Selling a Business in Kalamazoo

Owners in the Kalamazoo area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,704 employer businesses, and 81% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Kalamazoo by the numbers

5,704

5,704

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

81%

81%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

19,019

19,019

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

114,065

114,065

EMPLOYMENT

$6.9 billion

$6.9 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,737

2,737

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 Kalamazoo compares

  • The Kalamazoo area ranks 6th of 15 Michigan metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Finance and insurance makes up 6% of employer businesses in Kalamazoo, compared with 5% in Michigan.

  • 2,737 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Kalamazoo area ranks 6th of 15 Michigan metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Finance and insurance makes up 6% of employer businesses in Kalamazoo, compared with 5% in Michigan.

  • 2,737 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 838 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 759 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 613 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 565 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 539 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 838 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 759 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 613 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 565 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 539 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 Kalamazoo

Retail, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Kalamazoo

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

Restaurants & Food

556 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Construction & Engineering

536 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

  • General Contracting: 150 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 115 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

429 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Retail Stores

344 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Financial & Professional Services

313 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Manufacturing

213 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Automotive & Boat

206 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

  • Auto Repair: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Collision Repair: 23 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.

  • Boat Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

139 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Logistics & Transportation

117 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Home Services

109 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Beauty & Personal Care

88 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

  • Hair Salons: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 25 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.

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

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

81 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Gas Stations & Convenience

75 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Technology & Media

66 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Education & Childcare

63 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

  • Daycare Centers: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

58 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Health & Fitness

57 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Entertainment & Recreation

56 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

  • Bars & Pubs: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x 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.

Hospitality & Travel

47 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

  • Hotels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Pet Services

40 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

Restaurants & Food

556 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Construction & Engineering

536 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

  • General Contracting: 150 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 115 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

429 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Retail Stores

344 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Financial & Professional Services

313 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Manufacturing

213 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Automotive & Boat

206 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

  • Auto Repair: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Collision Repair: 23 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.

  • Boat Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

139 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Logistics & Transportation

117 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Home Services

109 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Beauty & Personal Care

88 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

  • Hair Salons: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 25 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.

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

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

81 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Gas Stations & Convenience

75 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Technology & Media

66 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Education & Childcare

63 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

  • Daycare Centers: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

58 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Health & Fitness

57 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Entertainment & Recreation

56 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

  • Bars & Pubs: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x 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.

Hospitality & Travel

47 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

  • Hotels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Pet Services

40 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Kalamazoo.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Kalamazoo

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Kalamazoo ask

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

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 Kalamazoo?

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 Kalamazoo

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