Selling a Business in Williams County
Williams County has 1,652 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.
Areas in North Dakota
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Williams County by the numbers
1,652
1,652
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
85%
85%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
3,303
3,303
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
21,785
21,785
EMPLOYMENT
$1.9 billion
$1.9 billion
ANNUAL PAYROLL
718
718
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 Williams County compares
Williams County ranks 5th of 53 North Dakota counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 9.1% between 2018 and 2023.
Mining and oil and gas makes up 10% of employer businesses in Williams County, compared with 2% in North Dakota.
718 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Williams County ranks 5th of 53 North Dakota counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 9.1% between 2018 and 2023.
Mining and oil and gas makes up 10% of employer businesses in Williams County, compared with 2% in North Dakota.
718 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Professional and technical services: 182 employer businesses
Mining and oil and gas: 165 employer businesses
Transportation and warehousing: 153 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 147 employer businesses
Retail: 144 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Professional and technical services: 182 employer businesses
Mining and oil and gas: 165 employer businesses
Transportation and warehousing: 153 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 147 employer businesses
Retail: 144 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Williams County
Professional and technical services, mining and oil and gas, transportation and warehousing, repair, personal care and other services
Every kind of business we sell in Williams County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Williams 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.
Energy & Utilities
178 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Oil & Gas Services: 154 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Waste Management & Recycling: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
152 related employer businesses in Williams County.
General Freight Trucking: 117 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Construction & Engineering
132 related employer businesses in Williams County.
General Contracting: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Landscaping: 14 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.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
89 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Chemicals, Plastics & Raw Materials Distribution: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
82 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Bakeries: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
74 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 19 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.
Wealth Management: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Automotive & Boat
55 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Auto Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Retail Stores
51 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Electronics & Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Home Services
34 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Residential Cleaning: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 13 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.
Entertainment & Recreation
26 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Bars & Pubs: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
26 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Dental Practices: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
25 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Hotels: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Manufacturing
25 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Metal Fabrication: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
22 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Hair Salons: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Nail Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.
Gas Stations & Convenience
22 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Gas Stations: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Education & Childcare
18 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Daycare Centers: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Health & Fitness
7 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
6 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Williams 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.
Energy & Utilities
178 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Oil & Gas Services: 154 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Waste Management & Recycling: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
152 related employer businesses in Williams County.
General Freight Trucking: 117 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Construction & Engineering
132 related employer businesses in Williams County.
General Contracting: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Landscaping: 14 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.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
89 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Chemicals, Plastics & Raw Materials Distribution: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
82 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Bakeries: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
74 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 19 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.
Wealth Management: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Automotive & Boat
55 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Auto Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Retail Stores
51 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Electronics & Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Home Services
34 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Residential Cleaning: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 13 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.
Entertainment & Recreation
26 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Bars & Pubs: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
26 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Dental Practices: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
25 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Hotels: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Manufacturing
25 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Metal Fabrication: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
22 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Hair Salons: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Nail Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.
Gas Stations & Convenience
22 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Gas Stations: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Education & Childcare
18 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Daycare Centers: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Health & Fitness
7 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
6 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Williams County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Working with owners in Williams County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Williams County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Williams County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Williams 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 Williams 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 Williams 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