Selling a Business in Lee County
Lee County has 786 employer businesses, and 86% 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
Lee County by the numbers
786
786
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
86%
86%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
1,829
1,829
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
13,101
13,101
EMPLOYMENT
$686 million
$686 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
337
337
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 Lee County compares
Lee County ranks 20th of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 8.5% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Lee County, compared with 4% in Iowa.
337 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Lee County ranks 20th of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 8.5% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Lee County, compared with 4% in Iowa.
337 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 107 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 96 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 94 employer businesses
Construction: 92 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 83 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 107 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 96 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 94 employer businesses
Construction: 92 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 83 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Lee County
Retail, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services, construction
Every kind of business we sell in Lee County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Lee 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
89 related employer businesses in Lee County.
General Contracting: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
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.
Landscaping: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Restaurants & Food
58 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 18 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.
Medical Practices
42 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Primary & Family Care: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
37 related employer businesses in Lee County.
General Freight Trucking: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Manufacturing
33 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Metal Fabrication: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Printing & Plastics: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
33 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
32 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Insurance Agencies: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Real Estate Brokerages: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
27 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Auto Repair: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
20 related employer businesses in Lee 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: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
19 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Gas Stations: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Education & Childcare
14 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Daycare Centers: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Home Services
11 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Residential Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
11 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Hotels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
8 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Hair Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
8 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
6 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Health & Fitness
5 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
5 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
4 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Pet Services
4 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Lee 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
89 related employer businesses in Lee County.
General Contracting: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
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.
Landscaping: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Restaurants & Food
58 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 18 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.
Medical Practices
42 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Primary & Family Care: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
37 related employer businesses in Lee County.
General Freight Trucking: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Manufacturing
33 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Metal Fabrication: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Printing & Plastics: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
33 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
32 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Insurance Agencies: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Real Estate Brokerages: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
27 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Auto Repair: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
20 related employer businesses in Lee 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: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
19 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Gas Stations: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Education & Childcare
14 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Daycare Centers: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Home Services
11 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Residential Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
11 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Hotels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
8 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Hair Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
8 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
6 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Health & Fitness
5 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
5 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
4 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Pet Services
4 related employer businesses in Lee County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Working with owners in Lee County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Lee County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Lee County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Lee 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 Lee 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 Lee 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