Selling a Business in Racine

Owners in the Racine area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 4,114 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

Racine by the numbers

4,114

4,114

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

11,608

11,608

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

69,594

69,594

EMPLOYMENT

$4.0 billion

$4.0 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,799

1,799

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 Racine compares

  • The Racine area ranks 7th of 13 Wisconsin metro areas for employer businesses.

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

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 16% of employer businesses in Racine, compared with 12% in Wisconsin.

  • 1,799 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Racine area ranks 7th of 13 Wisconsin metro areas for employer businesses.

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

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 16% of employer businesses in Racine, compared with 12% in Wisconsin.

  • 1,799 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 642 employer businesses

  • Retail: 516 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 435 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 425 employer businesses

  • Construction: 411 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 642 employer businesses

  • Retail: 516 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 435 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 425 employer businesses

  • Construction: 411 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 Racine

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

467 related employer businesses in Racine.

  • General Contracting: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • 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.

  • Civil Engineering: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

365 related employer businesses in Racine.

Medical Practices

303 related employer businesses in Racine.

Manufacturing

219 related employer businesses in Racine.

Financial & Professional Services

205 related employer businesses in Racine.

Automotive & Boat

178 related employer businesses in Racine.

  • Auto Repair: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 18 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: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 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.

Logistics & Transportation

176 related employer businesses in Racine.

Retail Stores

167 related employer businesses in Racine.

Senior Care & Living

116 related employer businesses in Racine.

Entertainment & Recreation

90 related employer businesses in Racine.

  • Bars & Pubs: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 10 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.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 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.

Wholesale & Distribution

90 related employer businesses in Racine.

Gas Stations & Convenience

88 related employer businesses in Racine.

Beauty & Personal Care

80 related employer businesses in Racine.

  • Hair Salons: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 14 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.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Home Services

59 related employer businesses in Racine.

Education & Childcare

45 related employer businesses in Racine.

  • Daycare Centers: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

45 related employer businesses in Racine.

Technology & Media

40 related employer businesses in Racine.

Health & Fitness

34 related employer businesses in Racine.

Hospitality & Travel

34 related employer businesses in Racine.

  • Hotels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

23 related employer businesses in Racine.

Pet Services

18 related employer businesses in Racine.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

467 related employer businesses in Racine.

  • General Contracting: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • 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.

  • Civil Engineering: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

365 related employer businesses in Racine.

Medical Practices

303 related employer businesses in Racine.

Manufacturing

219 related employer businesses in Racine.

Financial & Professional Services

205 related employer businesses in Racine.

Automotive & Boat

178 related employer businesses in Racine.

  • Auto Repair: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 18 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: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 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.

Logistics & Transportation

176 related employer businesses in Racine.

Retail Stores

167 related employer businesses in Racine.

Senior Care & Living

116 related employer businesses in Racine.

Entertainment & Recreation

90 related employer businesses in Racine.

  • Bars & Pubs: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 10 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.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 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.

Wholesale & Distribution

90 related employer businesses in Racine.

Gas Stations & Convenience

88 related employer businesses in Racine.

Beauty & Personal Care

80 related employer businesses in Racine.

  • Hair Salons: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 14 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.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Home Services

59 related employer businesses in Racine.

Education & Childcare

45 related employer businesses in Racine.

  • Daycare Centers: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

45 related employer businesses in Racine.

Technology & Media

40 related employer businesses in Racine.

Health & Fitness

34 related employer businesses in Racine.

Hospitality & Travel

34 related employer businesses in Racine.

  • Hotels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

23 related employer businesses in Racine.

Pet Services

18 related employer businesses in Racine.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Racine

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Racine ask

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

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 Racine?

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 Racine

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