Selling a Business in Decatur

Owners in the Decatur area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,241 employer businesses, and 83% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Decatur by the numbers

2,241

2,241

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

5,839

5,839

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

42,511

42,511

EMPLOYMENT

$2.9 billion

$2.9 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,063

1,063

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 Decatur compares

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

  • The number of employer businesses fell 4.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 15% of employer businesses in Decatur, compared with 11% in Illinois.

  • 1,063 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

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

  • The number of employer businesses fell 4.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 15% of employer businesses in Decatur, compared with 11% in Illinois.

  • 1,063 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 326 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 285 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 281 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 240 employer businesses

  • Construction: 179 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 326 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 285 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 281 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 240 employer businesses

  • Construction: 179 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 Decatur

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Decatur

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

199 related employer businesses in Decatur.

  • General Contracting: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Electrical: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

195 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Medical Practices

155 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Financial & Professional Services

110 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Retail Stores

109 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Logistics & Transportation

91 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Automotive & Boat

74 related employer businesses in Decatur.

  • Auto Repair: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

Gas Stations & Convenience

65 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Manufacturing

59 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Wholesale & Distribution

53 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Entertainment & Recreation

45 related employer businesses in Decatur.

  • Bars & Pubs: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 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.

Home Services

36 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

29 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Hospitality & Travel

25 related employer businesses in Decatur.

  • Hotels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 20 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.

Senior Care & Living

23 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Health & Fitness

19 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Beauty & Personal Care

18 related employer businesses in Decatur.

  • Hair Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

17 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Technology & Media

13 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Education & Childcare

10 related employer businesses in Decatur.

  • Daycare Centers: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Decatur.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

199 related employer businesses in Decatur.

  • General Contracting: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Electrical: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

195 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Medical Practices

155 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Financial & Professional Services

110 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Retail Stores

109 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Logistics & Transportation

91 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Automotive & Boat

74 related employer businesses in Decatur.

  • Auto Repair: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

Gas Stations & Convenience

65 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Manufacturing

59 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Wholesale & Distribution

53 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Entertainment & Recreation

45 related employer businesses in Decatur.

  • Bars & Pubs: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 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.

Home Services

36 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

29 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Hospitality & Travel

25 related employer businesses in Decatur.

  • Hotels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 20 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.

Senior Care & Living

23 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Health & Fitness

19 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Beauty & Personal Care

18 related employer businesses in Decatur.

  • Hair Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

17 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Technology & Media

13 related employer businesses in Decatur.

Education & Childcare

10 related employer businesses in Decatur.

  • Daycare Centers: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Decatur.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Decatur

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Decatur ask

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

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 Decatur?

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 Decatur

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