Selling a Business in Fargo
Owners in the Fargo area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 7,294 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
Fargo by the numbers
7,294
7,294
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
82%
82%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
20,476
20,476
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
130,067
130,067
EMPLOYMENT
$7.9 billion
$7.9 billion
ANNUAL PAYROLL
3,273
3,273
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 Fargo compares
The Fargo area ranks 1st of 4 North Dakota metro areas for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 5.5% between 2018 and 2023.
Real estate and rental makes up 6% of employer businesses in Fargo, compared with 4% in North Dakota.
3,273 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
The Fargo area ranks 1st of 4 North Dakota metro areas for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 5.5% between 2018 and 2023.
Real estate and rental makes up 6% of employer businesses in Fargo, compared with 4% in North Dakota.
3,273 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Construction: 945 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 828 employer businesses
Retail: 826 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 722 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 634 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Construction: 945 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 828 employer businesses
Retail: 826 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 722 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 634 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 Fargo
Construction, health care and social assistance, retail, repair, personal care and other services
Every kind of business we sell in Fargo
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Fargo. 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
994 related employer businesses in Fargo.
General Contracting: 262 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 166 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Roofing & Siding: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Carpentry & Framing: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Masonry: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
558 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Insurance Agencies: 176 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 173 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Private Lending: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Mortgage Brokerages: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
476 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 188 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Bakeries: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Ghost Kitchens. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Retail Stores
358 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Electronics & Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Medical Practices
347 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Dental Practices: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Primary & Family Care: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Specialty Medicine: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Urgent Care Clinics: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Medical Labs & Imaging: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
305 related employer businesses in Fargo.
General Freight Trucking: 195 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Commercial Moving: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.0x SDE.
Port Drayage. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
245 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Auto Repair: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Boat Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
219 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 120 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Chemicals, Plastics & Raw Materials Distribution: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Medical, Dental & Pharmaceutical Distribution: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Packaging, Paper & JanSan Distribution: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Home Services
197 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Residential Cleaning: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 92 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Pest Control: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Security Systems: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.
Audio Visual (AV). Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Junk Removal. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.0x SDE.
Pool & Spa Service. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA.
Manufacturing
183 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Metal Fabrication: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
171 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Hair Salons: 108 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Day Spas: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Nail Salons: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Barber Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.
Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
110 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Bars & Pubs: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Bowling Alleys: 6 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.
Education & Childcare
105 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Daycare Centers: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.
Technology & Media
99 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Media: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
Creative Agencies: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Software Companies (SaaS): 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x SDE.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
E-commerce & Online Brands. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Gas Stations & Convenience
98 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Gas Stations: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Truck Stops & Travel Centers. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Hospitality & Travel
86 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Hotels: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.
Health & Fitness
75 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
73 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Compounding Pharmacies: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME): 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Senior Care & Living
65 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Non-Medical Home Care: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Senior Living Communities: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Adult Day Services. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Pet Services
46 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pet Retail & Specialty Supplies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Inventory.
Mobile & In-Home Pet Care. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Fleet.
Energy & Utilities
32 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Water & Wastewater Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Waste Management & Recycling: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
E-commerce & Online Businesses
Amazon FBA Businesses. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Online Marketplaces. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 6.0x SDE.
Land & Agriculture
Crop Production. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.69x EBITDA.
Livestock & Ranching. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.76x EBITDA.
Agribusiness & Infrastructure. Typical sale multiple: 5.2x - 10.3x EBITDA.
AgTech & Precision Ag. Typical sale multiple: 8.3x - 12.1x EBITDA.
Agri-Tourism & Lifestyle. Typical sale multiple: 2.51x - 4.54x SDE.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Fargo. 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
994 related employer businesses in Fargo.
General Contracting: 262 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 166 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Roofing & Siding: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Carpentry & Framing: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Masonry: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
558 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Insurance Agencies: 176 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 173 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Private Lending: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Mortgage Brokerages: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
476 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 188 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Bakeries: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Ghost Kitchens. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Retail Stores
358 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Electronics & Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Medical Practices
347 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Dental Practices: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Primary & Family Care: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Specialty Medicine: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Urgent Care Clinics: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Medical Labs & Imaging: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
305 related employer businesses in Fargo.
General Freight Trucking: 195 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Commercial Moving: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.0x SDE.
Port Drayage. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
245 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Auto Repair: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Boat Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
219 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 120 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Chemicals, Plastics & Raw Materials Distribution: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Medical, Dental & Pharmaceutical Distribution: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Packaging, Paper & JanSan Distribution: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Home Services
197 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Residential Cleaning: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 92 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Pest Control: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Security Systems: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.
Audio Visual (AV). Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Junk Removal. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.0x SDE.
Pool & Spa Service. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA.
Manufacturing
183 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Metal Fabrication: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
171 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Hair Salons: 108 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Day Spas: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Nail Salons: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Barber Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.
Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
110 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Bars & Pubs: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Bowling Alleys: 6 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.
Education & Childcare
105 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Daycare Centers: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.
Technology & Media
99 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Media: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
Creative Agencies: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Software Companies (SaaS): 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x SDE.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
E-commerce & Online Brands. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Gas Stations & Convenience
98 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Gas Stations: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Truck Stops & Travel Centers. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Hospitality & Travel
86 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Hotels: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.
Health & Fitness
75 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
73 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Compounding Pharmacies: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME): 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Senior Care & Living
65 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Non-Medical Home Care: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Senior Living Communities: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Adult Day Services. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Pet Services
46 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pet Retail & Specialty Supplies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Inventory.
Mobile & In-Home Pet Care. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Fleet.
Energy & Utilities
32 related employer businesses in Fargo.
Water & Wastewater Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Waste Management & Recycling: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
E-commerce & Online Businesses
Amazon FBA Businesses. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Online Marketplaces. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 6.0x SDE.
Land & Agriculture
Crop Production. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.69x EBITDA.
Livestock & Ranching. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.76x EBITDA.
Agribusiness & Infrastructure. Typical sale multiple: 5.2x - 10.3x EBITDA.
AgTech & Precision Ag. Typical sale multiple: 8.3x - 12.1x EBITDA.
Agri-Tourism & Lifestyle. Typical sale multiple: 2.51x - 4.54x SDE.
Counties in this metro area
Working with owners in Fargo
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Fargo. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Fargo ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Fargo?
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 Fargo?
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 Fargo
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