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Barnes County

Selling a Business in Barnes County

Barnes County has 349 employer businesses, and 90% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here. The largest industries here are retail and construction.

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LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Barnes County by the numbers

349

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

90%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

861

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

3,389

EMPLOYMENT

$149 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

163

BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES

U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.

How Barnes County compares

Barnes County ranks 14th of 53 North Dakota counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 2.2% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Barnes County, compared with 3% in North Dakota.
163 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Barnes County ranks 14th of 53 North Dakota counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 2.2% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Barnes County, compared with 3% in North Dakota.
163 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 43 employer businesses
Construction: 43 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 42 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 39 employer businesses
Finance and insurance: 30 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 43 employer businesses
Construction: 43 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 42 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 39 employer businesses
Finance and insurance: 30 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Barnes County

Retail, construction, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance

Electronics & Repair

Retail Stores

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry

Retail Stores

Carpentry & Framing

Construction & Engineering

Civil Engineering

Construction & Engineering

Audio Visual (AV)

Home Services

Commercial Cleaning

Home Services

Every kind of business we sell in Barnes County

These are the industries in Barnes County and the number of employer businesses in each. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

35 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Electrical: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
General Contracting: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Landscaping: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

29 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

General Freight Trucking: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

28 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Insurance Agencies: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.

Restaurants & Food

15 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Senior Care & Living

10 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Non-Medical Home Care: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

9 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Auto Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Retail Stores

8 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

7 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Bars & Pubs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

7 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Gas Stations: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Manufacturing

6 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

5 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Education & Childcare

4 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

4 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Hotels: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Home Services

3 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Residential Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

3 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Construction & Engineering

35 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Electrical: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
General Contracting: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Landscaping: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

29 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

General Freight Trucking: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

28 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Insurance Agencies: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.

Restaurants & Food

15 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Senior Care & Living

10 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Non-Medical Home Care: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

9 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Auto Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Retail Stores

8 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

7 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Bars & Pubs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

7 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Gas Stations: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Manufacturing

6 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

5 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Education & Childcare

4 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

4 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Hotels: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Home Services

3 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Residential Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

3 related employer businesses in Barnes County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Working with owners in Barnes County

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Barnes County. Contact us to talk about a sale.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Barnes County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Barnes County?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.

How is a business valued in Barnes County?

Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.

Is the sale confidential?

Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.

FROM OUR BLOG

Guides for owners in Barnes County

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article