Selling a Business in St. Joseph County
St. Joseph County has 1,149 employer businesses, and 85% 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
St. Joseph County by the numbers
1,149
1,149
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
85%
85%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
4,186
4,186
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
19,429
19,429
EMPLOYMENT
$1.1 billion
$1.1 billion
ANNUAL PAYROLL
520
520
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 St. Joseph County compares
St. Joseph County ranks 31st of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 0.1% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 11% of employer businesses in St. Joseph County, compared with 5% in Michigan.
520 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
St. Joseph County ranks 31st of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 0.1% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 11% of employer businesses in St. Joseph County, compared with 5% in Michigan.
520 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 185 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 156 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 131 employer businesses
Manufacturing: 126 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 110 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 185 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 156 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 131 employer businesses
Manufacturing: 126 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 110 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in St. Joseph County
Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, manufacturing
Every kind of business we sell in St. Joseph County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in St. Joseph 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
102 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Construction & Engineering
85 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
General Contracting: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 12 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: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Manufacturing
71 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Metal Fabrication: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
65 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Auto Repair: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
57 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Primary & Family Care: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
55 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Insurance Agencies: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Retail Stores
50 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Electronics & Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
26 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Gas Stations: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Logistics & Transportation
22 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
General Freight Trucking: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Education & Childcare
15 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
14 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Services
12 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Residential Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 5 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
10 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Beauty & Personal Care
8 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Hair Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
8 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Hotels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
7 related employer businesses in St. Joseph 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.
Entertainment & Recreation
6 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in St. Joseph 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
102 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Construction & Engineering
85 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
General Contracting: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 12 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: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Manufacturing
71 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Metal Fabrication: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
65 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Auto Repair: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
57 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Primary & Family Care: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
55 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Insurance Agencies: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Retail Stores
50 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Electronics & Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
26 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Gas Stations: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Logistics & Transportation
22 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
General Freight Trucking: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Education & Childcare
15 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
14 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Services
12 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Residential Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 5 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
10 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Beauty & Personal Care
8 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Hair Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
8 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Hotels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
7 related employer businesses in St. Joseph 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.
Entertainment & Recreation
6 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in St. Joseph County.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Working with owners in St. Joseph County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in St. Joseph County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in St. Joseph County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph 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