Selling a Business in Sioux City

Owners in the Sioux City area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,604 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

Sioux City by the numbers

3,604

3,604

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

9,526

9,526

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

68,688

68,688

EMPLOYMENT

$3.7 billion

$3.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,640

1,640

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 Sioux City compares

  • The Sioux City area ranks 6th of 8 Iowa metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 6% of employer businesses in Sioux City, compared with 6% in Iowa.

  • 1,640 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Sioux City area ranks 6th of 8 Iowa metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 6% of employer businesses in Sioux City, compared with 6% in Iowa.

  • 1,640 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 500 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 439 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 385 employer businesses

  • Construction: 358 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 356 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 500 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 439 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 385 employer businesses

  • Construction: 358 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 356 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 Sioux City

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Sioux City. 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

375 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

  • General Contracting: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 40 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.

  • Civil Engineering: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

284 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Medical Practices

217 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Financial & Professional Services

196 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Automotive & Boat

184 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

  • Auto Repair: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Retail Stores

180 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Logistics & Transportation

159 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Manufacturing

112 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Wholesale & Distribution

108 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Gas Stations & Convenience

71 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Entertainment & Recreation

61 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

  • Bars & Pubs: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x 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.

Home Services

60 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Hospitality & Travel

45 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

  • Hotels: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 36 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

41 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

  • Hair Salons: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

40 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Health & Fitness

33 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Education & Childcare

30 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

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

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

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Technology & Media

27 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Energy & Utilities

15 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Pet Services

14 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Sioux City. 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

375 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

  • General Contracting: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 40 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.

  • Civil Engineering: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

284 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Medical Practices

217 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Financial & Professional Services

196 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Automotive & Boat

184 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

  • Auto Repair: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Retail Stores

180 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Logistics & Transportation

159 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Manufacturing

112 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Wholesale & Distribution

108 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Gas Stations & Convenience

71 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Entertainment & Recreation

61 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

  • Bars & Pubs: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x 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.

Home Services

60 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Hospitality & Travel

45 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

  • Hotels: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 36 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

41 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

  • Hair Salons: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

40 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Health & Fitness

33 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Education & Childcare

30 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

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

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

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Technology & Media

27 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Energy & Utilities

15 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

Pet Services

14 related employer businesses in Sioux City.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Sioux City

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Sioux City ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Sioux City?

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 Sioux City?

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 Sioux City

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