Selling a Business in Stephenson County
Stephenson County has 1,003 employer businesses, and 86% 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 repair, personal care and other services.
Areas in Illinois
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Stephenson County by the numbers
1,003
1,003
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
86%
86%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
2,740
2,740
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
15,626
15,626
EMPLOYMENT
$900 million
$900 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
445
445
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 Stephenson County compares
Stephenson County ranks 31st of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 4.0% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Stephenson County, compared with 4% in Illinois.
445 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Stephenson County ranks 31st of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 4.0% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Stephenson County, compared with 4% in Illinois.
445 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 138 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 125 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 105 employer businesses
Construction: 102 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 86 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 138 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 125 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 105 employer businesses
Construction: 102 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 86 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Stephenson County
Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, construction
Every kind of business we sell in Stephenson County
These are the industries in Stephenson 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
121 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
General Contracting: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
67 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 24 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.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
66 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Insurance Agencies: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 17 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: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Private Lending: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
52 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
General Freight Trucking: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
51 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Auto Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 7 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.
Retail Stores
44 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 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.
Electronics & Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Medical Practices
42 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Primary & Family Care: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Manufacturing
37 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
26 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Gas Stations: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Entertainment & Recreation
20 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Bars & Pubs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Home Services
14 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Residential Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
9 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Senior Living Communities: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Wholesale & Distribution
9 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
7 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Hair Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Health & Fitness
6 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
6 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
6 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Pet Services
5 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Waste Management & Recycling: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
These are the industries in Stephenson 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
121 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
General Contracting: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
67 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 24 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.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
66 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Insurance Agencies: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 17 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: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Private Lending: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
52 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
General Freight Trucking: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
51 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Auto Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 7 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.
Retail Stores
44 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 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.
Electronics & Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Medical Practices
42 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Primary & Family Care: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Manufacturing
37 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
26 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Gas Stations: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Entertainment & Recreation
20 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Bars & Pubs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Home Services
14 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Residential Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
9 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Senior Living Communities: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Wholesale & Distribution
9 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
7 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Hair Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Health & Fitness
6 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
6 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
6 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Pet Services
5 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in Stephenson County.
Waste Management & Recycling: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Working with owners in Stephenson County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Stephenson County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Stephenson County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Stephenson County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Stephenson 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 Stephenson 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