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Otter Tail County

Selling a Business in Otter Tail County

Otter Tail County has 1,730 employer businesses, and 89% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Otter Tail County by the numbers

1,730

1,730

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

5,344

5,344

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

18,813

18,813

EMPLOYMENT

$928 million

$928 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

617

617

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 Otter Tail County compares

  • Otter Tail County ranks 15th of 87 Minnesota counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 15% of employer businesses in Otter Tail County, compared with 11% in Minnesota.

  • 617 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Otter Tail County ranks 15th of 87 Minnesota counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 15% of employer businesses in Otter Tail County, compared with 11% in Minnesota.

  • 617 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 253 employer businesses

  • Retail: 252 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 214 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 184 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 169 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 253 employer businesses

  • Retail: 252 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 214 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 184 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 169 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Otter Tail County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Otter Tail 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

252 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • General Contracting: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

  • Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

Restaurants & Food

132 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Financial & Professional Services

110 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Retail Stores

81 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Automotive & Boat

71 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • Auto Repair: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Auto Parts: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Boat Dealerships: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

66 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Manufacturing

57 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

48 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • Gas Stations: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Logistics & Transportation

45 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Hospitality & Travel

31 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • Hotels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Entertainment & Recreation

30 related employer businesses in Otter Tail 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: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

23 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Energy & Utilities

18 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Beauty & Personal Care

17 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • Hair Salons: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Home Services

16 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 4 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

16 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Technology & Media

15 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Education & Childcare

8 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • Daycare Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

8 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Pet Services

7 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Otter Tail 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

252 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • General Contracting: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

  • Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

Restaurants & Food

132 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Financial & Professional Services

110 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Retail Stores

81 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Automotive & Boat

71 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • Auto Repair: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Auto Parts: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Boat Dealerships: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

66 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Manufacturing

57 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

48 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • Gas Stations: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Logistics & Transportation

45 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Hospitality & Travel

31 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • Hotels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Entertainment & Recreation

30 related employer businesses in Otter Tail 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: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

23 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Energy & Utilities

18 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Beauty & Personal Care

17 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • Hair Salons: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Home Services

16 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 4 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

16 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Technology & Media

15 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Education & Childcare

8 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

  • Daycare Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

8 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Pet Services

7 related employer businesses in Otter Tail County.

Working with owners in Otter Tail County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Otter Tail County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail 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