Selling a Business in Lafayette

Owners in the Lafayette area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 4,577 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

Lafayette by the numbers

4,577

4,577

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

13,893

13,893

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

83,916

83,916

EMPLOYMENT

$4.3 billion

$4.3 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,066

2,066

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 Lafayette compares

  • The Lafayette area ranks 6th of 12 Indiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Real estate and rental makes up 6% of employer businesses in Lafayette, compared with 5% in Indiana.

  • 2,066 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Lafayette area ranks 6th of 12 Indiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Real estate and rental makes up 6% of employer businesses in Lafayette, compared with 5% in Indiana.

  • 2,066 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 613 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 574 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 534 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 508 employer businesses

  • Construction: 431 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 613 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 574 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 534 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 508 employer businesses

  • Construction: 431 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 Lafayette

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

Every kind of business we sell in Lafayette

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

486 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • General Contracting: 134 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

Restaurants & Food

456 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Medical Practices

348 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Financial & Professional Services

299 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Retail Stores

219 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Logistics & Transportation

191 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Automotive & Boat

165 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Auto Repair: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 42 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.

  • Collision Repair: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

138 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Gas Stations & Convenience

101 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Beauty & Personal Care

90 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Hair Salons: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Home Services

83 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Wholesale & Distribution

78 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Entertainment & Recreation

60 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Bars & Pubs: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 7 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.

Technology & Media

48 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Hospitality & Travel

47 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Hotels: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

46 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Education & Childcare

45 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Daycare Centers: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

35 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Senior Care & Living

35 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Pet Services

24 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Energy & Utilities

20 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

486 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • General Contracting: 134 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

Restaurants & Food

456 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Medical Practices

348 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Financial & Professional Services

299 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Retail Stores

219 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Logistics & Transportation

191 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Automotive & Boat

165 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Auto Repair: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 42 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.

  • Collision Repair: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

138 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Gas Stations & Convenience

101 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Beauty & Personal Care

90 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Hair Salons: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Home Services

83 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Wholesale & Distribution

78 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Entertainment & Recreation

60 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Bars & Pubs: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 7 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.

Technology & Media

48 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Hospitality & Travel

47 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Hotels: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

46 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Education & Childcare

45 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

  • Daycare Centers: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

35 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Senior Care & Living

35 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Pet Services

24 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

Energy & Utilities

20 related employer businesses in Lafayette.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Lafayette

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Lafayette ask

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

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 Lafayette?

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 Lafayette

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