Selling a Business in Rochester

Owners in the Rochester area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,314 employer businesses, and 85% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Rochester by the numbers

5,314

5,314

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

16,604

16,604

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

121,840

121,840

EMPLOYMENT

$8.9 billion

$8.9 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,379

2,379

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 Rochester compares

  • The Rochester area ranks 4th of 5 Minnesota metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 10% of employer businesses in Rochester, compared with 8% in Minnesota.

  • 2,379 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Rochester area ranks 4th of 5 Minnesota metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 10% of employer businesses in Rochester, compared with 8% in Minnesota.

  • 2,379 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 727 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 685 employer businesses

  • Construction: 657 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 624 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 550 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 727 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 685 employer businesses

  • Construction: 657 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 624 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 550 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 Rochester

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

670 related employer businesses in Rochester.

  • General Contracting: 195 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

454 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Financial & Professional Services

319 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Retail Stores

307 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Medical Practices

244 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Automotive & Boat

201 related employer businesses in Rochester.

  • Auto Repair: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Collision Repair: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

158 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Manufacturing

154 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Hospitality & Travel

102 related employer businesses in Rochester.

  • Hotels: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

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

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

Beauty & Personal Care

93 related employer businesses in Rochester.

  • Hair Salons: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Home Services

84 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Entertainment & Recreation

83 related employer businesses in Rochester.

  • Bars & Pubs: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Outdoor Recreation: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 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.

Wholesale & Distribution

81 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Gas Stations & Convenience

77 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Education & Childcare

73 related employer businesses in Rochester.

  • Daycare Centers: 65 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

61 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Technology & Media

57 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Senior Care & Living

52 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Health & Fitness

46 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Pet Services

35 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Energy & Utilities

30 related employer businesses in Rochester.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

670 related employer businesses in Rochester.

  • General Contracting: 195 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

454 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Financial & Professional Services

319 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Retail Stores

307 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Medical Practices

244 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Automotive & Boat

201 related employer businesses in Rochester.

  • Auto Repair: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Collision Repair: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

158 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Manufacturing

154 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Hospitality & Travel

102 related employer businesses in Rochester.

  • Hotels: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

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

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

Beauty & Personal Care

93 related employer businesses in Rochester.

  • Hair Salons: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Home Services

84 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Entertainment & Recreation

83 related employer businesses in Rochester.

  • Bars & Pubs: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Outdoor Recreation: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 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.

Wholesale & Distribution

81 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Gas Stations & Convenience

77 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Education & Childcare

73 related employer businesses in Rochester.

  • Daycare Centers: 65 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

61 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Technology & Media

57 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Senior Care & Living

52 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Health & Fitness

46 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Pet Services

35 related employer businesses in Rochester.

Energy & Utilities

30 related employer businesses in Rochester.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Rochester

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Rochester ask

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

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 Rochester?

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 Rochester

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