Selling a Business in St. Cloud

Owners in the St. Cloud area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,449 employer businesses, and 83% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

St. Cloud by the numbers

5,449

5,449

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

15,553

15,553

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

101,067

101,067

EMPLOYMENT

$5.8 billion

$5.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,399

2,399

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 St. Cloud compares

  • The St. Cloud area ranks 3rd of 5 Minnesota metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 4% of employer businesses in St. Cloud, compared with 3% in Minnesota.

  • 2,399 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The St. Cloud area ranks 3rd of 5 Minnesota metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 4% of employer businesses in St. Cloud, compared with 3% in Minnesota.

  • 2,399 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 749 employer businesses

  • Construction: 724 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 669 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 596 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 450 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 749 employer businesses

  • Construction: 724 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 669 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 596 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 450 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 St. Cloud

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in St. Cloud. 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

718 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

  • General Contracting: 196 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 106 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

384 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Financial & Professional Services

319 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Retail Stores

272 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Automotive & Boat

254 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

  • Auto Repair: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 9 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: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

244 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Logistics & Transportation

236 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Manufacturing

228 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Gas Stations & Convenience

112 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Wholesale & Distribution

104 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Beauty & Personal Care

98 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

  • Hair Salons: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

97 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

  • Bars & Pubs: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 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.

Home Services

83 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Hospitality & Travel

63 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

  • Hotels: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 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.

Education & Childcare

61 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

  • Daycare Centers: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

58 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Technology & Media

58 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Health & Fitness

51 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

51 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Energy & Utilities

33 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Pet Services

17 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in St. Cloud. 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

718 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

  • General Contracting: 196 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 106 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

384 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Financial & Professional Services

319 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Retail Stores

272 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Automotive & Boat

254 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

  • Auto Repair: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 9 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: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

244 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Logistics & Transportation

236 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Manufacturing

228 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Gas Stations & Convenience

112 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Wholesale & Distribution

104 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Beauty & Personal Care

98 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

  • Hair Salons: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

97 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

  • Bars & Pubs: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 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.

Home Services

83 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Hospitality & Travel

63 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

  • Hotels: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 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.

Education & Childcare

61 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

  • Daycare Centers: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

58 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Technology & Media

58 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Health & Fitness

51 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

51 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Energy & Utilities

33 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

Pet Services

17 related employer businesses in St. Cloud.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in St. Cloud

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in St. Cloud ask

How long does it take to sell a business in St. Cloud?

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 St. Cloud?

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 St. Cloud

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