Selling a Business in Bowling Green

Owners in the Bowling Green area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,652 employer businesses, and 82% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Bowling Green by the numbers

3,652

3,652

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

82%

82%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

16,483

16,483

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

67,065

67,065

EMPLOYMENT

$3.4 billion

$3.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,705

1,705

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 Bowling Green compares

  • The Bowling Green area ranks 3rd of 6 Kentucky metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 8.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Bowling Green, compared with 3% in Kentucky.

  • 1,705 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Bowling Green area ranks 3rd of 6 Kentucky metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 8.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Bowling Green, compared with 3% in Kentucky.

  • 1,705 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 631 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 487 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 365 employer businesses

  • Construction: 341 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 333 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 631 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 487 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 365 employer businesses

  • Construction: 341 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 333 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 Bowling Green

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Bowling Green. 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

352 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

  • General Contracting: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

350 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Medical Practices

292 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Retail Stores

251 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Financial & Professional Services

192 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Automotive & Boat

140 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

  • Auto Repair: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Logistics & Transportation

138 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Manufacturing

90 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Wholesale & Distribution

89 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Gas Stations & Convenience

77 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Home Services

56 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Health & Fitness

55 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Hospitality & Travel

47 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

  • Hotels: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

43 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Beauty & Personal Care

32 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

  • Hair Salons: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

32 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Education & Childcare

31 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

  • Daycare Centers: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Energy & Utilities

24 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Entertainment & Recreation

21 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

  • Bars & Pubs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • 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.

Pet Services

15 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Bowling Green. 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

352 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

  • General Contracting: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

350 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Medical Practices

292 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Retail Stores

251 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Financial & Professional Services

192 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Automotive & Boat

140 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

  • Auto Repair: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Logistics & Transportation

138 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Manufacturing

90 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Wholesale & Distribution

89 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Gas Stations & Convenience

77 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Home Services

56 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Health & Fitness

55 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Hospitality & Travel

47 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

  • Hotels: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

43 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Beauty & Personal Care

32 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

  • Hair Salons: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

32 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Education & Childcare

31 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

  • Daycare Centers: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Energy & Utilities

24 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

Entertainment & Recreation

21 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

  • Bars & Pubs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • 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.

Pet Services

15 related employer businesses in Bowling Green.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Bowling Green

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Bowling Green ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Bowling Green?

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 Bowling Green?

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 Bowling Green

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