Selling a Business in Metro Detroit

Owners in Metro Detroit sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. This market has 102,430 employer businesses, and 84% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled. People also search for this market as Detroit, Dearborn or Warren. The largest industries here are retail and health care and social assistance.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Metro Detroit by the numbers

102,430

102,430

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

423,346

423,346

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

1,846,717

1,846,717

EMPLOYMENT

$126.0 billion

$126.0 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

41,336

41,336

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 Metro Detroit compares

  • Metro Detroit ranks 1st of 15 Michigan metro markets for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • 41,336 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Metro Detroit ranks 1st of 15 Michigan metro markets for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • 41,336 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 14,016 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 13,890 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 11,783 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 9,607 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 9,409 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 14,016 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 13,890 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 11,783 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 9,607 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 9,409 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Metro Detroit

Retail, health care and social assistance, professional and technical services, repair, personal care and other services

Every kind of business we sell in Metro Detroit

These are the industries in Metro Detroit 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

10,036 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

  • General Contracting: 2,689 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 1,711 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 1,465 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 1,107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 1,107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 942 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 798 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 594 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 286 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 255 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 127 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

9,430 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Medical Practices

9,191 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Financial & Professional Services

5,608 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Retail Stores

5,576 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Automotive & Boat

4,321 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

  • Auto Repair: 1,691 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 949 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 650 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 442 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 333 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

4,115 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Manufacturing

3,320 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Wholesale & Distribution

2,238 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

2,127 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Gas Stations & Convenience

1,846 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Beauty & Personal Care

1,795 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

  • Hair Salons: 1,112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 396 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 396 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 396 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 126 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

1,678 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Technology & Media

1,407 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Education & Childcare

979 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

  • Daycare Centers: 887 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 92 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

954 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

  • Bars & Pubs: 458 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 458 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 232 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 130 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

782 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

  • Hotels: 446 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 446 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 208 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 109 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

763 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Health & Fitness

726 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Energy & Utilities

458 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Pet Services

414 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

These are the industries in Metro Detroit 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

10,036 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

  • General Contracting: 2,689 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 1,711 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 1,465 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 1,107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 1,107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 942 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 798 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 594 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 286 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 255 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 127 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

9,430 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Medical Practices

9,191 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Financial & Professional Services

5,608 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Retail Stores

5,576 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Automotive & Boat

4,321 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

  • Auto Repair: 1,691 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 949 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 650 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 442 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 333 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

4,115 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Manufacturing

3,320 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Wholesale & Distribution

2,238 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

2,127 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Gas Stations & Convenience

1,846 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Beauty & Personal Care

1,795 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

  • Hair Salons: 1,112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 396 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 396 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 396 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 126 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

1,678 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Technology & Media

1,407 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Education & Childcare

979 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

  • Daycare Centers: 887 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 92 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

954 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

  • Bars & Pubs: 458 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 458 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 232 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 130 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

782 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

  • Hotels: 446 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 446 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 208 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 109 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

763 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Health & Fitness

726 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Energy & Utilities

458 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

Pet Services

414 related employer businesses in Metro Detroit.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Working with owners in Metro Detroit

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Metro Detroit ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Metro Detroit?

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

How is a business valued in Metro Detroit?

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 Metro Detroit

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