Selling a Business in Kenosha

Owners in the Kenosha area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,403 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

Kenosha by the numbers

3,403

3,403

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

82%

82%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

10,480

10,480

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

67,834

67,834

EMPLOYMENT

$3.5 billion

$3.5 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,461

1,461

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 Kenosha compares

  • The Kenosha area ranks 10th of 13 Wisconsin metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Kenosha, compared with 4% in Wisconsin.

  • 1,461 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Kenosha area ranks 10th of 13 Wisconsin metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Kenosha, compared with 4% in Wisconsin.

  • 1,461 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 496 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 441 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 402 employer businesses

  • Construction: 330 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 325 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 496 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 441 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 402 employer businesses

  • Construction: 330 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 325 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 Kenosha

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

361 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

  • General Contracting: 99 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

315 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Medical Practices

249 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Retail Stores

203 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Logistics & Transportation

191 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Financial & Professional Services

157 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Manufacturing

154 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Automotive & Boat

130 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

  • Auto Repair: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

99 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

  • Bars & Pubs: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 15 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.

  • 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

91 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

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

  • Day Spas: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Gas Stations & Convenience

74 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Wholesale & Distribution

69 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Home Services

56 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Education & Childcare

49 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

  • Daycare Centers: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

38 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Hospitality & Travel

35 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

  • Hotels: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

30 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Technology & Media

30 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Pet Services

28 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Health & Fitness

24 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Energy & Utilities

14 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

361 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

  • General Contracting: 99 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

315 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Medical Practices

249 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Retail Stores

203 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Logistics & Transportation

191 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Financial & Professional Services

157 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Manufacturing

154 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Automotive & Boat

130 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

  • Auto Repair: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

99 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

  • Bars & Pubs: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 15 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.

  • 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

91 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

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

  • Day Spas: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Gas Stations & Convenience

74 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Wholesale & Distribution

69 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Home Services

56 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Education & Childcare

49 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

  • Daycare Centers: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

38 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Hospitality & Travel

35 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

  • Hotels: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

30 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Technology & Media

30 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Pet Services

28 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Health & Fitness

24 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

Energy & Utilities

14 related employer businesses in Kenosha.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Kenosha

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Kenosha ask

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

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 Kenosha?

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 Kenosha

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