Redwood City, CA
Businesses For Sale in California


Lake Forest, CA

San Diego, CA

San Diego County, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Santa Monica, CA
Orange County, CA
San Diego, CA
Fountain Valley, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Irvine, CA
San Diego, CA
Pleasanton, CA
Los Angeles County, CA
Santa Clara, CA
Lomita, CA
Eric Johnson
First Choice Business Brokers SF Bay
Serving Santa Clara County, CA
As Broker/Franchisee at First Choice Business Brokers, I lead seven California offices serving clients statewide, with concentrated expertise in the San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey Bay, and Los Angeles markets. We help Main Street to lower-middle-market business owners with proven, cash-flowing operations achieve strategic exits. Over three decades, I've started, scaled, and sold businesses myself — and have personally facilitated transactions across technology, transportation, manufacturing, retail, and franchise sales. First Choice Business Brokers is a Nationwide organization active since 1994 in over 100 markets. We have completed over $15 billion in business sales and are ranked as one of the best and fastest growing companies in our segment. Our reach is unprecedented and our agents are the best trained in the business.
San Francisco, CA
Foster City, CA
Sherman Oaks, CA
Carlsbad, CA
San Bernardino County, CA
Orange County, CA
Ventura, CA
San Carlos, CA
Ventura, CA
Pleasanton, CA
Montebello, CA
Stanton, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Butte County, CA
Fairfield, CA
San Rafael, CA
Pasadena, CA
Santa Cruz County, CA
San Diego, CA
Santa Clara County, CA
San Diego, CA
Burlingame, CA
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA
California
Artesia, CA
South San Francisco, CA
San Diego, CA
Lamar Rutherford
Excellens Solutions
Serving San Diego County, CA
There are overlooked differences between "transactional" and "consultative" business brokers — and not knowing those differences can cost you thousands of dollars. You want a proven advisor . . .? ? A Consultative Broker with a proven system to maximize the value you'll get when you sell Consultative Broker with preferred access to qualified buyers Track record of success with other businesses in your industry — and able to sell for higher than expected. (We have participated in 100+ successful sales at maximum multipliers.) Proven framework combined with one-on-one consulting on how to tell the right story Deep accounting/CPA experience Deep analysis and understanding of your needs, current market conditions and enhanced ability to help you — even if you aren't prepared or positioned to sell immediately.
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Glendale, CA
Santa Monica, CA
Hollywood, CA
San Carlos, CA
Buy or Sell a Business in California
California is a huge state with a lot of money, so it's naturally a popular destination for businesses. The major industries in California include technology, agriculture, and entertainment, but the private business for sale market spans the gamut of sectors.
If you're looking to buy (or sell) a business in California, it helps to have some context on the market. We have aggregated and summarized the most current listings data to provide a basic overview of the business for sale market in California.
Market Overview
|
Number of Businesses for Sale |
~5,500 |
|
Median Asking Price |
$360,000 |
|
Median Reported Revenue |
$630,000 |
|
Median Reported Earnings |
$150,000 |
|
Profit Margin |
23% |
|
Earnings Multiple |
2.5 |
|
Revenue Multiple |
0.6 |
|
Financials based on businesses that listed an asking price, annual revenue, and seller's discretionary earnings. |
|
Major Metro Areas
More than 80% of all businesses for sale in the state are in the following six metro areas:
- Fresno Metro Area
- Greater Los Angeles Area
- Modesto-Merced Area
- Sacramento Area
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Visalia-Hanford Area
How many businesses are listed for sale in California?
There are around 5,400 businesses for sale in California, with listings across various metro areas and statewide.
What types of businesses are for sale?
The marketplace in California is diverse, with all types of businesses in play.
- Food and Restaurants (approx. 1740)
- Retail (approx. 730)
- Service Businesses (approx. 570)
- Health Care and Fitness (approx. 440)
- Automotive and Boat (approx. 350)
- Manufacturing to Beauty and Personal Care, among others.
What is the average asking price for these businesses?
The median asking price for businesses listed for sale in California is $360,000.
What is the average revenue of these businesses?
The median reported revenue for these businesses is $630,000.
What is the average seller discretionary earnings?
The median reported earnings, often referred to as Seller Discretionary Earnings (SDE), is $150,000.
What are the average valuation multiples?
Typically, businesses are being listed with an earnings multiple of 2.5 and a revenue multiple of 0.6 when referring to the asking price.
Which cities in California have the most businesses listed for sale?
The cities with the highest number of listings are Los Angeles (approx. 480), San Diego (approx. 250), San Francisco (approx. 220), Sacramento (approx. 140), San Jose (approx. 120), Oakland (approx. 80), Long Beach (approx. 80), Anaheim (approx. 60), and Riverside (approx. 60).
How can California business owners sell their own businesses?
Most business owners will retain an experienced business broker, who will typically charge a 10-15% success fee. Some business owners choose to list their business for sale directly and take on the entire process on their own. This can be a complex and challenging task, requiring an understanding of the market, great marketing skills, and even better negotiating skills.
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