Selling a Business in Springfield

Owners in the Springfield area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,132 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

Springfield by the numbers

5,132

5,132

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

14,197

14,197

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

81,221

81,221

EMPLOYMENT

$4.4 billion

$4.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,265

2,265

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 Springfield compares

  • The Springfield area ranks 4th of 8 Illinois metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 0.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 13% of employer businesses in Springfield, compared with 10% in Illinois.

  • 2,265 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Springfield area ranks 4th of 8 Illinois metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 0.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 13% of employer businesses in Springfield, compared with 10% in Illinois.

  • 2,265 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 700 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 690 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 591 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 522 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 499 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 700 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 690 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 591 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 522 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 499 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 Springfield

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

Every kind of business we sell in Springfield

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

493 related employer businesses in Springfield.

  • General Contracting: 107 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: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Civil Engineering: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 8 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.

Restaurants & Food

479 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Financial & Professional Services

308 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Medical Practices

291 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Retail Stores

283 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Automotive & Boat

168 related employer businesses in Springfield.

  • Auto Repair: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 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.

Entertainment & Recreation

134 related employer businesses in Springfield.

  • Bars & Pubs: 96 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 96 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 8 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.

Logistics & Transportation

103 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Home Services

101 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Beauty & Personal Care

91 related employer businesses in Springfield.

  • Hair Salons: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

89 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Gas Stations & Convenience

86 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Technology & Media

77 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Manufacturing

76 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

60 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Education & Childcare

50 related employer businesses in Springfield.

  • Daycare Centers: 46 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

46 related employer businesses in Springfield.

  • 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: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

39 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Senior Care & Living

39 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Energy & Utilities

29 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Pet Services

27 related employer businesses in Springfield.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

493 related employer businesses in Springfield.

  • General Contracting: 107 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: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Civil Engineering: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 8 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.

Restaurants & Food

479 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Financial & Professional Services

308 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Medical Practices

291 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Retail Stores

283 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Automotive & Boat

168 related employer businesses in Springfield.

  • Auto Repair: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 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.

Entertainment & Recreation

134 related employer businesses in Springfield.

  • Bars & Pubs: 96 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 96 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 8 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.

Logistics & Transportation

103 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Home Services

101 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Beauty & Personal Care

91 related employer businesses in Springfield.

  • Hair Salons: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

89 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Gas Stations & Convenience

86 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Technology & Media

77 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Manufacturing

76 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

60 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Education & Childcare

50 related employer businesses in Springfield.

  • Daycare Centers: 46 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

46 related employer businesses in Springfield.

  • 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: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

39 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Senior Care & Living

39 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Energy & Utilities

29 related employer businesses in Springfield.

Pet Services

27 related employer businesses in Springfield.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Springfield

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Springfield ask

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

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 Springfield?

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 Springfield

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