Sell Your Vet Practice: Corporate vs. Private Buyer (In 2026)

If you have been thinking about selling your veterinary practice you might be wondering whether a corporate group or a private buyer would be the better fit. We understand that it is a big decision and it goes far beyond price. It affects your team, your clients and the future of everything you have built over the years.

We want to help you understand both options and share insights from practice owners who were once in the same situation. You will see what worked for them and how you can use their experiences to make an informed decision that feels right for you.

If you have worked with us before you already know that we act as your extended team. We have helped practice owners across the United States grow, manage and strengthen their clinics so they run smoothly and profitably. Over the past few months, many practice owners have asked during our webinars how to sell, when to sell and who to sell to. While we have done our best to answer every question, we decided to take the next step.

Here at DVMElite, we are not just advisors but partners who understand both you and the market. Every week we speak with practice owners who are thinking about this very decision. Some are preparing for retirement while others simply want to understand the value of their clinic and what steps they should take if they decide to sell in the near future. The goal is always clarity because knowing your options early helps you make smarter choices later.

Corporate vs. Private Buyer: What’s the Real Difference?

A corporate buyer is usually a veterinary group backed by investors or private equity partners. Their main goal is to acquire established profitable practices and scale them efficiently. They already have systems in place for HR, accounting and marketing, so they look for clinics that can fit smoothly into their structure without too many changes. When a corporate group reviews a potential acquisition, they focus heavily on measurable factors like EBITDA, revenue growth and operational consistency. They want to know your systems are stable, your profit margins are healthy and your clinic can perform well even if you are not involved in every detail of the daily management.

A private buyer on the other hand is often another veterinarian or a small partnership who wants to own and manage a clinic directly. They care deeply about the people's side of the business i.e your clients, your staff and the everyday culture that makes a clinic feel personal and connected. For them, ownership is as much about passion and purpose as it is about numbers. They want to carry forward what you have built, not change it entirely. In many cases, a private buyer values long-term relationships, a loyal client base and a positive team environment more than complex financial metrics.

A few weeks ago during our discussion with a practice owner who was from Arizona shared that a corporate group praised her clean books and solid EBITDA, while a private buyer who was a local veterinarian focused instead on her clinic’s client retention rate and long-standing staff relationships. Both saw value, but in very different ways.  The point of sharing this conversation is that you need to understand who is buying and what matters most to them helps you position your practice in the right way. When you know what each type of buyer values, you can highlight the strengths that make your clinic stand out  whether that’s financial performance, community trust or a strong internal culture.

Why Many Veterinarians Choose Corporate Buyers

Now let’s talk about why many practice owners choose to sell to corporate buyers.

As we mentioned earlier, our goal is to share real stories from practice owners so you can make informed decisions based on what has actually worked for others. During the Q&A session in one of our recent webinars, “Practice Profitability in 2025,” a veterinarian from Texas shared her experience. She spoke about a colleague in her area who had built a strong clinic with loyal clients and consistent growth. Over time, though, managing everything on her own had started to feel overwhelming.

When a corporate group approached her, she was surprised by how smooth the process was. They took care of the financial review, handled all the HR paperwork and even helped plan her transition timeline. She said what stood out most was how structured and predictable everything felt. That sense of organization and support made the decision much easier.

That is one of the biggest reasons many owners decide to go with a corporate group. The process is clear, efficient and well-managed from start to finish. You know exactly what to expect, and you rarely have to handle the small details alone. Most corporate deals come with either an all-cash offer or a combination of cash and equity, which can give you both financial security and flexibility if you are planning retirement or simply want to slow down.

Another veterinarian from New York shared a similar experience. After selling to a corporate group, she decided to stay on for eighteen months to ensure her team felt supported. She said it made the transition feel complete because she could leave on her own terms while knowing her clients and staff were still being cared for.

For many practice owners, that peace of mind is just as valuable as the financial return. Selling to a corporate group often means stepping into a system where the heavy lifting is already done, allowing you to focus on a smoother transition and a comfortable next chapter.

