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Whiteside County

Selling a Business in Whiteside County

Whiteside County has 1,158 employer businesses, and 87% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Whiteside County by the numbers

1,158

1,158

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

2,956

2,956

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

17,838

17,838

EMPLOYMENT

$862 million

$862 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

482

482

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 Whiteside County compares

  • Whiteside County ranks 27th of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 3.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 7% of employer businesses in Whiteside County, compared with 4% in Illinois.

  • 482 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Whiteside County ranks 27th of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 3.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 7% of employer businesses in Whiteside County, compared with 4% in Illinois.

  • 482 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 173 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 149 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 137 employer businesses

  • Construction: 112 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 109 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 173 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 149 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 137 employer businesses

  • Construction: 112 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 109 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Whiteside County

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service, construction

Every kind of business we sell in Whiteside County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Whiteside 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

105 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Construction & Engineering

97 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • General Contracting: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Landscaping: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

69 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Automotive & Boat

57 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Auto Repair: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Washes: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

Logistics & Transportation

52 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Retail Stores

52 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Manufacturing

51 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Entertainment & Recreation

46 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

35 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

25 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Gas Stations: 22 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.

Wholesale & Distribution

18 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Education & Childcare

11 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Daycare Centers: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

11 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

10 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Beauty & Personal Care

8 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Hair Salons: 5 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.

Home Services

6 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Hospitality & Travel

6 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Health & Fitness

4 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

3 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Whiteside 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

105 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Construction & Engineering

97 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • General Contracting: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Landscaping: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

69 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Automotive & Boat

57 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Auto Repair: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Washes: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

Logistics & Transportation

52 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Retail Stores

52 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Manufacturing

51 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Entertainment & Recreation

46 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

35 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

25 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Gas Stations: 22 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.

Wholesale & Distribution

18 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Education & Childcare

11 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Daycare Centers: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

11 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

10 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Beauty & Personal Care

8 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Hair Salons: 5 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.

Home Services

6 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Hospitality & Travel

6 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Health & Fitness

4 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

3 related employer businesses in Whiteside County.

Working with owners in Whiteside County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Whiteside County ask

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