Selling a Business in Butler County

Butler County has 1,030 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.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Butler County by the numbers

1,030

1,030

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

2,959

2,959

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

15,429

15,429

EMPLOYMENT

$718 million

$718 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

473

473

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 Butler County compares

  • Butler County ranks 23rd of 115 Missouri counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 10.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 20% of employer businesses in Butler County, compared with 14% in Missouri.

  • 473 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Butler County ranks 23rd of 115 Missouri counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 10.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 20% of employer businesses in Butler County, compared with 14% in Missouri.

  • 473 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 204 employer businesses

  • Retail: 194 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 106 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 95 employer businesses

  • Construction: 75 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 204 employer businesses

  • Retail: 194 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 106 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 95 employer businesses

  • Construction: 75 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Butler County

Health care and social assistance, retail, accommodation and food service, repair, personal care and other services

Every kind of business we sell in Butler County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Butler 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.

Restaurants & Food

85 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Medical Practices

74 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Retail Stores

66 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Construction & Engineering

62 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • General Contracting: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Landscaping: 6 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.

  • Electrical: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Senior Care & Living

56 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Automotive & Boat

52 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Car Dealerships: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Auto Parts: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

46 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Logistics & Transportation

34 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

27 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Gas Stations: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

22 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Manufacturing

21 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Wholesale & Distribution

21 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Education & Childcare

15 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

14 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Home Services

13 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

12 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Hotels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Health & Fitness

10 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Beauty & Personal Care

7 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Hair Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Energy & Utilities

3 related employer businesses in Butler County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Butler 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.

Restaurants & Food

85 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Medical Practices

74 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Retail Stores

66 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Construction & Engineering

62 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • General Contracting: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Landscaping: 6 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.

  • Electrical: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Senior Care & Living

56 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Automotive & Boat

52 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Car Dealerships: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Auto Parts: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

46 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Logistics & Transportation

34 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

27 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Gas Stations: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

22 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Manufacturing

21 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Wholesale & Distribution

21 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Education & Childcare

15 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

14 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Home Services

13 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

12 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Hotels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Health & Fitness

10 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Beauty & Personal Care

7 related employer businesses in Butler County.

  • Hair Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Energy & Utilities

3 related employer businesses in Butler County.

Working with owners in Butler County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Butler County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Butler 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 Butler 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 Butler 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