Selling a Business in Jackson

Owners in the Jackson area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,991 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

Jackson by the numbers

2,991

2,991

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

9,813

9,813

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

50,612

50,612

EMPLOYMENT

$2.9 billion

$2.9 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,382

1,382

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 Jackson compares

  • The Jackson area ranks 11th of 15 Michigan metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 8% of employer businesses in Jackson, compared with 5% in Michigan.

  • 1,382 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Jackson area ranks 11th of 15 Michigan metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 8% of employer businesses in Jackson, compared with 5% in Michigan.

  • 1,382 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 483 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 395 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 312 employer businesses

  • Construction: 285 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 267 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 483 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 395 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 312 employer businesses

  • Construction: 285 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 267 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 Jackson

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

290 related employer businesses in Jackson.

  • General Contracting: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

257 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Medical Practices

223 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Manufacturing

164 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Retail Stores

159 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Financial & Professional Services

147 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Automotive & Boat

112 related employer businesses in Jackson.

  • Auto Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

75 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Gas Stations & Convenience

70 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Logistics & Transportation

59 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Entertainment & Recreation

43 related employer businesses in Jackson.

  • Bars & Pubs: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

43 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Beauty & Personal Care

40 related employer businesses in Jackson.

  • Hair Salons: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Home Services

33 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Senior Care & Living

26 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Education & Childcare

25 related employer businesses in Jackson.

  • Daycare Centers: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

24 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Energy & Utilities

20 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Hospitality & Travel

17 related employer businesses in Jackson.

  • Hotels: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 13 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.

Health & Fitness

12 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Jackson.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

290 related employer businesses in Jackson.

  • General Contracting: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

257 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Medical Practices

223 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Manufacturing

164 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Retail Stores

159 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Financial & Professional Services

147 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Automotive & Boat

112 related employer businesses in Jackson.

  • Auto Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

75 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Gas Stations & Convenience

70 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Logistics & Transportation

59 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Entertainment & Recreation

43 related employer businesses in Jackson.

  • Bars & Pubs: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

43 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Beauty & Personal Care

40 related employer businesses in Jackson.

  • Hair Salons: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Home Services

33 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Senior Care & Living

26 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Education & Childcare

25 related employer businesses in Jackson.

  • Daycare Centers: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

24 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Energy & Utilities

20 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Hospitality & Travel

17 related employer businesses in Jackson.

  • Hotels: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 13 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.

Health & Fitness

12 related employer businesses in Jackson.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Jackson.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Jackson

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Jackson ask

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

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 Jackson?

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 Jackson

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