Home

Sell a Business

Illinois

Jo Daviess County

Selling a Business in Jo Daviess County

Jo Daviess County has 673 employer businesses, and 90% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

Get a Free Valuation

Areas in Illinois

Adams County

Bloomington

Bureau County

Carroll County

Cass County

Champaign

Chicago

Christian County

Clark County

Clay County

Coles County

Cook County

Crawford County

Cumberland County

De Witt County

Decatur

Douglas County

DuPage County

Edgar County

Effingham County

Fayette County

Franklin County

Fulton County

Greene County

Hamilton County

Hancock County

Iroquois County

Jackson County

Jasper County

Jefferson County

Jo Daviess County

Johnson County

Kankakee

Knox County

Lake County

LaSalle County

Lawrence County

Lee County

Livingston County

Logan County

Marion County

Mason County

McDonough County

Montgomery County

Morgan County

Moultrie County

Ogle County

Peoria

Perry County

Pike County

Randolph County

Richland County

Rockford

Saline County

Schuyler County

Shelby County

Springfield

Stephenson County

Union County

Vermilion County

Wabash County

Warren County

Washington County

Wayne County

White County

Whiteside County

Will County

Williamson County

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Jo Daviess County by the numbers

673

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

90%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

1,926

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

6,609

EMPLOYMENT

$321 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

238

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 Jo Daviess County compares

Jo Daviess County ranks 47th of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 4.7% between 2018 and 2023.
Retail makes up 17% of employer businesses in Jo Daviess County, compared with 11% in Illinois.
238 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Jo Daviess County ranks 47th of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 4.7% between 2018 and 2023.
Retail makes up 17% of employer businesses in Jo Daviess County, compared with 11% in Illinois.
238 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 115 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 92 employer businesses
Construction: 88 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 65 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 44 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 115 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 92 employer businesses
Construction: 88 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 65 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 44 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Jo Daviess County

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

Electronics & Repair

Retail Stores

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry

Retail Stores

Bakeries

Restaurants & Food

Coffee Shops

Restaurants & Food

Bed & Breakfasts / Inns

Hospitality & Travel

Campgrounds & RV Parks

Hospitality & Travel

Every kind of business we sell in Jo Daviess County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Jo Daviess 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

97 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
General Contracting: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Electrical: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

63 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Full-Service Restaurants: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Retail Stores

48 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 19 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.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

35 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

General Freight Trucking: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

33 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Insurance Agencies: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.

Automotive & Boat

30 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Auto Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

21 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Bars & Pubs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 17 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.

Manufacturing

20 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Metal Fabrication: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

18 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Hotels: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

18 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Primary & Family Care: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

14 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Gas Stations: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Wholesale & Distribution

6 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Food & Beverage Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

5 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

4 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Day Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

4 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Propane & Fuel Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.

Education & Childcare

3 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Daycare Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Home Services

3 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Residential Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

3 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Creative Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.

Construction & Engineering

97 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
General Contracting: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Electrical: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

63 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Full-Service Restaurants: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Retail Stores

48 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 19 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.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

35 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

General Freight Trucking: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

33 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Insurance Agencies: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.

Automotive & Boat

30 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Auto Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

21 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Bars & Pubs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 17 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.

Manufacturing

20 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Metal Fabrication: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

18 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Hotels: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

18 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Primary & Family Care: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

14 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Gas Stations: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Wholesale & Distribution

6 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Food & Beverage Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

5 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

4 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Day Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

4 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Propane & Fuel Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.

Education & Childcare

3 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Daycare Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Home Services

3 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Residential Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

3 related employer businesses in Jo Daviess County.

Creative Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.

Working with owners in Jo Daviess County

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

Get a Free Valuation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Jo Daviess County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Jo Daviess 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 Jo Daviess 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 Jo Daviess 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