Selling a Business in Kokomo

Owners in the Kokomo area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 1,813 employer businesses, and 84% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Kokomo by the numbers

1,813

1,813

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

4,700

4,700

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

31,554

31,554

EMPLOYMENT

$1.7 billion

$1.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

886

886

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 Kokomo compares

  • The Kokomo area ranks 12th of 12 Indiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 18% of employer businesses in Kokomo, compared with 13% in Indiana.

  • 886 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Kokomo area ranks 12th of 12 Indiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 18% of employer businesses in Kokomo, compared with 13% in Indiana.

  • 886 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 330 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 288 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 236 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 212 employer businesses

  • Construction: 131 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 330 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 288 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 236 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 212 employer businesses

  • Construction: 131 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 Kokomo

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

197 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Medical Practices

178 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Construction & Engineering

136 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

  • General Contracting: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

117 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Financial & Professional Services

101 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Automotive & Boat

87 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

  • Auto Repair: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

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

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

Gas Stations & Convenience

61 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Manufacturing

48 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

34 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Entertainment & Recreation

26 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

  • Bars & Pubs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

Logistics & Transportation

26 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Home Services

24 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Beauty & Personal Care

23 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

  • Hair Salons: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

21 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Education & Childcare

20 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

  • Daycare Centers: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

15 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Pet Services

12 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

  • Hotels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

9 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Energy & Utilities

5 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Technology & Media

3 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

197 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Medical Practices

178 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Construction & Engineering

136 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

  • General Contracting: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

117 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Financial & Professional Services

101 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Automotive & Boat

87 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

  • Auto Repair: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

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

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

Gas Stations & Convenience

61 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Manufacturing

48 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

34 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Entertainment & Recreation

26 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

  • Bars & Pubs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

Logistics & Transportation

26 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Home Services

24 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Beauty & Personal Care

23 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

  • Hair Salons: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

21 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Education & Childcare

20 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

  • Daycare Centers: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

15 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Pet Services

12 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

  • Hotels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

9 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Energy & Utilities

5 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

Technology & Media

3 related employer businesses in Kokomo.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Kokomo

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Kokomo ask

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

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 Kokomo?

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 Kokomo

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