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Fulton County

Selling a Business in Fulton County

Fulton County has 596 employer businesses, and 89% 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

Fulton County by the numbers

596

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

1,587

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

6,400

EMPLOYMENT

$281 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

257

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 Fulton County compares

Fulton County ranks 51st of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 3.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Repair, personal care and other services makes up 15% of employer businesses in Fulton County, compared with 10% in Illinois.
257 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Fulton County ranks 51st of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 3.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Repair, personal care and other services makes up 15% of employer businesses in Fulton County, compared with 10% in Illinois.
257 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 98 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 90 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 72 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 68 employer businesses
Construction: 63 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 98 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 90 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 72 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 68 employer businesses
Construction: 63 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Fulton County

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

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 Fulton County

These are the industries in Fulton 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

59 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Full-Service Restaurants: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Construction & Engineering

54 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

General Contracting: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Electrical: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

30 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Primary & Family Care: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

29 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Insurance Agencies: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

26 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

General Freight Trucking: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

25 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Auto Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

19 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Retail Stores

18 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Gas Stations & Convenience

17 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Gas Stations: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Education & Childcare

7 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

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

Home Services

6 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Residential Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

Energy & Utilities

4 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

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

Hospitality & Travel

4 related employer businesses in Fulton 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

4 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Home Infusion: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

3 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Health & Fitness

3 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

59 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Full-Service Restaurants: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Construction & Engineering

54 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

General Contracting: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Electrical: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

30 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Primary & Family Care: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

29 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Insurance Agencies: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

26 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

General Freight Trucking: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

25 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Auto Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

19 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Retail Stores

18 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Gas Stations & Convenience

17 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Gas Stations: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Education & Childcare

7 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

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

Home Services

6 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Residential Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

Energy & Utilities

4 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

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

Hospitality & Travel

4 related employer businesses in Fulton 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

4 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Home Infusion: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

3 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Health & Fitness

3 related employer businesses in Fulton County.

Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Working with owners in Fulton County

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

Get a Free Valuation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Fulton County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Fulton 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 Fulton 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