Selling a Business in Waupaca County

Waupaca County has 1,199 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

Waupaca County by the numbers

1,199

1,199

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

88%

88%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

3,242

3,242

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

15,170

15,170

EMPLOYMENT

$712 million

$712 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

449

449

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 Waupaca County compares

  • Waupaca County ranks 30th of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Waupaca County, compared with 10% in Wisconsin.

  • 449 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Waupaca County ranks 30th of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Waupaca County, compared with 10% in Wisconsin.

  • 449 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 168 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 146 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 142 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 138 employer businesses

  • Construction: 120 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 168 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 146 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 142 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 138 employer businesses

  • Construction: 120 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Waupaca County

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

Every kind of business we sell in Waupaca County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Waupaca 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

116 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • General Contracting: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Masonry: 6 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: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

98 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Financial & Professional Services

71 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Medical Practices

61 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Automotive & Boat

58 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • Auto Repair: 21 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.

  • Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

54 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

53 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Manufacturing

51 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Logistics & Transportation

38 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

29 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • Gas Stations: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Hospitality & Travel

22 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Hotels: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

21 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Senior Care & Living

18 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Beauty & Personal Care

15 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

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

  • Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Education & Childcare

15 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Home Services

10 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

6 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Health & Fitness

5 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Pet Services

5 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Technology & Media

4 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Energy & Utilities

3 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Waupaca 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

116 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • General Contracting: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Masonry: 6 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: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

98 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Financial & Professional Services

71 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Medical Practices

61 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Automotive & Boat

58 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • Auto Repair: 21 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.

  • Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

54 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

53 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Manufacturing

51 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Logistics & Transportation

38 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

29 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • Gas Stations: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Hospitality & Travel

22 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Hotels: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

21 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Senior Care & Living

18 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Beauty & Personal Care

15 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

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

  • Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Education & Childcare

15 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Home Services

10 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

6 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Health & Fitness

5 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Pet Services

5 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Technology & Media

4 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Energy & Utilities

3 related employer businesses in Waupaca County.

Working with owners in Waupaca County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Waupaca County ask

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