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College Station

Selling a Business in College Station

Owners in the College Station area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,631 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

College Station by the numbers

5,631

5,631

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

82%

82%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

22,574

22,574

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

86,839

86,839

EMPLOYMENT

$4.2 billion

$4.2 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,616

2,616

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 College Station compares

  • The College Station area ranks 18th of 26 Texas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 11.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 13% of employer businesses in College Station, compared with 10% in Texas.

  • 2,616 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The College Station area ranks 18th of 26 Texas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 11.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 13% of employer businesses in College Station, compared with 10% in Texas.

  • 2,616 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 786 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 712 employer businesses

  • Construction: 579 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 558 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 556 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 786 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 712 employer businesses

  • Construction: 579 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 558 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 556 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 College Station

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in College Station. 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

638 related employer businesses in College Station.

  • General Contracting: 200 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

550 related employer businesses in College Station.

Medical Practices

378 related employer businesses in College Station.

Financial & Professional Services

319 related employer businesses in College Station.

Retail Stores

301 related employer businesses in College Station.

Automotive & Boat

177 related employer businesses in College Station.

  • Auto Repair: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • 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.

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

Home Services

151 related employer businesses in College Station.

Gas Stations & Convenience

150 related employer businesses in College Station.

Logistics & Transportation

132 related employer businesses in College Station.

Manufacturing

118 related employer businesses in College Station.

Wholesale & Distribution

90 related employer businesses in College Station.

Energy & Utilities

88 related employer businesses in College Station.

Beauty & Personal Care

84 related employer businesses in College Station.

  • Hair Salons: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

78 related employer businesses in College Station.

  • Hotels: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 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.

Entertainment & Recreation

73 related employer businesses in College Station.

  • Bars & Pubs: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 16 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.

  • 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

63 related employer businesses in College Station.

Education & Childcare

59 related employer businesses in College Station.

  • Daycare Centers: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

49 related employer businesses in College Station.

Health & Fitness

45 related employer businesses in College Station.

Senior Care & Living

29 related employer businesses in College Station.

Pet Services

22 related employer businesses in College Station.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in College Station. 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

638 related employer businesses in College Station.

  • General Contracting: 200 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

550 related employer businesses in College Station.

Medical Practices

378 related employer businesses in College Station.

Financial & Professional Services

319 related employer businesses in College Station.

Retail Stores

301 related employer businesses in College Station.

Automotive & Boat

177 related employer businesses in College Station.

  • Auto Repair: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • 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.

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

Home Services

151 related employer businesses in College Station.

Gas Stations & Convenience

150 related employer businesses in College Station.

Logistics & Transportation

132 related employer businesses in College Station.

Manufacturing

118 related employer businesses in College Station.

Wholesale & Distribution

90 related employer businesses in College Station.

Energy & Utilities

88 related employer businesses in College Station.

Beauty & Personal Care

84 related employer businesses in College Station.

  • Hair Salons: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

78 related employer businesses in College Station.

  • Hotels: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 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.

Entertainment & Recreation

73 related employer businesses in College Station.

  • Bars & Pubs: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 16 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.

  • 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

63 related employer businesses in College Station.

Education & Childcare

59 related employer businesses in College Station.

  • Daycare Centers: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

49 related employer businesses in College Station.

Health & Fitness

45 related employer businesses in College Station.

Senior Care & Living

29 related employer businesses in College Station.

Pet Services

22 related employer businesses in College Station.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in College Station

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in College Station ask

How long does it take to sell a business in College Station?

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 College Station?

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 College Station

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