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Franklin County

Selling a Business in Franklin County

Franklin County has 696 employer businesses, and 90% 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 repair, personal care and other services.

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LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Franklin County by the numbers

696

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

90%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

2,073

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

6,940

EMPLOYMENT

$293 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

310

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 Franklin County compares

Franklin County ranks 44th of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 1.8% between 2018 and 2023.
Retail makes up 18% of employer businesses in Franklin County, compared with 11% in Illinois.
310 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Franklin County ranks 44th of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 1.8% between 2018 and 2023.
Retail makes up 18% of employer businesses in Franklin County, compared with 11% in Illinois.
310 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 125 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 96 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 91 employer businesses
Construction: 70 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 66 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 125 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 96 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 91 employer businesses
Construction: 70 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 66 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Franklin County

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service, construction

Electronics & Repair

Retail Stores

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry

Retail Stores

Barber Shops

Beauty & Personal Care

Day Spas

Beauty & Personal Care

Auto Parts

Automotive & Boat

Auto Repair

Automotive & Boat

Every kind of business we sell in Franklin County

These are the industries in Franklin 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

75 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.

Construction & Engineering

59 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

General Contracting: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

Automotive & Boat

37 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Auto Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

37 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Dental Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Medical Labs & Imaging: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
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.

Retail Stores

29 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

28 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Gas Stations: 25 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.

Financial & Professional Services

26 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Insurance Agencies: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.

Entertainment & Recreation

17 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Bars & Pubs: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

15 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

General Freight Trucking: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.

Manufacturing

15 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Metal Fabrication: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

14 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Education & Childcare

7 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Daycare Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

7 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Wellness & Recovery Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.

Home Services

5 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Pest Control: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

5 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Energy & Utilities

4 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Water & Wastewater Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

75 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.

Construction & Engineering

59 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

General Contracting: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

Automotive & Boat

37 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Auto Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

37 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Dental Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Medical Labs & Imaging: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
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.

Retail Stores

29 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

28 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Gas Stations: 25 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.

Financial & Professional Services

26 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Insurance Agencies: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.

Entertainment & Recreation

17 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Bars & Pubs: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

15 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

General Freight Trucking: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.

Manufacturing

15 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Metal Fabrication: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

14 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Education & Childcare

7 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Daycare Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

7 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Wellness & Recovery Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.

Home Services

5 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Pest Control: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

5 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Energy & Utilities

4 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Water & Wastewater Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Working with owners in Franklin County

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

Get a Free Valuation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Franklin County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Franklin 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 Franklin 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