Selling a Business in Barron County

Barron County has 1,340 employer businesses, and 87% 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 accommodation and food service.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Barron County by the numbers

1,340

1,340

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

3,495

3,495

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

17,770

17,770

EMPLOYMENT

$868 million

$868 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

572

572

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 Barron County compares

  • Barron County ranks 28th of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Barron County, compared with 4% in Wisconsin.

  • 572 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Barron County ranks 28th of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Barron County, compared with 4% in Wisconsin.

  • 572 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 200 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 155 employer businesses

  • Construction: 154 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 145 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 144 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 200 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 155 employer businesses

  • Construction: 154 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 145 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 144 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Barron County

These are the industries in Barron 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

160 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • General Contracting: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Landscaping: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

104 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Financial & Professional Services

69 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Logistics & Transportation

66 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Manufacturing

66 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Retail Stores

62 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Automotive & Boat

60 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Auto Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

59 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Entertainment & Recreation

54 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

31 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Hotels: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

30 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Gas Stations: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Senior Care & Living

18 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Beauty & Personal Care

17 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Hair Salons: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

16 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Home Services

14 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

13 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Education & Childcare

10 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Daycare Centers: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

7 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Technology & Media

6 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Health & Fitness

5 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

These are the industries in Barron 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

160 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • General Contracting: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Landscaping: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

104 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Financial & Professional Services

69 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Logistics & Transportation

66 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Manufacturing

66 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Retail Stores

62 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Automotive & Boat

60 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Auto Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

59 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Entertainment & Recreation

54 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

31 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Hotels: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

30 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Gas Stations: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Senior Care & Living

18 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Beauty & Personal Care

17 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Hair Salons: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

16 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Home Services

14 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

13 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Education & Childcare

10 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Daycare Centers: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

7 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Technology & Media

6 related employer businesses in Barron County.

Health & Fitness

5 related employer businesses in Barron County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Working with owners in Barron County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Barron County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Barron 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 Barron 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