Selling a Business in Vilas County
Vilas County has 961 employer businesses, and 95% 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
Vilas County by the numbers
961
961
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
95%
95%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
2,598
2,598
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
5,887
5,887
EMPLOYMENT
$243 million
$243 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
336
336
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 Vilas County compares
Vilas County ranks 38th of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 1.9% between 2018 and 2023.
Accommodation and food service makes up 22% of employer businesses in Vilas County, compared with 11% in Wisconsin.
336 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Vilas County ranks 38th of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 1.9% between 2018 and 2023.
Accommodation and food service makes up 22% of employer businesses in Vilas County, compared with 11% in Wisconsin.
336 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Accommodation and food service: 216 employer businesses
Construction: 173 employer businesses
Retail: 137 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 78 employer businesses
Administrative and support services: 63 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Accommodation and food service: 216 employer businesses
Construction: 173 employer businesses
Retail: 137 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 78 employer businesses
Administrative and support services: 63 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Vilas County
Accommodation and food service, construction, retail, repair, personal care and other services
Every kind of business we sell in Vilas County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Vilas 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
180 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
General Contracting: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
116 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Retail Stores
53 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Home Decor & Furniture: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
43 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
39 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Bars & Pubs: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 25 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: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Hospitality & Travel
39 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Hotels: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
30 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Auto Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Boat Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Marinas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Gas Stations & Convenience
26 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Gas Stations: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Services
23 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Property Management: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Pest Control: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
20 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
General Freight Trucking: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Medical Practices
20 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Primary & Family Care: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
12 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Manufacturing
9 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
5 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Education & Childcare
4 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
4 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Vilas 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 Vilas 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 Vilas 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
180 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
General Contracting: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
116 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Retail Stores
53 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Home Decor & Furniture: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
43 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
39 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Bars & Pubs: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 25 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: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Hospitality & Travel
39 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Hotels: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
30 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Auto Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Boat Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Marinas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Gas Stations & Convenience
26 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Gas Stations: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Services
23 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Property Management: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Pest Control: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
20 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
General Freight Trucking: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Medical Practices
20 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Primary & Family Care: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
12 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Manufacturing
9 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
5 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Education & Childcare
4 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
4 related employer businesses in Vilas County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Vilas 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 Vilas County.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Working with owners in Vilas County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Vilas County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Vilas County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Vilas 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 Vilas 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 Vilas 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