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Manitowoc County

Selling a Business in Manitowoc County

Manitowoc County has 1,726 employer businesses, and 83% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Manitowoc County by the numbers

1,726

1,726

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

4,318

4,318

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

28,889

28,889

EMPLOYMENT

$1.5 billion

$1.5 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

771

771

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 Manitowoc County compares

  • Manitowoc County ranks 21st of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 10% of employer businesses in Manitowoc County, compared with 6% in Wisconsin.

  • 771 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Manitowoc County ranks 21st of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 10% of employer businesses in Manitowoc County, compared with 6% in Wisconsin.

  • 771 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 219 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 190 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 184 employer businesses

  • Construction: 183 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 170 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 219 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 190 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 184 employer businesses

  • Construction: 183 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 170 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Manitowoc County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Manitowoc 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

188 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • General Contracting: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

136 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Manufacturing

124 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Logistics & Transportation

102 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Financial & Professional Services

80 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Automotive & Boat

72 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • Auto Repair: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

69 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Retail Stores

62 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Entertainment & Recreation

48 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

35 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • Gas Stations: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Beauty & Personal Care

21 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • Hair Salons: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

21 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Home Services

19 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

17 related employer businesses in Manitowoc 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.

  • Transportation Services: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

11 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

11 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Education & Childcare

9 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • Daycare Centers: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Health & Fitness

8 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Technology & Media

8 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Manitowoc 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

188 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • General Contracting: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

136 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Manufacturing

124 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Logistics & Transportation

102 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Financial & Professional Services

80 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Automotive & Boat

72 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • Auto Repair: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

69 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Retail Stores

62 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Entertainment & Recreation

48 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

35 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • Gas Stations: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Beauty & Personal Care

21 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • Hair Salons: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

21 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Home Services

19 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

17 related employer businesses in Manitowoc 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.

  • Transportation Services: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

11 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

11 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Education & Childcare

9 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

  • Daycare Centers: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Health & Fitness

8 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Technology & Media

8 related employer businesses in Manitowoc County.

Working with owners in Manitowoc County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Manitowoc County ask

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