Selling a Business in Youngstown

Owners in the Youngstown area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 9,191 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

Youngstown by the numbers

9,191

9,191

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

32,698

32,698

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

139,977

139,977

EMPLOYMENT

$6.8 billion

$6.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

4,347

4,347

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 Youngstown compares

  • The Youngstown area ranks 7th of 12 Ohio metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 16% of employer businesses in Youngstown, compared with 13% in Ohio.

  • 4,347 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Youngstown area ranks 7th of 12 Ohio metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 16% of employer businesses in Youngstown, compared with 13% in Ohio.

  • 4,347 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,433 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,244 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,051 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 987 employer businesses

  • Construction: 793 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,433 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,244 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,051 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 987 employer businesses

  • Construction: 793 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

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Youngstown

Retail, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Youngstown

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

902 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Construction & Engineering

900 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

  • General Contracting: 177 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 169 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 132 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 101 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

705 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Retail Stores

530 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Financial & Professional Services

476 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Automotive & Boat

365 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

  • Auto Repair: 120 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

346 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Logistics & Transportation

276 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Gas Stations & Convenience

243 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Wholesale & Distribution

191 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

140 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Home Services

134 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Entertainment & Recreation

131 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

  • Bars & Pubs: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

121 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

  • Hair Salons: 65 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: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

95 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Senior Care & Living

93 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Education & Childcare

86 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

  • Daycare Centers: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

73 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Energy & Utilities

69 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Hospitality & Travel

66 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

  • Hotels: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 46 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Pet Services

42 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

902 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Construction & Engineering

900 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

  • General Contracting: 177 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 169 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 132 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 101 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

705 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Retail Stores

530 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Financial & Professional Services

476 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Automotive & Boat

365 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

  • Auto Repair: 120 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

346 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Logistics & Transportation

276 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Gas Stations & Convenience

243 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Wholesale & Distribution

191 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

140 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Home Services

134 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Entertainment & Recreation

131 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

  • Bars & Pubs: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

121 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

  • Hair Salons: 65 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: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

95 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Senior Care & Living

93 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Education & Childcare

86 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

  • Daycare Centers: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

73 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Energy & Utilities

69 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

Hospitality & Travel

66 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

  • Hotels: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 46 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Pet Services

42 related employer businesses in Youngstown.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Youngstown

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Youngstown ask

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

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 Youngstown?

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 Youngstown

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