Selling a Business in Lansing

Owners in the Lansing area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 9,748 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

Lansing by the numbers

9,748

9,748

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

35,539

35,539

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

172,407

172,407

EMPLOYMENT

$9.8 billion

$9.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

4,441

4,441

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 Lansing compares

  • The Lansing area ranks 3rd of 15 Michigan metro areas for employer businesses.

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

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Lansing, compared with 10% in Michigan.

  • 4,441 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Lansing area ranks 3rd of 15 Michigan metro areas for employer businesses.

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

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Lansing, compared with 10% in Michigan.

  • 4,441 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,360 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,207 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,202 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,054 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 955 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,360 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,207 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,202 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,054 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 955 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 Lansing

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, professional and technical services

Every kind of business we sell in Lansing

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

921 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Construction & Engineering

886 related employer businesses in Lansing.

  • General Contracting: 257 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 116 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 116 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Remediation & Restoration: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

722 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Financial & Professional Services

610 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Retail Stores

501 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Automotive & Boat

361 related employer businesses in Lansing.

  • Auto Repair: 140 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 78 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

244 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Logistics & Transportation

227 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Gas Stations & Convenience

182 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Home Services

167 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Wholesale & Distribution

156 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

153 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Technology & Media

153 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Beauty & Personal Care

151 related employer businesses in Lansing.

  • Hair Salons: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

103 related employer businesses in Lansing.

  • Daycare Centers: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

100 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Entertainment & Recreation

96 related employer businesses in Lansing.

  • Bars & Pubs: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • 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

67 related employer businesses in Lansing.

  • Hotels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

56 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Health & Fitness

55 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Pet Services

48 related employer businesses in Lansing.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

921 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Construction & Engineering

886 related employer businesses in Lansing.

  • General Contracting: 257 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 116 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 116 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Remediation & Restoration: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

722 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Financial & Professional Services

610 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Retail Stores

501 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Automotive & Boat

361 related employer businesses in Lansing.

  • Auto Repair: 140 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 78 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

244 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Logistics & Transportation

227 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Gas Stations & Convenience

182 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Home Services

167 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Wholesale & Distribution

156 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

153 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Technology & Media

153 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Beauty & Personal Care

151 related employer businesses in Lansing.

  • Hair Salons: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

103 related employer businesses in Lansing.

  • Daycare Centers: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

100 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Entertainment & Recreation

96 related employer businesses in Lansing.

  • Bars & Pubs: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • 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

67 related employer businesses in Lansing.

  • Hotels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

56 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Health & Fitness

55 related employer businesses in Lansing.

Pet Services

48 related employer businesses in Lansing.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Lansing

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Lansing ask

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

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 Lansing?

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 Lansing

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