Selling a Business in Bismarck

Owners in the Bismarck area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 4,160 employer businesses, and 86% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Bismarck by the numbers

4,160

4,160

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

11,388

11,388

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

59,165

59,165

EMPLOYMENT

$3.4 billion

$3.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,758

1,758

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 Bismarck compares

  • The Bismarck area ranks 2nd of 4 North Dakota metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Administrative and support services makes up 6% of employer businesses in Bismarck, compared with 5% in North Dakota.

  • 1,758 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Bismarck area ranks 2nd of 4 North Dakota metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Administrative and support services makes up 6% of employer businesses in Bismarck, compared with 5% in North Dakota.

  • 1,758 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 538 employer businesses

  • Retail: 483 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 477 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 453 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 387 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 538 employer businesses

  • Retail: 483 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 477 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 453 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 387 employer businesses

What buyers look for

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Every kind of business we sell in Bismarck

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Bismarck. 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

584 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

  • General Contracting: 137 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 101 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

307 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Restaurants & Food

246 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Retail Stores

218 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Medical Practices

198 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Logistics & Transportation

180 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Automotive & Boat

146 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

  • Auto Repair: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Wholesale & Distribution

96 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Beauty & Personal Care

86 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

  • Hair Salons: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

83 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Manufacturing

79 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Entertainment & Recreation

66 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

  • Bars & Pubs: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 20 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.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

51 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

  • Hotels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 38 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.

  • Travel Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

49 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Gas Stations & Convenience

47 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

46 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Education & Childcare

45 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

  • Daycare Centers: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Technology & Media

42 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Health & Fitness

39 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Senior Care & Living

39 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Pet Services

21 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Bismarck. 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

584 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

  • General Contracting: 137 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 101 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

307 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Restaurants & Food

246 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Retail Stores

218 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Medical Practices

198 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Logistics & Transportation

180 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Automotive & Boat

146 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

  • Auto Repair: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Wholesale & Distribution

96 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Beauty & Personal Care

86 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

  • Hair Salons: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

83 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Manufacturing

79 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Entertainment & Recreation

66 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

  • Bars & Pubs: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 20 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.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

51 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

  • Hotels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 38 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.

  • Travel Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

49 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Gas Stations & Convenience

47 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

46 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Education & Childcare

45 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

  • Daycare Centers: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Technology & Media

42 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Health & Fitness

39 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Senior Care & Living

39 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

Pet Services

21 related employer businesses in Bismarck.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Bismarck

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Bismarck ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Bismarck?

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 Bismarck?

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 Bismarck

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