Selling a Business in Sioux Falls

Owners in the Sioux Falls area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 9,170 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 Falls by the numbers

9,170

9,170

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

26,566

26,566

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

160,101

160,101

EMPLOYMENT

$9.4 billion

$9.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

3,819

3,819

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 Falls compares

  • The number of employer businesses grew 11.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Administrative and support services makes up 5% of employer businesses in Sioux Falls, compared with 5% in South Dakota.

  • 3,819 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 11.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Administrative and support services makes up 5% of employer businesses in Sioux Falls, compared with 5% in South Dakota.

  • 3,819 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 1,254 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,062 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 913 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 881 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 809 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 1,254 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,062 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 913 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 881 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 809 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 Falls

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

1,299 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

  • General Contracting: 382 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 240 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Landscaping: 127 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 99 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 46 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.

Financial & Professional Services

625 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Restaurants & Food

579 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Logistics & Transportation

450 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Retail Stores

422 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Medical Practices

396 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Automotive & Boat

321 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

  • Auto Repair: 124 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 10 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.

Wholesale & Distribution

234 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Manufacturing

225 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Home Services

194 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Entertainment & Recreation

156 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

  • Bars & Pubs: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 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

141 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Beauty & Personal Care

130 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

  • Hair Salons: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

115 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Education & Childcare

105 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

  • Daycare Centers: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

98 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

  • Hotels: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

90 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Health & Fitness

86 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Energy & Utilities

64 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Senior Care & Living

46 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Pet Services

38 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

1,299 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

  • General Contracting: 382 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 240 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Landscaping: 127 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 99 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 46 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.

Financial & Professional Services

625 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Restaurants & Food

579 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Logistics & Transportation

450 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Retail Stores

422 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Medical Practices

396 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Automotive & Boat

321 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

  • Auto Repair: 124 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 10 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.

Wholesale & Distribution

234 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Manufacturing

225 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Home Services

194 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Entertainment & Recreation

156 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

  • Bars & Pubs: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 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

141 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Beauty & Personal Care

130 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

  • Hair Salons: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

115 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Education & Childcare

105 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

  • Daycare Centers: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

98 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

  • Hotels: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

90 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Health & Fitness

86 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Energy & Utilities

64 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Senior Care & Living

46 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

Pet Services

38 related employer businesses in Sioux Falls.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Sioux Falls

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Sioux Falls ask

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

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 Falls?

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 Falls

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