Selling a Business in Kent County
Kent County has 570 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 repair, personal care and other services.
Areas in Maryland
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Kent County by the numbers
570
570
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
88%
88%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
1,894
1,894
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
6,462
6,462
EMPLOYMENT
$327 million
$327 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
237
237
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 Kent County compares
Kent County ranks 23rd of 24 Maryland counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 5.8% between 2018 and 2023.
Arts, entertainment and recreation makes up 5% of employer businesses in Kent County, compared with 2% in Maryland.
237 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Kent County ranks 23rd of 24 Maryland counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 5.8% between 2018 and 2023.
Arts, entertainment and recreation makes up 5% of employer businesses in Kent County, compared with 2% in Maryland.
237 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 74 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 72 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 67 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 58 employer businesses
Construction: 52 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 74 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 72 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 67 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 58 employer businesses
Construction: 52 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Kent County
Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service
Every kind of business we sell in Kent County
These are the industries in Kent 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
58 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Landscaping: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
General Contracting: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
51 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 7 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.
Medical Practices
28 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Primary & Family Care: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
26 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Marinas: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Auto Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
23 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Wealth Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Real Estate Brokerages: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
20 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 8 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.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Manufacturing
10 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Metal Fabrication: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Home Services
9 related employer businesses in Kent 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.
Property Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
7 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Hair Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
7 related employer businesses in Kent County.
General Freight Trucking: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
7 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Gas Stations & Convenience
6 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Gas Stations: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Hospitality & Travel
6 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Hotels: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
5 related employer businesses in Kent 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.
Education & Childcare
4 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
4 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
4 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Waste Management & Recycling: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Creative Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
These are the industries in Kent 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
58 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Landscaping: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
General Contracting: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
51 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 7 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.
Medical Practices
28 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Primary & Family Care: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
26 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Marinas: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Auto Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
23 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Wealth Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Real Estate Brokerages: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
20 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 8 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.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Manufacturing
10 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Metal Fabrication: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Home Services
9 related employer businesses in Kent 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.
Property Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
7 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Hair Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
7 related employer businesses in Kent County.
General Freight Trucking: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
7 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Gas Stations & Convenience
6 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Gas Stations: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Hospitality & Travel
6 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Hotels: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
5 related employer businesses in Kent 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.
Education & Childcare
4 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
4 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
4 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Waste Management & Recycling: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in Kent County.
Creative Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Working with owners in Kent County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Kent County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Kent County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Kent County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Kent 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 Kent 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