Selling a Business in Wenatchee

Owners in the Wenatchee area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,636 employer businesses, and 89% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Wenatchee by the numbers

3,636

3,636

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

7,977

7,977

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

41,453

41,453

EMPLOYMENT

$2.3 billion

$2.3 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,440

1,440

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 Wenatchee compares

  • The Wenatchee area ranks 9th of 11 Washington metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 18% of employer businesses in Wenatchee, compared with 13% in Washington.

  • 1,440 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Wenatchee area ranks 9th of 11 Washington metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 18% of employer businesses in Wenatchee, compared with 13% in Washington.

  • 1,440 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 667 employer businesses

  • Retail: 425 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 413 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 325 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 317 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 667 employer businesses

  • Retail: 425 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 413 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 325 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 317 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 Wenatchee

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

727 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

  • General Contracting: 232 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 123 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

327 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Financial & Professional Services

216 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Retail Stores

165 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Medical Practices

131 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Manufacturing

123 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Automotive & Boat

95 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

  • Auto Repair: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 14 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.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

84 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

  • Hotels: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

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

Wholesale & Distribution

80 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Logistics & Transportation

78 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Home Services

75 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Beauty & Personal Care

61 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

  • Hair Salons: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 10 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.

Entertainment & Recreation

57 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 4 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.

Gas Stations & Convenience

43 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Technology & Media

41 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Senior Care & Living

35 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Education & Childcare

34 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

  • Daycare Centers: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

33 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Energy & Utilities

25 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Pet Services

15 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

10 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

727 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

  • General Contracting: 232 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 123 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

327 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Financial & Professional Services

216 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Retail Stores

165 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Medical Practices

131 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Manufacturing

123 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Automotive & Boat

95 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

  • Auto Repair: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 14 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.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

84 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

  • Hotels: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

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

Wholesale & Distribution

80 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Logistics & Transportation

78 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Home Services

75 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Beauty & Personal Care

61 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

  • Hair Salons: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 10 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.

Entertainment & Recreation

57 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 4 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.

Gas Stations & Convenience

43 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Technology & Media

41 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Senior Care & Living

35 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Education & Childcare

34 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

  • Daycare Centers: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

33 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Energy & Utilities

25 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Pet Services

15 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

10 related employer businesses in Wenatchee.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Wenatchee

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Wenatchee ask

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

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 Wenatchee?

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 Wenatchee

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