Selling a Business in Champaign

Owners in the Champaign area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 4,919 employer businesses, and 84% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Champaign by the numbers

4,919

4,919

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

16,181

16,181

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

80,065

80,065

EMPLOYMENT

$4.4 billion

$4.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,192

2,192

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 Champaign compares

  • The Champaign area ranks 5th of 8 Illinois metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 13% of employer businesses in Champaign, compared with 9% in Illinois.

  • 2,192 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Champaign area ranks 5th of 8 Illinois metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 13% of employer businesses in Champaign, compared with 9% in Illinois.

  • 2,192 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Accommodation and food service: 663 employer businesses

  • Retail: 653 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 569 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 499 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 439 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Accommodation and food service: 663 employer businesses

  • Retail: 653 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 569 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 499 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 439 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

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Champaign

Accommodation and food service, retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance

Every kind of business we sell in Champaign

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

551 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Construction & Engineering

498 related employer businesses in Champaign.

  • General Contracting: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

291 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Medical Practices

280 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Retail Stores

265 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Logistics & Transportation

153 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Automotive & Boat

151 related employer businesses in Champaign.

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

  • Collision Repair: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Towing & Repo: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Washes: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

120 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Entertainment & Recreation

100 related employer businesses in Champaign.

  • Bars & Pubs: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Home Services

96 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Beauty & Personal Care

80 related employer businesses in Champaign.

  • Hair Salons: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

80 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Gas Stations & Convenience

76 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Technology & Media

59 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Hospitality & Travel

57 related employer businesses in Champaign.

  • Hotels: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Education & Childcare

55 related employer businesses in Champaign.

  • Daycare Centers: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

51 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Health & Fitness

43 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Pet Services

20 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Senior Care & Living

19 related employer businesses in Champaign.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

551 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Construction & Engineering

498 related employer businesses in Champaign.

  • General Contracting: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

291 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Medical Practices

280 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Retail Stores

265 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Logistics & Transportation

153 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Automotive & Boat

151 related employer businesses in Champaign.

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

  • Collision Repair: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Towing & Repo: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Washes: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

120 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Entertainment & Recreation

100 related employer businesses in Champaign.

  • Bars & Pubs: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Home Services

96 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Beauty & Personal Care

80 related employer businesses in Champaign.

  • Hair Salons: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

80 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Gas Stations & Convenience

76 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Technology & Media

59 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Hospitality & Travel

57 related employer businesses in Champaign.

  • Hotels: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Education & Childcare

55 related employer businesses in Champaign.

  • Daycare Centers: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

51 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Health & Fitness

43 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Pet Services

20 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Champaign.

Senior Care & Living

19 related employer businesses in Champaign.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Champaign

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Champaign ask

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

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 Champaign?

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 Champaign

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