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Clare County

Selling a Business in Clare County

Clare County has 607 employer businesses, and 88% 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.

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LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Clare County by the numbers

607

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

88%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

2,026

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

6,793

EMPLOYMENT

$317 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

261

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 Clare County compares

Clare County ranks 57th of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 4.3% between 2018 and 2023.
Retail makes up 21% of employer businesses in Clare County, compared with 14% in Michigan.
261 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Clare County ranks 57th of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 4.3% between 2018 and 2023.
Retail makes up 21% of employer businesses in Clare County, compared with 14% in Michigan.
261 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 128 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 78 employer businesses
Construction: 74 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 71 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 60 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 128 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 78 employer businesses
Construction: 74 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 71 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 60 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Clare County

Retail, accommodation and food service, construction, health care and social assistance

Electronics & Repair

Retail Stores

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry

Retail Stores

Bakeries

Restaurants & Food

Coffee Shops

Restaurants & Food

Bed & Breakfasts / Inns

Hospitality & Travel

Campgrounds & RV Parks

Hospitality & Travel

Every kind of business we sell in Clare County

These are the industries in Clare 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

66 related employer businesses in Clare County.

General Contracting: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Plumbing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

62 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 19 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.
Coffee Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Gas Stations & Convenience

28 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Gas Stations: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Retail Stores

28 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Medical Practices

27 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Primary & Family Care: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

23 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Accounting & Tax Practices: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

16 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Auto Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Entertainment & Recreation

16 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Bars & Pubs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Bowling Alleys: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

14 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Printing & Plastics: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Clare 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.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

9 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Propane & Fuel Distribution: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Waste Management & Recycling: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.

Logistics & Transportation

8 related employer businesses in Clare County.

General Freight Trucking: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

6 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

5 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Daycare Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

4 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Assisted Living Facilities: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Beauty & Personal Care

3 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Hair Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Construction & Engineering

66 related employer businesses in Clare County.

General Contracting: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Plumbing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

62 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 19 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.
Coffee Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Gas Stations & Convenience

28 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Gas Stations: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Retail Stores

28 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Medical Practices

27 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Primary & Family Care: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

23 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Accounting & Tax Practices: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

16 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Auto Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Entertainment & Recreation

16 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Bars & Pubs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Bowling Alleys: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

14 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Printing & Plastics: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Clare 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.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

9 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Propane & Fuel Distribution: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Waste Management & Recycling: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.

Logistics & Transportation

8 related employer businesses in Clare County.

General Freight Trucking: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

6 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

5 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Daycare Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

4 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Assisted Living Facilities: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Beauty & Personal Care

3 related employer businesses in Clare County.

Hair Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Working with owners in Clare County

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

Get a Free Valuation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Clare County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Clare 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 Clare 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