Selling a Business in Elkhart

Owners in the Elkhart area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,211 employer businesses, and 78% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Elkhart by the numbers

5,211

5,211

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

78%

78%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

15,199

15,199

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

136,199

136,199

EMPLOYMENT

$7.7 billion

$7.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,366

2,366

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 Elkhart compares

  • The Elkhart area ranks 5th of 12 Indiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 16% of employer businesses in Elkhart, compared with 5% in Indiana.

  • 2,366 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Elkhart area ranks 5th of 12 Indiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 16% of employer businesses in Elkhart, compared with 5% in Indiana.

  • 2,366 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Manufacturing: 841 employer businesses

  • Retail: 708 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 596 employer businesses

  • Construction: 479 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 432 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Manufacturing: 841 employer businesses

  • Retail: 708 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 596 employer businesses

  • Construction: 479 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 432 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 Elkhart

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

Manufacturing

541 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Construction & Engineering

533 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

  • General Contracting: 155 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

  • Civil Engineering: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

394 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Automotive & Boat

311 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

  • Auto Repair: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Retail Stores

233 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Medical Practices

227 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Financial & Professional Services

219 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Logistics & Transportation

193 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Wholesale & Distribution

141 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Gas Stations & Convenience

96 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Home Services

73 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Beauty & Personal Care

62 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

  • Hair Salons: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

52 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

  • Hotels: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Technology & Media

50 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

45 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Senior Care & Living

35 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Education & Childcare

30 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

  • Daycare Centers: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

27 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

  • Bars & Pubs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 17 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.

  • Bowling Alleys: 4 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.

Health & Fitness

26 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Energy & Utilities

21 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Pet Services

20 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

Manufacturing

541 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Construction & Engineering

533 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

  • General Contracting: 155 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

  • Civil Engineering: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

394 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Automotive & Boat

311 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

  • Auto Repair: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Retail Stores

233 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Medical Practices

227 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Financial & Professional Services

219 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Logistics & Transportation

193 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Wholesale & Distribution

141 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Gas Stations & Convenience

96 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Home Services

73 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Beauty & Personal Care

62 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

  • Hair Salons: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

52 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

  • Hotels: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Technology & Media

50 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

45 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Senior Care & Living

35 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Education & Childcare

30 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

  • Daycare Centers: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

27 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

  • Bars & Pubs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 17 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.

  • Bowling Alleys: 4 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.

Health & Fitness

26 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Energy & Utilities

21 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

Pet Services

20 related employer businesses in Elkhart.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Elkhart

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Elkhart ask

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

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 Elkhart?

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 Elkhart

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