Selling a Business in Grand Island

Owners in the Grand Island area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,282 employer businesses, and 85% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Grand Island by the numbers

2,282

2,282

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

6,089

6,089

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

38,368

38,368

EMPLOYMENT

$1.9 billion

$1.9 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,000

1,000

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 Grand Island compares

  • The Grand Island area ranks 3rd of 3 Nebraska metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 15% of employer businesses in Grand Island, compared with 12% in Nebraska.

  • 1,000 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Grand Island area ranks 3rd of 3 Nebraska metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 15% of employer businesses in Grand Island, compared with 12% in Nebraska.

  • 1,000 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 345 employer businesses

  • Construction: 311 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 252 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 242 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 187 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 345 employer businesses

  • Construction: 311 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 252 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 242 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 187 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 Grand Island

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Grand Island. 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

308 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

  • General Contracting: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 5 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.

Restaurants & Food

148 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Retail Stores

146 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Medical Practices

144 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Financial & Professional Services

136 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Logistics & Transportation

112 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Automotive & Boat

103 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

  • Auto Repair: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Wholesale & Distribution

62 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Manufacturing

61 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Gas Stations & Convenience

50 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Home Services

37 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Entertainment & Recreation

32 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

  • Bars & Pubs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 7 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.

  • 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

27 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

  • Hair Salons: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

24 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Hospitality & Travel

23 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

  • Hotels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Education & Childcare

16 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

  • Daycare Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

16 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Senior Care & Living

15 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Technology & Media

6 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Pet Services

5 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Grand Island. 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

308 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

  • General Contracting: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 5 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.

Restaurants & Food

148 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Retail Stores

146 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Medical Practices

144 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Financial & Professional Services

136 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Logistics & Transportation

112 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Automotive & Boat

103 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

  • Auto Repair: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Wholesale & Distribution

62 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Manufacturing

61 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Gas Stations & Convenience

50 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Home Services

37 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Entertainment & Recreation

32 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

  • Bars & Pubs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 7 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.

  • 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

27 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

  • Hair Salons: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

24 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Hospitality & Travel

23 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

  • Hotels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Education & Childcare

16 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

  • Daycare Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

16 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Senior Care & Living

15 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Technology & Media

6 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

Pet Services

5 related employer businesses in Grand Island.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Grand Island

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Grand Island ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Grand Island?

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 Grand Island?

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 Grand Island

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