

2,249

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 Tuscaloosa compares

  • The Tuscaloosa area ranks 6th of 12 Alabama metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 11% of employer businesses in Tuscaloosa, compared with 10% in Alabama.

  • 2,249 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Tuscaloosa area ranks 6th of 12 Alabama metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 11% of employer businesses in Tuscaloosa, compared with 10% in Alabama.

  • 2,249 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 807 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 541 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 524 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 481 employer businesses

  • Construction: 463 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 807 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 541 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 524 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 481 employer businesses

  • Construction: 463 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 Tuscaloosa

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

Every kind of business we sell in Tuscaloosa

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

504 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

  • General Contracting: 115 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

443 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Retail Stores

317 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Medical Practices

301 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Financial & Professional Services

245 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Gas Stations & Convenience

162 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Automotive & Boat

154 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

  • Auto Repair: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

149 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Manufacturing

130 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Home Services

84 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Beauty & Personal Care

78 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

  • Hair Salons: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

74 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

62 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Hospitality & Travel

52 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

  • Hotels: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

44 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

  • Bars & Pubs: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 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.

  • 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

42 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

  • Daycare Centers: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

38 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Health & Fitness

33 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Senior Care & Living

32 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Technology & Media

24 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Pet Services

17 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

504 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

  • General Contracting: 115 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

443 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Retail Stores

317 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Medical Practices

301 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Financial & Professional Services

245 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Gas Stations & Convenience

162 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Automotive & Boat

154 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

  • Auto Repair: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

149 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Manufacturing

130 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Home Services

84 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Beauty & Personal Care

78 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

  • Hair Salons: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

74 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

62 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Hospitality & Travel

52 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

  • Hotels: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

44 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

  • Bars & Pubs: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 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.

  • 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

42 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

  • Daycare Centers: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

38 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Health & Fitness

33 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Senior Care & Living

32 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Technology & Media

24 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

Pet Services

17 related employer businesses in Tuscaloosa.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Tuscaloosa

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Tuscaloosa ask

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

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 Tuscaloosa?

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 Tuscaloosa

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