Selling a Business in Waco

Owners in the Waco area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 6,481 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

Waco by the numbers

6,481

6,481

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

24,286

24,286

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

115,925

115,925

EMPLOYMENT

$5.9 billion

$5.9 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,904

2,904

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 Waco compares

  • The Waco area ranks 14th of 26 Texas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 11.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Waco, compared with 3% in Texas.

  • 2,904 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Waco area ranks 14th of 26 Texas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 11.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Waco, compared with 3% in Texas.

  • 2,904 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 995 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 742 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 727 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 681 employer businesses

  • Construction: 652 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 995 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 742 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 727 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 681 employer businesses

  • Construction: 652 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 Waco

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

653 related employer businesses in Waco.

  • General Contracting: 188 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 116 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 116 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

Restaurants & Food

600 related employer businesses in Waco.

Financial & Professional Services

409 related employer businesses in Waco.

Medical Practices

404 related employer businesses in Waco.

Retail Stores

369 related employer businesses in Waco.

Automotive & Boat

257 related employer businesses in Waco.

  • Auto Repair: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

221 related employer businesses in Waco.

Logistics & Transportation

164 related employer businesses in Waco.

Gas Stations & Convenience

163 related employer businesses in Waco.

Wholesale & Distribution

143 related employer businesses in Waco.

Home Services

135 related employer businesses in Waco.

Hospitality & Travel

90 related employer businesses in Waco.

  • Hotels: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

89 related employer businesses in Waco.

  • Hair Salons: 48 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: 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: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

84 related employer businesses in Waco.

Education & Childcare

65 related employer businesses in Waco.

  • Daycare Centers: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

65 related employer businesses in Waco.

  • Bars & Pubs: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x 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.

Energy & Utilities

61 related employer businesses in Waco.

Senior Care & Living

52 related employer businesses in Waco.

Technology & Media

51 related employer businesses in Waco.

Health & Fitness

45 related employer businesses in Waco.

Pet Services

23 related employer businesses in Waco.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

653 related employer businesses in Waco.

  • General Contracting: 188 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 116 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 116 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

Restaurants & Food

600 related employer businesses in Waco.

Financial & Professional Services

409 related employer businesses in Waco.

Medical Practices

404 related employer businesses in Waco.

Retail Stores

369 related employer businesses in Waco.

Automotive & Boat

257 related employer businesses in Waco.

  • Auto Repair: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

221 related employer businesses in Waco.

Logistics & Transportation

164 related employer businesses in Waco.

Gas Stations & Convenience

163 related employer businesses in Waco.

Wholesale & Distribution

143 related employer businesses in Waco.

Home Services

135 related employer businesses in Waco.

Hospitality & Travel

90 related employer businesses in Waco.

  • Hotels: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

89 related employer businesses in Waco.

  • Hair Salons: 48 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: 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: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

84 related employer businesses in Waco.

Education & Childcare

65 related employer businesses in Waco.

  • Daycare Centers: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

65 related employer businesses in Waco.

  • Bars & Pubs: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x 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.

Energy & Utilities

61 related employer businesses in Waco.

Senior Care & Living

52 related employer businesses in Waco.

Technology & Media

51 related employer businesses in Waco.

Health & Fitness

45 related employer businesses in Waco.

Pet Services

23 related employer businesses in Waco.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Waco

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Waco ask

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

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 Waco?

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 Waco

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