Selling a Business in Wapello County
Wapello County has 699 employer businesses, and 85% 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 health care and social assistance.
Areas in Iowa
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Wapello County by the numbers
699
699
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
85%
85%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
1,840
1,840
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
12,594
12,594
EMPLOYMENT
$625 million
$625 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
329
329
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 Wapello County compares
Wapello County ranks 24th of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 4.9% between 2018 and 2023.
Health care and social assistance makes up 14% of employer businesses in Wapello County, compared with 11% in Iowa.
329 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Wapello County ranks 24th of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 4.9% between 2018 and 2023.
Health care and social assistance makes up 14% of employer businesses in Wapello County, compared with 11% in Iowa.
329 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 115 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 98 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 77 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 72 employer businesses
Construction: 58 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 115 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 98 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 77 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 72 employer businesses
Construction: 58 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Wapello County
Retail, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service
Every kind of business we sell in Wapello County
These are the industries in Wapello 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.
Restaurants & Food
61 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Construction & Engineering
53 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
General Contracting: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
38 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Insurance Agencies: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Real Estate Brokerages: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
38 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Medical Practices
26 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Dental Practices: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 6 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.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
23 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
General Freight Trucking: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
21 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Auto Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Auto Parts: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Gas Stations & Convenience
21 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Gas Stations: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Manufacturing
13 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
13 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 8 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.
Home Services
11 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Residential Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
11 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME): 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Hospitality & Travel
10 related employer businesses in Wapello 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.
Beauty & Personal Care
7 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Hair Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Health & Fitness
6 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
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
6 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Education & Childcare
4 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
4 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Bars & Pubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
These are the industries in Wapello 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.
Restaurants & Food
61 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Construction & Engineering
53 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
General Contracting: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
38 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Insurance Agencies: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Real Estate Brokerages: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
38 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Medical Practices
26 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Dental Practices: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 6 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.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
23 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
General Freight Trucking: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
21 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Auto Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Auto Parts: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Gas Stations & Convenience
21 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Gas Stations: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Manufacturing
13 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
13 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 8 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.
Home Services
11 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Residential Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
11 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME): 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Hospitality & Travel
10 related employer businesses in Wapello 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.
Beauty & Personal Care
7 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Hair Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Health & Fitness
6 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
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
6 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Education & Childcare
4 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
4 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Bars & Pubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Wapello County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Working with owners in Wapello County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Wapello County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Wapello County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Wapello County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Wapello 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 Wapello 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