Selling a Business in Kent County

Kent County has 17,799 employer businesses, and 79% 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 health care and social assistance.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Kent County by the numbers

17,799

17,799

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

79%

79%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

58,452

58,452

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

384,635

384,635

EMPLOYMENT

$23.0 billion

$23.0 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

7,967

7,967

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 4th of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 6% of employer businesses in Kent County, compared with 4% in Michigan.

  • 7,967 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Kent County ranks 4th of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 6% of employer businesses in Kent County, compared with 4% in Michigan.

  • 7,967 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 2,162 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 2,008 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,956 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,799 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,610 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 2,162 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 2,008 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,956 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,799 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,610 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Kent County

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

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

1,833 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • General Contracting: 548 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 283 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 269 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 203 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 203 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 151 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 132 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

1,382 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Financial & Professional Services

1,202 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Medical Practices

1,177 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Retail Stores

903 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Manufacturing

770 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Automotive & Boat

623 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Auto Repair: 248 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

530 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Logistics & Transportation

492 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Technology & Media

329 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Home Services

310 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 166 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 166 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 109 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

286 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Hair Salons: 204 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

175 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

175 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Gas Stations: 142 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

168 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Education & Childcare

148 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Daycare Centers: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

138 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Hotels: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

130 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Health & Fitness

114 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Energy & Utilities

77 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Pet Services

76 related employer businesses 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

1,833 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • General Contracting: 548 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 283 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 269 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 203 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 203 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 151 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 132 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

1,382 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Financial & Professional Services

1,202 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Medical Practices

1,177 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Retail Stores

903 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Manufacturing

770 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Automotive & Boat

623 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Auto Repair: 248 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

530 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Logistics & Transportation

492 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Technology & Media

329 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Home Services

310 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 166 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 166 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 109 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

286 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Hair Salons: 204 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

175 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

175 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Gas Stations: 142 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

168 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Education & Childcare

148 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Daycare Centers: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

138 related employer businesses in Kent County.

  • Hotels: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

130 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Health & Fitness

114 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Energy & Utilities

77 related employer businesses in Kent County.

Pet Services

76 related employer businesses in Kent County.

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