Selling a Business in Topeka

Owners in the Topeka area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 4,927 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

Topeka by the numbers

4,927

4,927

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

14,110

14,110

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

85,571

85,571

EMPLOYMENT

$4.9 billion

$4.9 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,208

2,208

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 Topeka compares

  • The Topeka area ranks 2nd of 4 Kansas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 2.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Topeka, compared with 11% in Kansas.

  • 2,208 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Topeka area ranks 2nd of 4 Kansas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 2.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Topeka, compared with 11% in Kansas.

  • 2,208 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 706 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 607 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 586 employer businesses

  • Construction: 503 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 459 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 706 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 607 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 586 employer businesses

  • Construction: 503 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 459 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 Topeka

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

523 related employer businesses in Topeka.

  • General Contracting: 110 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

  • Electrical: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 29 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: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

426 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Financial & Professional Services

360 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Medical Practices

268 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Retail Stores

208 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Automotive & Boat

199 related employer businesses in Topeka.

  • Auto Repair: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 17 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: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

137 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Manufacturing

123 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Home Services

96 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Gas Stations & Convenience

92 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Wholesale & Distribution

91 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Senior Care & Living

89 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

61 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Hospitality & Travel

60 related employer businesses in Topeka.

  • Hotels: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

58 related employer businesses in Topeka.

  • Bars & Pubs: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

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

Beauty & Personal Care

57 related employer businesses in Topeka.

  • Hair Salons: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

52 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Education & Childcare

50 related employer businesses in Topeka.

  • Daycare Centers: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

46 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Energy & Utilities

28 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Pet Services

23 related employer businesses in Topeka.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

523 related employer businesses in Topeka.

  • General Contracting: 110 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

  • Electrical: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 29 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: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

426 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Financial & Professional Services

360 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Medical Practices

268 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Retail Stores

208 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Automotive & Boat

199 related employer businesses in Topeka.

  • Auto Repair: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 17 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: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

137 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Manufacturing

123 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Home Services

96 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Gas Stations & Convenience

92 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Wholesale & Distribution

91 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Senior Care & Living

89 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

61 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Hospitality & Travel

60 related employer businesses in Topeka.

  • Hotels: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

58 related employer businesses in Topeka.

  • Bars & Pubs: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

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

Beauty & Personal Care

57 related employer businesses in Topeka.

  • Hair Salons: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

52 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Education & Childcare

50 related employer businesses in Topeka.

  • Daycare Centers: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

46 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Energy & Utilities

28 related employer businesses in Topeka.

Pet Services

23 related employer businesses in Topeka.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Topeka

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Topeka ask

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

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 Topeka?

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 Topeka

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