Selling a Business in Knox County

Knox County has 1,823 employer businesses, and 93% 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

Knox County by the numbers

1,823

1,823

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

93%

93%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

5,949

5,949

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

14,502

14,502

EMPLOYMENT

$763 million

$763 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

620

620

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 Knox County compares

  • Knox County ranks 8th of 16 Maine counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Agriculture, forestry and fishing makes up 8% of employer businesses in Knox County, compared with 2% in Maine.

  • 620 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Knox County ranks 8th of 16 Maine counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Agriculture, forestry and fishing makes up 8% of employer businesses in Knox County, compared with 2% in Maine.

  • 620 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 233 employer businesses

  • Construction: 226 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 176 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 176 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 172 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 233 employer businesses

  • Construction: 226 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 176 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 176 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 172 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Knox County

These are the industries in Knox 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

252 related employer businesses in Knox County.

  • General Contracting: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

131 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Financial & Professional Services

82 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Medical Practices

77 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Retail Stores

76 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Automotive & Boat

71 related employer businesses in Knox County.

  • Auto Repair: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Marinas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

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

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

Manufacturing

70 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Hospitality & Travel

59 related employer businesses in Knox County.

  • Hotels: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

36 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

32 related employer businesses in Knox County.

  • Gas Stations: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Wholesale & Distribution

29 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Beauty & Personal Care

28 related employer businesses in Knox County.

  • Hair Salons: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Health & Fitness

25 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Technology & Media

25 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Senior Care & Living

19 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Education & Childcare

16 related employer businesses in Knox County.

  • Daycare Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

16 related employer businesses in Knox County.

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

  • Bars & Pubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

13 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

9 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Logistics & Transportation

7 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Pet Services

5 related employer businesses in Knox County.

These are the industries in Knox 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

252 related employer businesses in Knox County.

  • General Contracting: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

131 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Financial & Professional Services

82 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Medical Practices

77 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Retail Stores

76 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Automotive & Boat

71 related employer businesses in Knox County.

  • Auto Repair: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Marinas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

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

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

Manufacturing

70 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Hospitality & Travel

59 related employer businesses in Knox County.

  • Hotels: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

36 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

32 related employer businesses in Knox County.

  • Gas Stations: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Wholesale & Distribution

29 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Beauty & Personal Care

28 related employer businesses in Knox County.

  • Hair Salons: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Health & Fitness

25 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Technology & Media

25 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Senior Care & Living

19 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Education & Childcare

16 related employer businesses in Knox County.

  • Daycare Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

16 related employer businesses in Knox County.

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

  • Bars & Pubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

13 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

9 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Logistics & Transportation

7 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Pet Services

5 related employer businesses in Knox County.

Working with owners in Knox County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Knox County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Knox 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 Knox 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