Selling a Business in Sawyer County
Sawyer County has 627 employer businesses, and 92% 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
Sawyer County by the numbers
627
627
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
92%
92%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
1,653
1,653
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
5,363
5,363
EMPLOYMENT
$264 million
$264 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
230
230
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 Sawyer County compares
Sawyer County ranks 47th of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 1.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Accommodation and food service makes up 18% of employer businesses in Sawyer County, compared with 11% in Wisconsin.
230 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Sawyer County ranks 47th of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 1.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Accommodation and food service makes up 18% of employer businesses in Sawyer County, compared with 11% in Wisconsin.
230 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Accommodation and food service: 111 employer businesses
Retail: 95 employer businesses
Construction: 88 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 50 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 41 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Accommodation and food service: 111 employer businesses
Retail: 95 employer businesses
Construction: 88 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 50 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 41 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Sawyer County
Accommodation and food service, retail, construction, health care and social assistance
Every kind of business we sell in Sawyer County
These are the industries in Sawyer 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
93 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
General Contracting: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Plumbing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 11 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.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
67 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 5 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.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Retail Stores
36 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
31 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
28 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Bars & Pubs: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
20 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Auto Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Medical Practices
19 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Primary & Family Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
16 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Hotels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Manufacturing
14 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
13 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
General Freight Trucking: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
9 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Gas Stations: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Senior Care & Living
8 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Assisted Living Facilities: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
7 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Education & Childcare
4 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
4 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Beauty & Personal Care
3 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Hair Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Real Estate Media: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
These are the industries in Sawyer 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
93 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
General Contracting: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Plumbing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 11 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.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
67 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 5 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.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Retail Stores
36 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
31 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
28 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Bars & Pubs: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
20 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Auto Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Medical Practices
19 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Primary & Family Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
16 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Hotels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Manufacturing
14 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
13 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
General Freight Trucking: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
9 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Gas Stations: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Senior Care & Living
8 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Assisted Living Facilities: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
7 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Education & Childcare
4 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
4 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Beauty & Personal Care
3 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Hair Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in Sawyer County.
Real Estate Media: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
Working with owners in Sawyer County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Sawyer County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Sawyer County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Sawyer County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Sawyer 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 Sawyer 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