Selling a Business in Fond du Lac

Owners in the Fond du Lac area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,227 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

Fond du Lac by the numbers

2,227

2,227

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

82%

82%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

5,832

5,832

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

42,508

42,508

EMPLOYMENT

$2.4 billion

$2.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,064

1,064

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 Fond du Lac compares

  • The Fond du Lac area ranks 13th of 13 Wisconsin metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 3.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Fond du Lac, compared with 4% in Wisconsin.

  • 1,064 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Fond du Lac area ranks 13th of 13 Wisconsin metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 3.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Fond du Lac, compared with 4% in Wisconsin.

  • 1,064 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 298 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 272 employer businesses

  • Construction: 272 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 246 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 237 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 298 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 272 employer businesses

  • Construction: 272 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 246 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 237 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 Fond du Lac

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, construction, health care and social assistance

Every kind of business we sell in Fond du Lac

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Fond du Lac. 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

285 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

  • General Contracting: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x 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: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 5 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.

Restaurants & Food

178 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Financial & Professional Services

121 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Logistics & Transportation

101 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Retail Stores

101 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Medical Practices

96 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Automotive & Boat

92 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

  • Auto Repair: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

90 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Entertainment & Recreation

62 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

  • Bars & Pubs: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x 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.

Gas Stations & Convenience

53 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Wholesale & Distribution

46 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Beauty & Personal Care

41 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

  • Hair Salons: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

32 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

  • Hotels: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Senior Care & Living

27 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Home Services

23 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Health & Fitness

19 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Pet Services

17 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Education & Childcare

15 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

12 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Energy & Utilities

10 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Technology & Media

7 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Fond du Lac. 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

285 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

  • General Contracting: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x 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: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 5 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.

Restaurants & Food

178 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Financial & Professional Services

121 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Logistics & Transportation

101 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Retail Stores

101 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Medical Practices

96 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Automotive & Boat

92 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

  • Auto Repair: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

90 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Entertainment & Recreation

62 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

  • Bars & Pubs: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x 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.

Gas Stations & Convenience

53 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Wholesale & Distribution

46 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Beauty & Personal Care

41 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

  • Hair Salons: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

32 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

  • Hotels: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Senior Care & Living

27 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Home Services

23 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Health & Fitness

19 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Pet Services

17 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Education & Childcare

15 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

12 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Energy & Utilities

10 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

Technology & Media

7 related employer businesses in Fond du Lac.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Fond du Lac

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Fond du Lac ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Fond du Lac?

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 Fond du Lac?

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 Fond du Lac

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