Selling a Business in Mankato

Owners in the Mankato area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,677 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

Mankato by the numbers

2,677

2,677

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

81%

81%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

6,973

6,973

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

49,423

49,423

EMPLOYMENT

$2.5 billion

$2.5 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,252

1,252

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 Mankato compares

  • The Mankato area ranks 5th of 5 Minnesota metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Mankato, compared with 3% in Minnesota.

  • 1,252 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Mankato area ranks 5th of 5 Minnesota metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Mankato, compared with 3% in Minnesota.

  • 1,252 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 426 employer businesses

  • Retail: 361 employer businesses

  • Construction: 308 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 266 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 234 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 426 employer businesses

  • Retail: 361 employer businesses

  • Construction: 308 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 266 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 234 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 Mankato

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

321 related employer businesses in Mankato.

  • General Contracting: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

201 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Financial & Professional Services

161 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Retail Stores

152 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Medical Practices

112 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Automotive & Boat

102 related employer businesses in Mankato.

  • Auto Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

98 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Logistics & Transportation

92 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Wholesale & Distribution

54 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Hospitality & Travel

48 related employer businesses in Mankato.

  • Transportation Services: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Hotels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

42 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Gas Stations & Convenience

41 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Health & Fitness

40 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Beauty & Personal Care

36 related employer businesses in Mankato.

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

  • Nail Salons: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.

Home Services

34 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Education & Childcare

30 related employer businesses in Mankato.

  • Daycare Centers: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

27 related employer businesses in Mankato.

  • Bars & Pubs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 11 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

22 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Technology & Media

17 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Pet Services

7 related employer businesses in Mankato.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

321 related employer businesses in Mankato.

  • General Contracting: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

201 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Financial & Professional Services

161 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Retail Stores

152 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Medical Practices

112 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Automotive & Boat

102 related employer businesses in Mankato.

  • Auto Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

98 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Logistics & Transportation

92 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Wholesale & Distribution

54 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Hospitality & Travel

48 related employer businesses in Mankato.

  • Transportation Services: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Hotels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

42 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Gas Stations & Convenience

41 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Health & Fitness

40 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Beauty & Personal Care

36 related employer businesses in Mankato.

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

  • Nail Salons: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.

Home Services

34 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Education & Childcare

30 related employer businesses in Mankato.

  • Daycare Centers: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

27 related employer businesses in Mankato.

  • Bars & Pubs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 11 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

22 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Technology & Media

17 related employer businesses in Mankato.

Pet Services

7 related employer businesses in Mankato.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Mankato

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Mankato ask

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

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 Mankato?

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 Mankato

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