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Bell County

Selling a Business in Bell County

Bell County has 436 employer businesses, and 85% 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 health care and social assistance.

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LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Bell County by the numbers

436

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

1,279

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

6,692

EMPLOYMENT

$260 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

227

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 Bell County compares

Bell County ranks 42nd of 120 Kentucky counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 5.4% between 2018 and 2023.
Retail makes up 24% of employer businesses in Bell County, compared with 16% in Kentucky.
227 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Bell County ranks 42nd of 120 Kentucky counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 5.4% between 2018 and 2023.
Retail makes up 24% of employer businesses in Bell County, compared with 16% in Kentucky.
227 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 106 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 69 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 55 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 42 employer businesses
Finance and insurance: 31 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 106 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 69 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 55 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 42 employer businesses
Finance and insurance: 31 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Bell County

Retail, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service, repair, personal care and other services

Electronics & Repair

Retail Stores

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry

Retail Stores

Dental Practices

Medical Practices

Home Health & Hospice

Medical Practices

Gyms & Health Clubs

Health & Fitness

Personal Training Studios

Health & Fitness

Every kind of business we sell in Bell County

These are the industries in Bell 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.

Restaurants & Food

60 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

38 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Primary & Family Care: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

30 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Financial & Professional Services

21 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Accounting & Tax Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Private Lending: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.

Automotive & Boat

13 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Auto Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

Gas Stations & Convenience

11 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Gas Stations: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Health & Fitness

9 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Wellness & Recovery Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

9 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Construction & Engineering

6 related employer businesses in Bell County.

General Contracting: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

6 related employer businesses in Bell County.

General Freight Trucking: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.

Home Services

4 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Residential Cleaning: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

4 related employer businesses in Bell 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.

Senior Care & Living

3 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

60 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

38 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Primary & Family Care: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

30 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Financial & Professional Services

21 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Accounting & Tax Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Private Lending: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.

Automotive & Boat

13 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Auto Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

Gas Stations & Convenience

11 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Gas Stations: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Health & Fitness

9 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Wellness & Recovery Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

9 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Construction & Engineering

6 related employer businesses in Bell County.

General Contracting: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

6 related employer businesses in Bell County.

General Freight Trucking: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.

Home Services

4 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Residential Cleaning: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

4 related employer businesses in Bell 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.

Senior Care & Living

3 related employer businesses in Bell County.

Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Working with owners in Bell County

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

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Bell County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Bell 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 Bell 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