Selling a Business in Barry County

Barry County has 775 employer businesses, and 89% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Barry County by the numbers

775

775

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

2,897

2,897

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

11,838

11,838

EMPLOYMENT

$541 million

$541 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

308

308

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 Barry County compares

  • Barry County ranks 30th of 115 Missouri counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Barry County, compared with 4% in Missouri.

  • 308 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Barry County ranks 30th of 115 Missouri counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Barry County, compared with 4% in Missouri.

  • 308 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 128 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 100 employer businesses

  • Construction: 80 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 70 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 58 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 128 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 100 employer businesses

  • Construction: 80 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 70 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 58 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Barry County

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, construction, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Barry County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Barry County. 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

72 related employer businesses in Barry County.

  • General Contracting: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • HVAC Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 5 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.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

62 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Financial & Professional Services

55 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Automotive & Boat

38 related employer businesses in Barry County.

  • Auto Repair: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 12 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.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

37 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Retail Stores

37 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Manufacturing

31 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Medical Practices

28 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

23 related employer businesses in Barry County.

  • Gas Stations: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Home Services

11 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Barry County.

  • Hotels: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

9 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Senior Care & Living

7 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Energy & Utilities

6 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Beauty & Personal Care

5 related employer businesses in Barry County.

  • Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

5 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Education & Childcare

4 related employer businesses in Barry County.

  • Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

3 related employer businesses in Barry 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.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Barry County. 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

72 related employer businesses in Barry County.

  • General Contracting: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • HVAC Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 5 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.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

62 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Financial & Professional Services

55 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Automotive & Boat

38 related employer businesses in Barry County.

  • Auto Repair: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 12 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.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

37 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Retail Stores

37 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Manufacturing

31 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Medical Practices

28 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

23 related employer businesses in Barry County.

  • Gas Stations: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Home Services

11 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Barry County.

  • Hotels: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

9 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Senior Care & Living

7 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Energy & Utilities

6 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Beauty & Personal Care

5 related employer businesses in Barry County.

  • Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

5 related employer businesses in Barry County.

Education & Childcare

4 related employer businesses in Barry County.

  • Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

3 related employer businesses in Barry 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.

Working with owners in Barry County

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Barry County. Contact us to talk about a sale.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Barry County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Barry County?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers. Many sales take six months or longer from the start of the process to closing.

How is a business valued in Barry 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 Barry 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