Selling a Business in Niles

Owners in the Niles area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,561 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

Niles by the numbers

3,561

3,561

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

11,015

11,015

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

52,794

52,794

EMPLOYMENT

$2.8 billion

$2.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,602

1,602

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 Niles compares

  • The Niles area ranks 9th of 15 Michigan metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 8% of employer businesses in Niles, compared with 5% in Michigan.

  • 1,602 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Niles area ranks 9th of 15 Michigan metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 8% of employer businesses in Niles, compared with 5% in Michigan.

  • 1,602 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 538 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 407 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 397 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 370 employer businesses

  • Construction: 313 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 538 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 407 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 397 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 370 employer businesses

  • Construction: 313 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 Niles

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

367 related employer businesses in Niles.

  • General Contracting: 115 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

352 related employer businesses in Niles.

Medical Practices

202 related employer businesses in Niles.

Financial & Professional Services

187 related employer businesses in Niles.

Manufacturing

186 related employer businesses in Niles.

Retail Stores

178 related employer businesses in Niles.

Automotive & Boat

150 related employer businesses in Niles.

  • Auto Repair: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Car Washes: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 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.

Gas Stations & Convenience

77 related employer businesses in Niles.

Wholesale & Distribution

69 related employer businesses in Niles.

Logistics & Transportation

65 related employer businesses in Niles.

Hospitality & Travel

64 related employer businesses in Niles.

  • Hotels: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 42 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.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

58 related employer businesses in Niles.

Entertainment & Recreation

57 related employer businesses in Niles.

  • Bars & Pubs: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 23 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: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

39 related employer businesses in Niles.

Senior Care & Living

38 related employer businesses in Niles.

Technology & Media

37 related employer businesses in Niles.

Beauty & Personal Care

33 related employer businesses in Niles.

  • Hair Salons: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

32 related employer businesses in Niles.

  • Daycare Centers: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

23 related employer businesses in Niles.

Pet Services

17 related employer businesses in Niles.

Energy & Utilities

16 related employer businesses in Niles.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

367 related employer businesses in Niles.

  • General Contracting: 115 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

352 related employer businesses in Niles.

Medical Practices

202 related employer businesses in Niles.

Financial & Professional Services

187 related employer businesses in Niles.

Manufacturing

186 related employer businesses in Niles.

Retail Stores

178 related employer businesses in Niles.

Automotive & Boat

150 related employer businesses in Niles.

  • Auto Repair: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Car Washes: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 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.

Gas Stations & Convenience

77 related employer businesses in Niles.

Wholesale & Distribution

69 related employer businesses in Niles.

Logistics & Transportation

65 related employer businesses in Niles.

Hospitality & Travel

64 related employer businesses in Niles.

  • Hotels: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 42 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.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

58 related employer businesses in Niles.

Entertainment & Recreation

57 related employer businesses in Niles.

  • Bars & Pubs: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 23 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: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

39 related employer businesses in Niles.

Senior Care & Living

38 related employer businesses in Niles.

Technology & Media

37 related employer businesses in Niles.

Beauty & Personal Care

33 related employer businesses in Niles.

  • Hair Salons: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

32 related employer businesses in Niles.

  • Daycare Centers: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

23 related employer businesses in Niles.

Pet Services

17 related employer businesses in Niles.

Energy & Utilities

16 related employer businesses in Niles.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Niles

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Niles ask

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

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 Niles?

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 Niles

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