Selling a Business in Douglas County

Douglas County has 1,394 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 construction.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Douglas County by the numbers

1,394

1,394

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

3,716

3,716

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

18,208

18,208

EMPLOYMENT

$1.0 billion

$1.0 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

577

577

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 Douglas County compares

  • Douglas County ranks 18th of 87 Minnesota counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Douglas County, compared with 4% in Minnesota.

  • 577 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Douglas County ranks 18th of 87 Minnesota counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Douglas County, compared with 4% in Minnesota.

  • 577 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 210 employer businesses

  • Construction: 192 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 162 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 157 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 121 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 210 employer businesses

  • Construction: 192 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 162 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 157 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 121 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Douglas County

These are the industries in Douglas 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

191 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • General Contracting: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

97 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Retail Stores

82 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Financial & Professional Services

73 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Medical Practices

62 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Manufacturing

59 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Automotive & Boat

48 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • Auto Repair: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

40 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

27 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • Gas Stations: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Senior Care & Living

23 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Entertainment & Recreation

22 related employer businesses in Douglas 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.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

21 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • Hotels: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 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.

Wholesale & Distribution

21 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Home Services

20 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • Property Management: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

16 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • Hair Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

12 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Health & Fitness

11 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Education & Childcare

9 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • Daycare Centers: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Technology & Media

8 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

7 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

These are the industries in Douglas 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

191 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • General Contracting: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

97 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Retail Stores

82 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Financial & Professional Services

73 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Medical Practices

62 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Manufacturing

59 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Automotive & Boat

48 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • Auto Repair: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

40 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

27 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • Gas Stations: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Senior Care & Living

23 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Entertainment & Recreation

22 related employer businesses in Douglas 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.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

21 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • Hotels: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 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.

Wholesale & Distribution

21 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Home Services

20 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • Property Management: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

16 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • Hair Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

12 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Health & Fitness

11 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Education & Childcare

9 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

  • Daycare Centers: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Technology & Media

8 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

7 related employer businesses in Douglas County.

Working with owners in Douglas County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Douglas County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Douglas 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 Douglas 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