Selling a Business in Walla Walla

Owners in the Walla Walla area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 1,491 employer businesses, and 87% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Walla Walla by the numbers

1,491

1,491

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

3,800

3,800

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

21,372

21,372

EMPLOYMENT

$1.1 billion

$1.1 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

628

628

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 Walla Walla compares

  • The Walla Walla area ranks 11th of 11 Washington metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 9% of employer businesses in Walla Walla, compared with 3% in Washington.

  • 628 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Walla Walla area ranks 11th of 11 Washington metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 9% of employer businesses in Walla Walla, compared with 3% in Washington.

  • 628 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 185 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 178 employer businesses

  • Retail: 174 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 155 employer businesses

  • Manufacturing: 137 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 185 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 178 employer businesses

  • Retail: 174 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 155 employer businesses

  • Manufacturing: 137 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 Walla Walla

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

208 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

  • General Contracting: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

133 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Manufacturing

119 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Financial & Professional Services

81 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Medical Practices

80 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Retail Stores

58 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Home Services

37 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Automotive & Boat

29 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

  • Auto Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

23 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

  • Hotels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

23 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Logistics & Transportation

21 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Senior Care & Living

20 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Gas Stations & Convenience

17 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Entertainment & Recreation

16 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

  • Bars & Pubs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

15 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

  • Hair Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

14 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

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

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

12 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Health & Fitness

9 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Energy & Utilities

8 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Technology & Media

4 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

208 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

  • General Contracting: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

133 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Manufacturing

119 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Financial & Professional Services

81 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Medical Practices

80 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Retail Stores

58 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Home Services

37 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Automotive & Boat

29 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

  • Auto Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

23 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

  • Hotels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

23 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Logistics & Transportation

21 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Senior Care & Living

20 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Gas Stations & Convenience

17 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Entertainment & Recreation

16 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

  • Bars & Pubs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

15 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

  • Hair Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

14 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

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

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

12 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Health & Fitness

9 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Energy & Utilities

8 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

Technology & Media

4 related employer businesses in Walla Walla.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Walla Walla

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Walla Walla ask

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

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 Walla Walla?

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 Walla Walla

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