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    Acquiring a very small business with 1 to 9 employees

    Businesses with 1 to 9 employees are the core of the French acquisition market: a small team, a hands-on owner and turnover between €100,000 and €2 million.

    Headcount

    1 à 9 salariés

    Turnover

    100 000 € – 2 M€

    Purchase price

    40 000 € – 400 000 €

    The market for this segment

    Hospitality, retail, crafts and B2B services typically sell for 50–100% of annual turnover, or 3–5× EBITDA. In insolvency proceedings, prices often drop to 1–2× EBITDA.

    Advantages of this size

    Already organised with an operational team
    Recurring revenue and usable accounting history
    Valuation still reachable for an individual buyer
    Quick improvement margins on purchasing and management

    Points to check

    • —Employment contracts transfer automatically in a goodwill sale (Labour Code art. L1224-1)
    • —Strong dependence on the departing owner: plan a handover period
    • —Check the commercial lease and rent level
    • —Review pending employment litigation

    Financing the acquisition

    20–30% equity, a 7-year bank loan, Bpifrance guarantee and sometimes vendor financing. Budget three months of fixed costs as working capital.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much equity do I need?

    Typically 20–30% of the purchase price, topped up with a guaranteed bank loan and sometimes a 2–3 year vendor loan.

    Must I keep the employees?

    Yes in a goodwill sale: French labour law transfers contracts automatically. In a court-ordered transfer plan, the number of jobs taken over is set in your offer.

    How is such a business valued?

    Usually 50–100% of annual turnover or 3–5× EBITDA, adjusted for location, lease terms and owner dependence.

    Live opportunities

    Browse all our available listings

    Businesses in judicial liquidation, companies under collective, safeguard or recovery proceedings, and offices for sale or rent across France.