Selling a Business in Chapel Hill — What You Need to Know
Chapel Hill's business sale market is anchored by UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC Health, which together employ tens of thousands and generate enormous downstream demand for healthcare, professional services, technology, and hospitality businesses. The university community creates a uniquely educated and analytically sophisticated buyer pool — professors, researchers, physicians, and administrators who bring deep domain expertise to their acquisition searches.
UNC Health Care and UNC School of Medicine produce consistent demand for affiliated medical practices, specialty clinics, dental groups, and healthcare support services. Chapel Hill's research community also creates acquisition targets in tech commercialization, life sciences, and professional services that attract both strategic buyers and PE platforms focused on the Triangle's innovation economy.
Chapel Hill's downtown and Franklin Street retail and restaurant ecosystem — driven by 30,000+ students and a vibrant year-round residential community — creates consistent demand for food-and-beverage, retail, and personal services businesses. The town's affluent permanent resident base of professionals, retired faculty, and research community alumni provides strong consumer spending that supports premium business valuations.
Most Active Business Categories in Chapel Hill
Healthcare & Medical Practices
UNC Health's massive regional network creates extraordinary demand for affiliated medical practices, dental groups, specialty clinics, and research-adjacent healthcare businesses. Academic medical center proximity provides patient volume stability and research referral networks that buyers specifically value.
Professional & Business Services
Consulting, technology services, research support, staffing, and professional firms serving UNC, UNC Health, and the broader Triangle research economy generate strong buyer interest. UNC faculty and administrators are among the most analytically sophisticated individual buyers in the state.
Restaurant & Retail
Consulting, technology services, research support, staffing, and professional firms serving UNC, UNC Health, and the broader Triangle research economy generate strong buyer interest. UNC faculty and administrators are among the most analytically sophisticated individual buyers in the state.
Thinking About Selling Your Chapel Hill Business?
A confidential, no-obligation valuation. Understand what your business could sell for in today's market before you commit to anything.
Schedule Your Free ValuationYou Keep More of What You've Built
Most business brokers in Chapel Hill charge 10% to 12%. On a million-dollar sale, that's $100K to $120K out of your pocket before you see a dime. John Salony charges 6% — which means on that same sale, you keep an extra $40K to $60K.
That's possible because of two things most brokers don't have: an AI-powered approach to CIM preparation and data gathering, and a 20-year network of serious buyers across the Southeast — including Chapel Hill — who are ready to move when the right opportunity comes along.
And John only gets paid when you do. No upfront fees. No retainers. If the deal doesn't close, you owe nothing.
Who Buys Businesses in Chapel Hill?
Understanding your buyer pool directly impacts how your business is positioned, priced, and marketed. Chapel Hill's economy attracts UNC faculty, researchers, and healthcare professionals as individual buyers, PE healthcare platforms, strategic acquirers in life sciences services.
Private Equity Groups
PE firms acquiring businesses as platform investments or add-ons to existing portfolio companies. They typically pay the highest multiples and bring institutional resources.
- ✓ Highest multiples (3.5×–5.0×+)
- ✓ May offer equity rollover
- ✓ Often want owner to stay 1–2 years
- ✓ Focused on EBITDA $500K+
Strategic Acquirers
Larger companies in your industry looking to expand geographically, add capabilities, or acquire customers. They understand your business and can often close faster.
- ✓ Strong multiples (3.0×–4.5×)
- ✓ Fastest due diligence
- ✓ Value customer base & territory
- ✓ May absorb into existing brand
Individual Buyers
Qualified individuals — often corporate executives or experienced operators — using SBA financing to acquire and run their own business.
- ✓ Solid multiples (2.5×–3.5×)
- ✓ SBA 7(a) financing typical
- ✓ Want transition support
- ✓ Looking for stability & cash flow
Who John Salony Works With in Chapel Hill
John works best with business owners who are serious about getting a transaction done — not just exploring. If any of the below describes you, a confidential conversation makes sense.
A free, confidential valuation estimate based on your actual financials and the current Chapel Hill buyer market. No cost, no pressure.
Get My Free ValuationWhy Chapel Hill Business Owners Work With John Salony
ABI Certified + MBA
Certified Business Intermediary with an MBA and 20+ years of experience in business sales and M&A advisory across the Southeast.
6% — Not 10–12%
The most competitive fee structure in the market. On a $1M sale you keep $40K–$60K more than you would with a traditional broker.
Complete Confidentiality
Blind listings, NDA before any details are shared, and careful buyer screening. Your employees and customers won't know until you're ready.
Dual CRE + Business Expertise
If you own the real estate too, John handles both. No need for two advisors, two timelines, or two sets of fees.
