Selling a Business in Peoria

Owners in the Peoria area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 8,084 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

Peoria by the numbers

8,084

8,084

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

21,549

21,549

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

159,361

159,361

EMPLOYMENT

$10.1 billion

$10.1 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

3,584

3,584

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 Peoria compares

  • The Peoria area ranks 2nd of 8 Illinois metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 2.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 14% of employer businesses in Peoria, compared with 11% in Illinois.

  • 3,584 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Peoria area ranks 2nd of 8 Illinois metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 2.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 14% of employer businesses in Peoria, compared with 11% in Illinois.

  • 3,584 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,143 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 964 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 906 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 868 employer businesses

  • Construction: 758 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,143 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 964 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 906 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 868 employer businesses

  • Construction: 758 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 Peoria

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

Every kind of business we sell in Peoria

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

863 related employer businesses in Peoria.

  • General Contracting: 214 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 130 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 130 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

717 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Medical Practices

476 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Financial & Professional Services

474 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Retail Stores

438 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Automotive & Boat

339 related employer businesses in Peoria.

  • Auto Repair: 134 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Collision Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

259 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Manufacturing

248 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Entertainment & Recreation

201 related employer businesses in Peoria.

  • Bars & Pubs: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 9 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.

Gas Stations & Convenience

174 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Wholesale & Distribution

174 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Home Services

133 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Beauty & Personal Care

93 related employer businesses in Peoria.

  • Hair Salons: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

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

Technology & Media

85 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

72 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Hospitality & Travel

71 related employer businesses in Peoria.

  • Hotels: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

59 related employer businesses in Peoria.

  • Daycare Centers: 55 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.

Energy & Utilities

58 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Health & Fitness

57 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Senior Care & Living

56 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Pet Services

31 related employer businesses in Peoria.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

863 related employer businesses in Peoria.

  • General Contracting: 214 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 130 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 130 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

717 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Medical Practices

476 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Financial & Professional Services

474 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Retail Stores

438 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Automotive & Boat

339 related employer businesses in Peoria.

  • Auto Repair: 134 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Collision Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

259 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Manufacturing

248 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Entertainment & Recreation

201 related employer businesses in Peoria.

  • Bars & Pubs: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 9 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.

Gas Stations & Convenience

174 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Wholesale & Distribution

174 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Home Services

133 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Beauty & Personal Care

93 related employer businesses in Peoria.

  • Hair Salons: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

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

Technology & Media

85 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

72 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Hospitality & Travel

71 related employer businesses in Peoria.

  • Hotels: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

59 related employer businesses in Peoria.

  • Daycare Centers: 55 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.

Energy & Utilities

58 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Health & Fitness

57 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Senior Care & Living

56 related employer businesses in Peoria.

Pet Services

31 related employer businesses in Peoria.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Peoria

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Peoria ask

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

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 Peoria?

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 Peoria

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