Selling a Business in Ford County
Ford County has 803 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.
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LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Ford County by the numbers
803
803
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
85%
85%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
2,313
2,313
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
15,828
15,828
EMPLOYMENT
$830 million
$830 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
378
378
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 Ford County compares
Ford County ranks 17th of 105 Kansas counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 2.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Wholesale makes up 8% of employer businesses in Ford County, compared with 5% in Kansas.
378 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Ford County ranks 17th of 105 Kansas counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 2.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Wholesale makes up 8% of employer businesses in Ford County, compared with 5% in Kansas.
378 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 120 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 94 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 89 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 80 employer businesses
Construction: 69 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 120 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 94 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 89 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 80 employer businesses
Construction: 69 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Ford County
Retail, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service, repair, personal care and other services
Every kind of business we sell in Ford County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Ford 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
74 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Construction & Engineering
57 related employer businesses in Ford County.
General Contracting: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Financial & Professional Services
45 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Insurance Agencies: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Retail Stores
44 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 4 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.
Automotive & Boat
39 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Auto Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
36 related employer businesses in Ford County.
General Freight Trucking: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Medical Practices
34 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Primary & Family Care: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
24 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Chemicals, Plastics & Raw Materials Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
17 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Gas Stations: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Hospitality & Travel
14 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Hotels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Manufacturing
10 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 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.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
9 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Hair Salons: 6 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.
Home Services
9 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
5 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Bars & Pubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
4 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Solar & Renewable Energy: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Health & Fitness
4 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
4 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Senior Living Communities: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
3 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Medical Supply Retail: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Ford 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
74 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Construction & Engineering
57 related employer businesses in Ford County.
General Contracting: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Financial & Professional Services
45 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Insurance Agencies: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Retail Stores
44 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 4 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.
Automotive & Boat
39 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Auto Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
36 related employer businesses in Ford County.
General Freight Trucking: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Medical Practices
34 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Primary & Family Care: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
24 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Chemicals, Plastics & Raw Materials Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
17 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Gas Stations: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Hospitality & Travel
14 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Hotels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Manufacturing
10 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 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.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
9 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Hair Salons: 6 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.
Home Services
9 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
5 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Bars & Pubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
4 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Solar & Renewable Energy: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Health & Fitness
4 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
4 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Senior Living Communities: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
3 related employer businesses in Ford County.
Medical Supply Retail: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Working with owners in Ford County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Ford County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Ford County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Ford 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 Ford 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 Ford 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