Selling a Business in Dane County

Dane County has 14,765 employer businesses, and 81% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Dane County by the numbers

14,765

14,765

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

81%

81%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

44,775

44,775

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

314,435

314,435

EMPLOYMENT

$22.4 billion

$22.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

6,432

6,432

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 Dane County compares

  • Dane County ranks 2nd of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 14% of employer businesses in Dane County, compared with 8% in Wisconsin.

  • 6,432 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Dane County ranks 2nd of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 14% of employer businesses in Dane County, compared with 8% in Wisconsin.

  • 6,432 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 2,016 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,660 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,620 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,513 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,456 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 2,016 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,660 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,620 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,513 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,456 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Dane County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Dane 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

1,564 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • General Contracting: 411 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 258 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 241 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 180 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 133 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 128 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 128 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Masonry: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

1,214 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Financial & Professional Services

964 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Medical Practices

790 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Retail Stores

705 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Manufacturing

446 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Automotive & Boat

397 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Auto Repair: 158 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

375 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Property Management: 178 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 167 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 167 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

334 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Beauty & Personal Care

332 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Hair Salons: 198 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

330 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Logistics & Transportation

286 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Entertainment & Recreation

271 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

236 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Education & Childcare

219 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Daycare Centers: 202 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Health & Fitness

201 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

172 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Gas Stations: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Hospitality & Travel

160 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Hotels: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

139 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Pet Services

102 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Energy & Utilities

37 related employer businesses in Dane County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Dane 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

1,564 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • General Contracting: 411 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 258 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 241 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 180 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 133 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 128 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 128 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Masonry: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

1,214 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Financial & Professional Services

964 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Medical Practices

790 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Retail Stores

705 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Manufacturing

446 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Automotive & Boat

397 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Auto Repair: 158 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

375 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Property Management: 178 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 167 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 167 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

334 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Beauty & Personal Care

332 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Hair Salons: 198 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

330 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Logistics & Transportation

286 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Entertainment & Recreation

271 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

236 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Education & Childcare

219 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Daycare Centers: 202 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Health & Fitness

201 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

172 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Gas Stations: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Hospitality & Travel

160 related employer businesses in Dane County.

  • Hotels: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

139 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Pet Services

102 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Energy & Utilities

37 related employer businesses in Dane County.

Working with owners in Dane County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Dane County ask

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