Selling a Business in Monroe County
Monroe County has 967 employer businesses, and 84% 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 accommodation and food service and retail.
Areas in Wisconsin
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Monroe County by the numbers
967
967
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
84%
84%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
2,792
2,792
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
16,790
16,790
EMPLOYMENT
$960 million
$960 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
404
404
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 Monroe County compares
Monroe County ranks 37th of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 1.4% between 2018 and 2023.
Transportation and warehousing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Monroe County, compared with 4% in Wisconsin.
404 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Monroe County ranks 37th of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 1.4% between 2018 and 2023.
Transportation and warehousing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Monroe County, compared with 4% in Wisconsin.
404 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Accommodation and food service: 134 employer businesses
Retail: 134 employer businesses
Construction: 102 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 99 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 95 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Accommodation and food service: 134 employer businesses
Retail: 134 employer businesses
Construction: 102 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 99 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 95 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Monroe County
Accommodation and food service, retail, construction, repair, personal care and other services
Every kind of business we sell in Monroe County
These are the industries in Monroe 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
97 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
General Contracting: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
75 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
60 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
General Freight Trucking: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
52 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Insurance Agencies: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Manufacturing
47 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
37 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Bars & Pubs: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
34 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
29 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Gas Stations: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Medical Practices
26 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Primary & Family Care: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
25 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Auto Repair: 12 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: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Hospitality & Travel
24 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Hotels: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
17 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Beauty & Personal Care
12 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Hair Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
12 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Education & Childcare
8 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Daycare Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
7 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Home Services
6 related employer businesses in Monroe 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.
Pet Services
4 related employer businesses in Monroe 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.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Monroe 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.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
These are the industries in Monroe 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
97 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
General Contracting: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
75 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
60 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
General Freight Trucking: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
52 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Insurance Agencies: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Manufacturing
47 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
37 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Bars & Pubs: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
34 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
29 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Gas Stations: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Medical Practices
26 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Primary & Family Care: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
25 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Auto Repair: 12 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: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Hospitality & Travel
24 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Hotels: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
17 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Beauty & Personal Care
12 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Hair Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
12 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Education & Childcare
8 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Daycare Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
7 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Home Services
6 related employer businesses in Monroe 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.
Pet Services
4 related employer businesses in Monroe 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.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Monroe 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.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in Monroe County.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Working with owners in Monroe County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Monroe County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Monroe County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Monroe County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Monroe 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 Monroe 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