Selling a Business in Otsego County

Otsego County has 1,295 employer businesses, and 88% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Otsego County by the numbers

1,295

1,295

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

88%

88%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

4,524

4,524

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

18,030

18,030

EMPLOYMENT

$1.0 billion

$1.0 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

532

532

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 Otsego County compares

  • Otsego County ranks 40th of 62 New York counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 5.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Otsego County, compared with 3% in New York.

  • 532 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Otsego County ranks 40th of 62 New York counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 5.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Otsego County, compared with 3% in New York.

  • 532 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 239 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 186 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 158 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 143 employer businesses

  • Construction: 100 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 239 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 186 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 158 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 143 employer businesses

  • Construction: 100 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Otsego County

Retail, accommodation and food service, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services

Every kind of business we sell in Otsego County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Otsego 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

129 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Construction & Engineering

104 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • General Contracting: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • 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.

  • Electrical: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Retail Stores

64 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Financial & Professional Services

55 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Automotive & Boat

54 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Auto Repair: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Medical Practices

47 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Hospitality & Travel

46 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Hotels: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

45 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Gas Stations: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Manufacturing

33 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Energy & Utilities

25 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Entertainment & Recreation

22 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

16 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Senior Care & Living

16 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Home Services

13 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Logistics & Transportation

12 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Wholesale & Distribution

10 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Health & Fitness

8 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Pet Services

8 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Beauty & Personal Care

7 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Hair Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

Education & Childcare

4 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Technology & Media

4 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Otsego 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

129 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Construction & Engineering

104 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • General Contracting: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • 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.

  • Electrical: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Retail Stores

64 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Financial & Professional Services

55 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Automotive & Boat

54 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Auto Repair: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Medical Practices

47 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Hospitality & Travel

46 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Hotels: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

45 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Gas Stations: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Manufacturing

33 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Energy & Utilities

25 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Entertainment & Recreation

22 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

16 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Senior Care & Living

16 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Home Services

13 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Logistics & Transportation

12 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Wholesale & Distribution

10 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Health & Fitness

8 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Pet Services

8 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Beauty & Personal Care

7 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Hair Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

Education & Childcare

4 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

  • Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Technology & Media

4 related employer businesses in Otsego County.

Working with owners in Otsego County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Otsego County ask

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