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Corpus Christi

Selling a Business in Corpus Christi

Owners in the Corpus Christi area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 9,852 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

Corpus Christi by the numbers

9,852

9,852

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

40,638

40,638

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

156,741

156,741

EMPLOYMENT

$8.5 billion

$8.5 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

4,527

4,527

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 Corpus Christi compares

  • The Corpus Christi area ranks 7th of 26 Texas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.9% between 2018 and 2023.

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

  • 4,527 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Corpus Christi area ranks 7th of 26 Texas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.9% between 2018 and 2023.

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

  • 4,527 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,297 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,296 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,272 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 950 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 874 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,297 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,296 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,272 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 950 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 874 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 Corpus Christi

Retail, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service, professional and technical services

Every kind of business we sell in Corpus Christi

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Corpus Christi. 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

1,001 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Medical Practices

869 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Construction & Engineering

865 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

  • General Contracting: 236 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 166 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 166 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

  • Remediation & Restoration: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 8 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.

Financial & Professional Services

630 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Retail Stores

516 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Automotive & Boat

360 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

  • Auto Repair: 117 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Car Washes: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

257 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Home Services

230 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Gas Stations & Convenience

227 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Logistics & Transportation

206 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Hospitality & Travel

205 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

  • Hotels: 155 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 155 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

187 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Manufacturing

181 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

153 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Entertainment & Recreation

130 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

  • Bars & Pubs: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Arcades & FECs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 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

127 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

  • Hair Salons: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.

Education & Childcare

81 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

  • Daycare Centers: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

67 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Technology & Media

60 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Senior Care & Living

42 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Pet Services

39 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Corpus Christi. 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

1,001 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Medical Practices

869 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Construction & Engineering

865 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

  • General Contracting: 236 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 166 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 166 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 107 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

  • Remediation & Restoration: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 8 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.

Financial & Professional Services

630 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Retail Stores

516 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Automotive & Boat

360 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

  • Auto Repair: 117 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

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

  • Car Washes: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

257 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Home Services

230 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Gas Stations & Convenience

227 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Logistics & Transportation

206 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Hospitality & Travel

205 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

  • Hotels: 155 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 155 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

187 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Manufacturing

181 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

153 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Entertainment & Recreation

130 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

  • Bars & Pubs: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Arcades & FECs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 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

127 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

  • Hair Salons: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.

Education & Childcare

81 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

  • Daycare Centers: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

67 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Technology & Media

60 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Senior Care & Living

42 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

Pet Services

39 related employer businesses in Corpus Christi.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Corpus Christi

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Corpus Christi ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Corpus Christi?

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 Corpus Christi?

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 Corpus Christi

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