How to Sell a Business in Tampa Bay, Florida

Tampa Bay is one of the strongest small business markets in the Southeast. If you own a business in Hillsborough County — whether it's a restaurant on SR-60, a service company in Brandon, or a professional practice in Valrico — this guide walks you through the entire selling process from valuation to closing.

Step 1: Get a Realistic Valuation

The first step is understanding what your business is actually worth. Most Tampa Bay small businesses are valued using Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) — your net profit plus your salary, benefits, and one-time expenses. A typical service business in Hillsborough County sells for 2x-3x SDE. Restaurants and retail typically sell for 1.5x-2.5x.

Do not rely on revenue multiples or what your neighbor sold their business for. Every business is different. Get a professional valuation — it's free at buythe.biz.

Step 2: Prepare Your Financials

Buyers and their CPAs will dig through your last 3 years of tax returns, P&L statements, and bank records. Clean financials close deals. Messy books kill them.

• 3 years of federal tax returns
• Monthly P&L statements
• Balance sheet
• List of all assets included in the sale
• Current lease terms and assignment provisions
• Employee list with roles and compensation

Step 3: Choose Between Selling Yourself or Using a Broker

For businesses valued under $100K, you can try selling on your own. For anything above that, a licensed business broker will almost always get you a better price. Tampa Bay has several reputable brokers, and most work on commission (8-12%) — you pay nothing unless the deal closes.

Barrett Henry handles business sales across Tampa Bay directly. Get started with a free valuation.

Step 4: Market Confidentially

Unlike selling a house, selling a business requires confidentiality. If your employees, customers, or competitors find out before the deal is done, it can damage the business. A good broker markets your business without revealing identifying details until an NDA is signed.

Step 5: Negotiate and Close

Once you have a qualified buyer, expect 60-120 days of due diligence, negotiation, and closing. In Florida, there's no state income tax — but you will owe federal capital gains tax.

Why Tampa Bay Businesses Sell Well

Hillsborough County's population has grown 15%+ over the past decade. More customers, more demand, more buyers looking for established businesses. The Valrico-Brandon corridor, Riverview-Apollo Beach, and downtown Tampa are all hot markets.