Selling a Business in Visalia

Owners in the Visalia area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 7,189 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

Visalia by the numbers

7,189

7,189

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

24,952

24,952

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

107,492

107,492

EMPLOYMENT

$5.7 billion

$5.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

3,133

3,133

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 Visalia compares

  • The Visalia area ranks 17th of 25 California metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 11.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 15% of employer businesses in Visalia, compared with 10% in California.

  • 3,133 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Visalia area ranks 17th of 25 California metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 11.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 15% of employer businesses in Visalia, compared with 10% in California.

  • 3,133 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,102 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,048 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 762 employer businesses

  • Construction: 721 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 637 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,102 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,048 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 762 employer businesses

  • Construction: 721 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 637 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 Visalia

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

Restaurants & Food

819 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Construction & Engineering

738 related employer businesses in Visalia.

  • General Contracting: 190 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 128 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Medical Practices

612 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Financial & Professional Services

422 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Logistics & Transportation

364 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Retail Stores

361 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Automotive & Boat

337 related employer businesses in Visalia.

  • Auto Repair: 160 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Wholesale & Distribution

203 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Gas Stations & Convenience

197 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Manufacturing

184 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Home Services

166 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Beauty & Personal Care

83 related employer businesses in Visalia.

  • Hair Salons: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

72 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Energy & Utilities

68 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Education & Childcare

65 related employer businesses in Visalia.

  • Daycare Centers: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

64 related employer businesses in Visalia.

  • Hotels: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

62 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Health & Fitness

48 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Technology & Media

37 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Entertainment & Recreation

36 related employer businesses in Visalia.

  • Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Pet Services

20 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Land & Agriculture

19 related employer businesses in Visalia.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

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

Restaurants & Food

819 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Construction & Engineering

738 related employer businesses in Visalia.

  • General Contracting: 190 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 128 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Medical Practices

612 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Financial & Professional Services

422 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Logistics & Transportation

364 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Retail Stores

361 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Automotive & Boat

337 related employer businesses in Visalia.

  • Auto Repair: 160 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Wholesale & Distribution

203 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Gas Stations & Convenience

197 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Manufacturing

184 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Home Services

166 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Beauty & Personal Care

83 related employer businesses in Visalia.

  • Hair Salons: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

72 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Energy & Utilities

68 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Education & Childcare

65 related employer businesses in Visalia.

  • Daycare Centers: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

64 related employer businesses in Visalia.

  • Hotels: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

62 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Health & Fitness

48 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Technology & Media

37 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Entertainment & Recreation

36 related employer businesses in Visalia.

  • Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Pet Services

20 related employer businesses in Visalia.

Land & Agriculture

19 related employer businesses in Visalia.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Visalia

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Visalia ask

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

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 Visalia?

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 Visalia

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