Selling a Business in South Bend

Owners in the South Bend area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 6,736 employer businesses, and 82% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

South Bend by the numbers

6,736

6,736

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

82%

82%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

21,371

21,371

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

127,843

127,843

EMPLOYMENT

$6.6 billion

$6.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

3,161

3,161

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 South Bend compares

  • The South Bend area ranks 4th of 12 Indiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 6% of employer businesses in South Bend, compared with 5% in Indiana.

  • 3,161 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The South Bend area ranks 4th of 12 Indiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 6% of employer businesses in South Bend, compared with 5% in Indiana.

  • 3,161 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 988 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 834 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 741 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 695 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 532 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 988 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 834 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 741 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 695 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 532 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 South Bend

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

Every kind of business we sell in South Bend

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in South Bend. 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.

Restaurants & Food

638 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Construction & Engineering

623 related employer businesses in South Bend.

  • General Contracting: 150 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 126 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

434 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Retail Stores

359 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Financial & Professional Services

343 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Automotive & Boat

291 related employer businesses in South Bend.

  • Auto Repair: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

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

Manufacturing

285 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Logistics & Transportation

187 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Wholesale & Distribution

179 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Gas Stations & Convenience

145 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Home Services

135 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Beauty & Personal Care

126 related employer businesses in South Bend.

  • Hair Salons: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

80 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Entertainment & Recreation

76 related employer businesses in South Bend.

  • 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.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 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.

Senior Care & Living

73 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Education & Childcare

72 related employer businesses in South Bend.

  • Daycare Centers: 68 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.

Hospitality & Travel

72 related employer businesses in South Bend.

  • Hotels: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 5 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.

Technology & Media

59 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Energy & Utilities

42 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Health & Fitness

41 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Pet Services

18 related employer businesses in South Bend.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in South Bend. 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.

Restaurants & Food

638 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Construction & Engineering

623 related employer businesses in South Bend.

  • General Contracting: 150 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 126 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

434 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Retail Stores

359 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Financial & Professional Services

343 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Automotive & Boat

291 related employer businesses in South Bend.

  • Auto Repair: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

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

Manufacturing

285 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Logistics & Transportation

187 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Wholesale & Distribution

179 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Gas Stations & Convenience

145 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Home Services

135 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Beauty & Personal Care

126 related employer businesses in South Bend.

  • Hair Salons: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

80 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Entertainment & Recreation

76 related employer businesses in South Bend.

  • 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.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 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.

Senior Care & Living

73 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Education & Childcare

72 related employer businesses in South Bend.

  • Daycare Centers: 68 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.

Hospitality & Travel

72 related employer businesses in South Bend.

  • Hotels: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 5 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.

Technology & Media

59 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Energy & Utilities

42 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Health & Fitness

41 related employer businesses in South Bend.

Pet Services

18 related employer businesses in South Bend.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in South Bend

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in South Bend ask

How long does it take to sell a business in South Bend?

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 South Bend?

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 South Bend

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