What Businesses Sell For, by Industry

Every guide below states the current Seller's Discretionary Earnings multiple for that industry, what pushes a specific business to the top or bottom of the range, and who the likely buyers are. Multiples mirror the bands used by our valuation calculator.

IndustrySDE multipleTypical margin
Accounting Firm1.8x – 3.3x20%
Auto Repair Shop2.0x – 3.3x16%
Bakery1.5x – 2.8x10%
Car Dealership2.0x – 3.3x16%
Car Wash2.0x – 3.3x16%
Chiropractic Practice2.0x – 3.6x18%
Cleaning Business2.0x – 3.4x15%
Coffee Shop1.5x – 2.8x10%
Convenience Store1.4x – 2.8x8%
Dental Practice2.0x – 3.6x18%
Dry Cleaning Business1.8x – 3.2x14%
Ecommerce Business2.5x – 4.2x12%
Food Truck1.5x – 2.8x10%
Franchise1.8x – 3.2x14%
Funeral Home1.8x – 3.2x14%
Gas Station1.4x – 2.8x8%
Grocery Store1.4x – 2.8x8%
Gym1.8x – 3.2x14%
Hair Salon1.8x – 3.2x14%
Home Health Agency2.0x – 3.6x18%
HVAC Company2.0x – 3.4x15%
Insurance Agency2.3x – 3.8x22%
IT Company2.5x – 4.2x22%
Laundromat1.8x – 3.2x14%
Lawn Care Business2.0x – 3.4x15%
Liquor Store1.4x – 2.8x8%
Machine Shop2.2x – 3.6x15%
Manufacturing Business2.2x – 3.6x15%
Marketing Agency1.8x – 3.3x20%
Medical Practice2.0x – 3.6x18%
Nail Salon1.8x – 3.2x14%
Pest Control Business2.0x – 3.4x15%
Pharmacy2.0x – 3.6x18%
Plumbing Company2.0x – 3.4x15%
Restaurant1.5x – 2.8x10%
Roofing Company2.0x – 3.4x15%
Self Storage Facility1.8x – 3.2x14%
Staffing Agency1.8x – 3.3x20%
Trucking Company2.2x – 3.4x12%
Veterinary Practice2.0x – 3.6x18%

Businesses earning more than roughly $1M to $2M of EBITDA are priced differently, on an EBITDA multiple of 4x to 6.5x, because the buyer pool shifts from individual owner-operators to private equity and strategic acquirers.

Get a free instant valuation →

Beyond the number: guides to exit planning, the sale process, LOIs, broker fees and timelines →