The Trade-Offs of Selling to a Corporate Group

While corporate groups can offer higher valuations and smoother transactions there are some trade-offs you should think about carefully.

Once your clinic becomes part of a corporate network you might notice changes in how decisions are made. Pricing schedules, staffing and vendor agreements may be handled by the corporate office. Some owners are fine with this because they want less responsibility but others find it challenging when things start to feel less personal.

During one of our private group discussions a veterinarian from Florida talked about her experience after selling to a national corporate group. She said financially the deal was great and the support was strong but she missed the freedom she used to have when running her own clinic. Her team took time to adjust and some long-time clients noticed the difference too.

That doesn’t mean a corporate sale is a bad idea. It simply means you should be clear about what you are willing to trade for convenience and stability.

Why Some Veterinarians Prefer Private Buyers

Now, let’s discuss why some of  you still prefer selling to  private buyers. We were talking about succession planning and a veterinarian from Oregon shared a story about one of his peers. His friend had recently sold his clinic to another local veterinarian instead of a corporate group because he wanted clarity about how his team would be treated after he left. He said the most important thing for him was knowing that the clinic’s culture and reputation would stay the same.

That is what makes private buyers appealing to many practice owners. When you sell to another veterinarian you know they understand what it takes to care for clients and manage a team. They are emotionally invested in the clinic’s success and they often want to maintain the same community feel that made your practice special.

Another practice owner we spoke with from Colorado sold her clinic to one of her associates. She said it was emotional to step away but also fulfilling because her clients kept seeing familiar faces and her staff stayed happy. She stayed on for a few months to mentor the new owner and said watching the next generation carry forward her values was the best part of the process.

What You Should Consider Before You Decide

Before you make a decision take some time to think about what truly matters to you.

If your goal is a quick transition and financial security a corporate group might be the best fit. They can move quickly and give you a clear exit plan.

If you care more about preserving your clinic’s personality and keeping your staff and clients connected to the same experience, a private buyer could be the better choice.

You should also think about your own comfort with change. Are you ready to step back completely or would you prefer to stay involved for a while? If you still feel emotionally tied to your practice and your people, a private sale usually gives you more flexibility and finally be honest about your long-term goals. Is this about retirement financial independence or simply reducing your workload.  The clearer you are about your why, the easier the choice becomes.

Preparing Your Practice for Either Option

Whether you decide to sell to a corporate group or a private buyer, preparation makes all the difference.

Start by reviewing your finances and making sure everything is organized. Buyers want to see clean, accurate records of revenue expenses and payroll. A well-documented practice always commands a better offer.

Look closely at your team structure too. Are roles clear? Are your employees cross-trained? Do you have strong client retention programs? These things signal stability and make your practice more attractive to any buyer.

Earlier this year one of our clients spent six months optimizing her clinic operations before listing it. She focused on reducing inefficiencies, improving appointment flow and strengthening her online reputation. When she went to market she received three competitive offers and her final valuation was almost twenty percent higher than what she expected at the start. Preparation truly changes the outcome.

Making the Decision That Feels Right for You

At the end of the day there is no perfect answer because this decision is as personal as it is financial.

If you want structure and scale a corporate buyer may be right for you. If you want continuity and connection a private buyer might be the one to trust. What matters most is that you feel confident in how your story continues after you hand over the keys.

This isn’t just a transaction. It’s the next chapter of your professional life and the way your legacy will live on through your clinic, your team and your community.

Final Thoughts

If you are unsure which path to take or simply want to understand what your practice could be worth, start by getting a clear picture. Even if you are not planning to sell yet it’s important to know what drives your value and what small changes could make a big difference in the future.

At DVMElite we work with practice owners across the country to assess value, compare offers and build growth plans that align with their goals. Whether you want to sell in the next year or just create a more profitable independent clinic we can help you plan each step.

If you would like a free valuation or want clarity about your options fill out the short form below. One of our experts will review your details and schedule a call to walk you through your numbers and your next steps.

You have built something special and when the time comes to sell you deserve a process that respects your work, your people and your legacy.