NAICS 311830 Quarterly Industry Report
Tortilla Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 311830Sector: 31Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 311830 provides valuation-focused intelligence for professionals assessing tortilla manufacturing businesses. Data is sourced from FDA[6] food safety regulations, U.S. Additional data is drawn from [Bureau of Labor Statistics[7].. Census Bureau](https://www.census.gov/) manufacturing statistics, and SBA size standards[8] to support business appraisals, acquisition due diligence, lending decisions, and investment analysis for tortilla manufacturing enterprises.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the tortilla manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Tortilla Manufacturing (NAICS 311830) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing corn tortillas, flour tortillas, tortilla chips, taco shells, tostadas, and related flatbread products for retail grocery, foodservice, and institutional distribution. These manufacturers process corn masa or wheat flour dough through pressing, sheeting, and baking equipment to produce fresh, shelf-stable, and frozen tortilla products in various sizes and formats. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies tortilla manufacturing separately from commercial bakeries (NAICS 311812) and snack food manufacturing (NAICS 311919), recognizing the distinct product category and production process.
Tortilla consumption has grown steadily in the United States, with tortillas and wraps generating billions in annual sales as they compete with and increasingly substitute for traditional bread in sandwiches, wraps, and meal applications. The FDA[6] regulates tortilla labeling, ingredient standards, and food safety requirements, while growing Hispanic population demographics and mainstream adoption of Mexican cuisine continue driving category expansion. Product innovation includes whole wheat, low-carb, gluten-free, organic, and flavored tortilla varieties appealing to health-conscious consumers.
Business valuations for tortilla manufacturers focus on production line capacity and equipment automation, brand recognition within regional and national markets, retail distribution coverage, foodservice account portfolios, and the balance between branded and private-label manufacturing revenue. Appraisers evaluate production throughput, masa and flour procurement costs, shelf life management (fresh versus shelf-stable packaging), distribution logistics for perishable products, and the competitive dynamics between national brands, regional tortillerias, and private-label producers.
What's Included in This Industry
- Sector-specific valuation multiples and financial benchmarks for tortilla manufacturing operations
- Revenue and profitability analysis across corn tortillas, flour tortillas, tortilla chips, taco shells, wraps, and specialty product segments
- SBA size standard classification and lending threshold data for NAICS 311830
- Comparable transaction data from recent tortilla company acquisitions, brand portfolio sales, and manufacturing facility transactions
- Market analysis covering tortilla consumption growth, wrap category expansion, Hispanic demographic drivers, and health-conscious product innovation
- Workforce and labor cost benchmarking for production line operators, masa preparation workers, packaging staff, and delivery route drivers
- Industry risk assessment including corn and flour commodity cost volatility, distribution logistics for perishable products, and competitive pricing pressure
- Regulatory compliance overview covering FDA labeling requirements, ingredient standards, FSMA preventive controls, and shelf life management regulations
- Capital expenditure profiles for masa preparation equipment, tortilla presses, ovens, cooling conveyors, packaging lines, and delivery vehicles
- Production metrics including tortillas per minute line speed, yield per batch, packaging throughput, freshness dating compliance, and cost per unit benchmarks
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Food Manufacturing | 311 |
| Industry Group | Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | 3118 |
| NAICS Industry | Tortilla Manufacturing | 31183 |
| National Industry | Tortilla Manufacturing | 311830 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 311919 | Other Snack Food Manufacturing | Other snack food manufacturing operations producing tortilla chips and corn-based snacks that share raw material sourcing and retail snack distribution channels |
| 311812 | Commercial Bakeries | Commercial bakeries producing bread and rolls that compete with tortillas and wraps for consumer bread-alternative and sandwich wrap spending |
| 311824 | Dry Pasta, Dough, and Flour Mixes Manufacturing from Purchased Flour | Dry pasta and flour mix manufacturers sharing wheat flour procurement supply chains and grocery center store distribution with tortilla producers |
| 311422 | Specialty Canning | Specialty canning operations manufacturing canned Mexican food products that use tortillas as key ingredients in prepared canned meal formulations |
| 424410 | General Line Grocery Merchant Wholesalers | General line grocery merchant wholesalers distributing tortilla products from manufacturers to retail grocery stores and foodservice distribution accounts |
| 722511 | Full-Service Restaurants | Full-service restaurants and Mexican cuisine establishments purchasing tortillas in volume for menu preparation including tacos, burritos, and enchiladas |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 35.1% | 144 |
| 2 | California | 21.2% | 87 |
| 3 | Arizona | 6.1% | 25 |
| 4 | Colorado | 4.9% | 20 |
| 5 | Illinois | 3.9% | 16 |
| 6 | New Mexico | 2.7% | 11 |
| 7 | Florida | 2.4% | 10 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 2.2% | 9 |
| 9 | New York | 2.2% | 9 |
| 10 | Washington | 1.9% | 8 |
% Of Establishments
0%
35%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
96
Total SBA Loans
$79.9M
Total Loan Volume
$832K
Average Loan Size
13 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.54%
Average Interest Rate
1,120
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA[9] classifies Tortilla Manufacturing (NAICS 311830) with a size standard of 1,250 employees. Tortilla producers within this threshold qualify for SBA-backed lending[10] and government contracting preferences, with regional tortillerias and specialty manufacturers accessing capital for production line expansion and distribution growth. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[11] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[12] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 8 | $40.0M | $5.0M |
| 2 | Banc of California | 8 | $9.0M | $1.1M |
| 3 | Port 51 Lending LLC | 8 | $8.0M | $1.0M |
| 4 | Chelsea State Bank | 8 | $6.3M | $790K |
| 5 | Celtic Bank Corporation | 16 | $5.2M | $324K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for tortilla manufacturing?
Tortilla Manufacturing is classified under NAICS code 311830, covering corn tortillas, flour tortillas, chips, and related products per the U.S. Census Bureau[5] classification system.
What is the SBA size standard for tortilla manufacturing?
The SBA[9] sets the size standard for NAICS 311830 at 1,250 employees, qualifying eligible tortilla manufacturers for small business lending programs and government contracting preferences.
How are tortilla manufacturing businesses valued?
Valuations focus on production capacity, brand recognition, distribution coverage, foodservice accounts, and branded versus private-label revenue mix per U.S. Census Bureau[13] data.
What products does NAICS 311830 cover?
Products include corn tortillas, flour tortillas, tortilla chips, taco shells, tostadas, and wraps in fresh, shelf-stable, and frozen formats per U.S. Census Bureau[5] definitions.
Why has tortilla consumption been growing?
Growth drivers include mainstream adoption of Mexican cuisine, tortillas substituting for bread in wrap and sandwich applications, Hispanic population growth, and expanding variety in health-conscious formulations.
What risks affect tortilla manufacturers?
Major risks include corn and wheat flour commodity cost fluctuations, fresh product shelf life management, distribution logistics costs, competitive pricing pressure, and consumer dietary trend shifts.
What regulations apply to tortilla manufacturing?
The FDA[6] regulates tortilla labeling, ingredient standards, nutritional information, and FSMA preventive controls for manufacturing facilities and packaging operations.
How is the tortilla market structured?
The market includes national branded producers, regional tortillerias serving local markets, private-label contract manufacturers, and artisan producers offering specialty and premium tortilla varieties.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]FDA fda.gov
- [7]U.S. Additional data is drawn from [Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [8]SBA size standards sba.gov
- [9]SBA sba.gov
- [10]SBA-backed lending sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]504 loans sba.gov
- [13]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
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