Selling a Business in York

Owners in the York area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 8,840 employer businesses, and 81% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

York by the numbers

8,840

8,840

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

81%

81%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

32,310

32,310

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

176,202

176,202

EMPLOYMENT

$9.6 billion

$9.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

4,044

4,044

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 York compares

  • The York area ranks 7th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in York, compared with 4% in Pennsylvania.

  • 4,044 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The York area ranks 7th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in York, compared with 4% in Pennsylvania.

  • 4,044 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,246 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,183 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 989 employer businesses

  • Construction: 917 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 782 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,246 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,183 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 989 employer businesses

  • Construction: 917 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 782 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 York

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

1,076 related employer businesses in York.

  • General Contracting: 250 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 192 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 156 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 156 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Electrical: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Masonry: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

  • Remediation & Restoration: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

736 related employer businesses in York.

Medical Practices

532 related employer businesses in York.

Automotive & Boat

447 related employer businesses in York.

  • Auto Repair: 212 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Retail Stores

409 related employer businesses in York.

Financial & Professional Services

408 related employer businesses in York.

Manufacturing

369 related employer businesses in York.

Logistics & Transportation

284 related employer businesses in York.

Beauty & Personal Care

240 related employer businesses in York.

  • Hair Salons: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

194 related employer businesses in York.

Home Services

150 related employer businesses in York.

Gas Stations & Convenience

141 related employer businesses in York.

Education & Childcare

100 related employer businesses in York.

  • Daycare Centers: 97 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.

Entertainment & Recreation

89 related employer businesses in York.

  • Bars & Pubs: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

85 related employer businesses in York.

Technology & Media

82 related employer businesses in York.

Health & Fitness

81 related employer businesses in York.

Hospitality & Travel

78 related employer businesses in York.

  • Hotels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

70 related employer businesses in York.

Energy & Utilities

63 related employer businesses in York.

Pet Services

54 related employer businesses in York.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

1,076 related employer businesses in York.

  • General Contracting: 250 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 192 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 156 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 156 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Electrical: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Masonry: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

  • Remediation & Restoration: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

736 related employer businesses in York.

Medical Practices

532 related employer businesses in York.

Automotive & Boat

447 related employer businesses in York.

  • Auto Repair: 212 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Retail Stores

409 related employer businesses in York.

Financial & Professional Services

408 related employer businesses in York.

Manufacturing

369 related employer businesses in York.

Logistics & Transportation

284 related employer businesses in York.

Beauty & Personal Care

240 related employer businesses in York.

  • Hair Salons: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

194 related employer businesses in York.

Home Services

150 related employer businesses in York.

Gas Stations & Convenience

141 related employer businesses in York.

Education & Childcare

100 related employer businesses in York.

  • Daycare Centers: 97 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.

Entertainment & Recreation

89 related employer businesses in York.

  • Bars & Pubs: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

85 related employer businesses in York.

Technology & Media

82 related employer businesses in York.

Health & Fitness

81 related employer businesses in York.

Hospitality & Travel

78 related employer businesses in York.

  • Hotels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

70 related employer businesses in York.

Energy & Utilities

63 related employer businesses in York.

Pet Services

54 related employer businesses in York.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in York

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in York ask

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

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 York?

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 York

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