Selling a Business in Laredo

Owners in the Laredo area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,840 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

Laredo by the numbers

5,840

5,840

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

34,347

34,347

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

83,434

83,434

EMPLOYMENT

$3.2 billion

$3.2 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,546

2,546

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 Laredo compares

  • The Laredo area ranks 17th of 26 Texas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 27% of employer businesses in Laredo, compared with 4% in Texas.

  • 2,546 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Laredo area ranks 17th of 26 Texas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 27% of employer businesses in Laredo, compared with 4% in Texas.

  • 2,546 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Transportation and warehousing: 1,579 employer businesses

  • Retail: 761 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 557 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 475 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 422 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Transportation and warehousing: 1,579 employer businesses

  • Retail: 761 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 557 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 475 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 422 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 Laredo

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

Logistics & Transportation

1,533 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Restaurants & Food

454 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Retail Stores

362 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Medical Practices

325 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Financial & Professional Services

318 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Construction & Engineering

258 related employer businesses in Laredo.

  • General Contracting: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Automotive & Boat

222 related employer businesses in Laredo.

  • Auto Repair: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Wholesale & Distribution

167 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

95 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Gas Stations & Convenience

90 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Home Services

78 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Education & Childcare

74 related employer businesses in Laredo.

  • Daycare Centers: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

57 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Manufacturing

54 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Hospitality & Travel

50 related employer businesses in Laredo.

  • Hotels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

49 related employer businesses in Laredo.

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

  • Day Spas: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

43 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Health & Fitness

32 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Entertainment & Recreation

30 related employer businesses in Laredo.

  • Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x 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.

Technology & Media

24 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Laredo.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

Logistics & Transportation

1,533 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Restaurants & Food

454 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Retail Stores

362 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Medical Practices

325 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Financial & Professional Services

318 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Construction & Engineering

258 related employer businesses in Laredo.

  • General Contracting: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Automotive & Boat

222 related employer businesses in Laredo.

  • Auto Repair: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Wholesale & Distribution

167 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

95 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Gas Stations & Convenience

90 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Home Services

78 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Education & Childcare

74 related employer businesses in Laredo.

  • Daycare Centers: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

57 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Manufacturing

54 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Hospitality & Travel

50 related employer businesses in Laredo.

  • Hotels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

49 related employer businesses in Laredo.

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

  • Day Spas: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

43 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Health & Fitness

32 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Entertainment & Recreation

30 related employer businesses in Laredo.

  • Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x 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.

Technology & Media

24 related employer businesses in Laredo.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Laredo.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Laredo

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Laredo ask

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

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 Laredo?

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 Laredo

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