Selling a Business in Lake County
Lake County has 991 employer businesses, and 92% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.
Areas in Montana
Beaverhead County
Big Horn County
Billings
Bozeman
Custer County
Dawson County
Deer Lodge County
Fergus County
Flathead County
Glacier County
Great Falls
Helena
Hill County
Lake County
Lincoln County
Madison County
Missoula
Park County
Pondera County
Powell County
Ravalli County
Richland County
Roosevelt County
Rosebud County
Sanders County
Silver Bow County
Sweet Grass County
Teton County
Toole County
Valley County
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Lake County by the numbers
991
991
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
92%
92%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
2,912
2,912
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
7,817
7,817
EMPLOYMENT
$368 million
$368 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
290
290
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 Lake County compares
Lake County ranks 9th of 56 Montana counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 19.8% between 2018 and 2023.
Construction makes up 23% of employer businesses in Lake County, compared with 16% in Montana.
290 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Lake County ranks 9th of 56 Montana counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 19.8% between 2018 and 2023.
Construction makes up 23% of employer businesses in Lake County, compared with 16% in Montana.
290 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Construction: 224 employer businesses
Retail: 106 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 97 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 95 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 89 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Construction: 224 employer businesses
Retail: 106 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 97 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 95 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 89 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Lake County
Construction, retail, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service
Every kind of business we sell in Lake County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Lake 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
212 related employer businesses in Lake County.
General Contracting: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Carpentry & Framing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Civil Engineering: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
70 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Medical Practices
47 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Primary & Family Care: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
37 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
36 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 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
35 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Auto Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 6 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.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
28 related employer businesses in Lake County.
General Freight Trucking: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Manufacturing
27 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
22 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Bars & Pubs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Services
20 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Residential Cleaning: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 6 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.
Energy & Utilities
12 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Education & Childcare
11 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Daycare Centers: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
10 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Hotels: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 7 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.
Gas Stations & Convenience
9 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Gas Stations: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Health & Fitness
7 related employer businesses in Lake 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.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Senior Care & Living
7 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
5 related employer businesses in Lake 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
3 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Hair Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
3 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Lake 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
212 related employer businesses in Lake County.
General Contracting: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Carpentry & Framing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Civil Engineering: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
70 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Medical Practices
47 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Primary & Family Care: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
37 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
36 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 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
35 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Auto Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 6 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.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
28 related employer businesses in Lake County.
General Freight Trucking: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Manufacturing
27 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
22 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Bars & Pubs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Services
20 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Residential Cleaning: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 6 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.
Energy & Utilities
12 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Education & Childcare
11 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Daycare Centers: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
10 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Hotels: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 7 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.
Gas Stations & Convenience
9 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Gas Stations: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Health & Fitness
7 related employer businesses in Lake 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.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Senior Care & Living
7 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
5 related employer businesses in Lake 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
3 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Hair Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
3 related employer businesses in Lake County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Working with owners in Lake County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Lake County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Lake County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake 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