Selling a Business in Lincoln County
Lincoln County has 671 employer businesses, and 94% 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 construction and retail.
Areas in Montana
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Lincoln County by the numbers
671
671
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
94%
94%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
2,097
2,097
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
4,520
4,520
EMPLOYMENT
$171 million
$171 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
248
248
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 Lincoln County compares
Lincoln County ranks 11th of 56 Montana counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 11.5% between 2018 and 2023.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Lincoln County, compared with 1% in Montana.
248 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Lincoln County ranks 11th of 56 Montana counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 11.5% between 2018 and 2023.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Lincoln County, compared with 1% in Montana.
248 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Construction: 124 employer businesses
Retail: 88 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 71 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 68 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 57 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Construction: 124 employer businesses
Retail: 88 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 71 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 68 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 57 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Lincoln County
Construction, retail, accommodation and food service, health care and social assistance
Every kind of business we sell in Lincoln County
These are the industries in Lincoln 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
114 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
General Contracting: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Electrical: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
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.
Landscaping: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
56 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
38 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
24 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Auto Repair: 11 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.
Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
21 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
General Freight Trucking: 18 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.
Retail Stores
19 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
17 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Dental Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Manufacturing
16 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Home Services
14 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Residential Cleaning: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 11 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.
Entertainment & Recreation
13 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Bars & Pubs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
10 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Daycare Centers: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
9 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Gas Stations: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Hospitality & Travel
8 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Hotels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Pet Services
4 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Lincoln 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.
Senior Care & Living
3 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
These are the industries in Lincoln 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
114 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
General Contracting: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Electrical: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
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.
Landscaping: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
56 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
38 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
24 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Auto Repair: 11 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.
Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
21 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
General Freight Trucking: 18 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.
Retail Stores
19 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
17 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Dental Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Manufacturing
16 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Home Services
14 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Residential Cleaning: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 11 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.
Entertainment & Recreation
13 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Bars & Pubs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
10 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Daycare Centers: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
9 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Gas Stations: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Hospitality & Travel
8 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Hotels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Pet Services
4 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Lincoln 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.
Senior Care & Living
3 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in Lincoln County.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Working with owners in Lincoln County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Lincoln County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Lincoln County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Lincoln County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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