Selling a Business in Winchester

Owners in the Winchester area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,378 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

Winchester by the numbers

3,378

3,378

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

11,188

11,188

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

57,829

57,829

EMPLOYMENT

$3.2 billion

$3.2 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,493

1,493

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 Winchester compares

  • The Winchester area ranks 7th of 9 Virginia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 4.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 4% of employer businesses in Winchester, compared with 3% in Virginia.

  • 1,493 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Winchester area ranks 7th of 9 Virginia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 4.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 4% of employer businesses in Winchester, compared with 3% in Virginia.

  • 1,493 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 526 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 410 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 388 employer businesses

  • Construction: 386 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 321 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 526 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 410 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 388 employer businesses

  • Construction: 386 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 321 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 Winchester

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

394 related employer businesses in Winchester.

  • General Contracting: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Roofing & Siding: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

277 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Medical Practices

247 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Retail Stores

195 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Financial & Professional Services

189 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Automotive & Boat

159 related employer businesses in Winchester.

  • Auto Repair: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

120 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Manufacturing

102 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Gas Stations & Convenience

68 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Wholesale & Distribution

68 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Home Services

66 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Beauty & Personal Care

65 related employer businesses in Winchester.

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

  • Nail Salons: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 11 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.

Hospitality & Travel

46 related employer businesses in Winchester.

  • Hotels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 35 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

41 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

35 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Senior Care & Living

24 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Energy & Utilities

23 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Education & Childcare

20 related employer businesses in Winchester.

  • Daycare Centers: 17 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.

Pet Services

19 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Entertainment & Recreation

16 related employer businesses in Winchester.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x 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.

Technology & Media

15 related employer businesses in Winchester.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

394 related employer businesses in Winchester.

  • General Contracting: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Roofing & Siding: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

277 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Medical Practices

247 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Retail Stores

195 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Financial & Professional Services

189 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Automotive & Boat

159 related employer businesses in Winchester.

  • Auto Repair: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

120 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Manufacturing

102 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Gas Stations & Convenience

68 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Wholesale & Distribution

68 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Home Services

66 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Beauty & Personal Care

65 related employer businesses in Winchester.

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

  • Nail Salons: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 11 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.

Hospitality & Travel

46 related employer businesses in Winchester.

  • Hotels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 35 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

41 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

35 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Senior Care & Living

24 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Energy & Utilities

23 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Education & Childcare

20 related employer businesses in Winchester.

  • Daycare Centers: 17 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.

Pet Services

19 related employer businesses in Winchester.

Entertainment & Recreation

16 related employer businesses in Winchester.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x 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.

Technology & Media

15 related employer businesses in Winchester.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Winchester

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Winchester ask

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

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 Winchester?

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 Winchester

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