The freight brokerage and logistics industry serves as the connective tissue of the US supply chain, matching shippers with carriers across truckload, LTL, and intermodal modes. The sector is highly fragmented with tens of thousands of licensed brokers, the vast majority being small independents generating under $10M in gross revenue, making it an active target for consolidation and roll-up strategies. Despite cyclical freight market volatility, demand for third-party logistics intermediaries remains structurally supported by shipper outsourcing trends and increasing supply chain complexity.
Who buys these: Private equity-backed logistics roll-up platforms, strategic acquirers such as regional 3PLs and national freight brokers, independent owner-operators with industry experience, and entrepreneurial buyers seeking asset-light service businesses with recurring revenue
3.5–6×
Typical EBITDA multiple
$1M–$5M net revenue
Revenue range
Growing
Market trend
SBA Eligible
7(a) financing available
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Minimum $500K EBITDA, net revenue (gross margin) of $1M–$4M, diversified shipper base with no single customer exceeding 20–25% of revenue, established carrier network, at least 3 years of operating history, and a management team willing to stay through transition
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Key items to investigate when evaluating a Logistics & Freight Brokerage acquisition
What buyers typically pay for Logistics & Freight Brokerage businesses
3.5×
Low Multiple
4.8×
Mid Multiple
6×
High Multiple
Logistics & Freight Brokerage businesses in the $1M–$5M net revenue revenue range trade at 3.5–6× EBITDA in the lower middle market. Multiple variance is driven by recurring revenue percentage, owner dependency, client concentration, and growth trajectory. Growing market conditions support multiples at or above the midpoint.
Full valuation guide for Logistics & Freight BrokerageLogistics & Freight Brokerage acquisitions are SBA 7(a) eligible, meaning buyers can finance up to 90% of the purchase price. This expands the qualified buyer pool significantly and allows first-time acquirers to close with 10% down. Typical SBA terms run 10 years at prime + 2.75%. Sellers are often asked to carry a 5–10% note alongside SBA financing to satisfy the lender's equity requirement.
Typical acquirer profile for this segment
Strategic acquirers such as regional 3PLs or national freight brokers seeking geographic or lane expansion, private equity-backed logistics platforms executing roll-up strategies, and experienced industry operators or sales executives using SBA financing to acquire an established book of business
What to investigate before buying a Logistics & Freight Brokerage business
Seller Intelligence
Who sells Logistics & Freight Brokerage businesses?
Owner-operators aged 55–70 approaching retirement who built a freight brokerage from scratch, second-generation family business owners lacking a succession plan, and founders experiencing burnout from market volatility and thin margin pressure who want to monetize their carrier relationships and book of business
Typical exit timeline: 12–24 months
Logistics & Freight Brokerage businesses in the $1M–$5M net revenue revenue range typically sell for 3.5–6× EBITDA. Minimum $500K EBITDA, net revenue (gross margin) of $1M–$4M, diversified shipper base with no single customer exceeding 20–25% of revenue, established carrier network, at least 3 years of operating history, and a management team willing to stay through transition
Logistics & Freight Brokerage businesses typically trade at 3.5–6× EBITDA in the lower middle market. The market is highly fragmented with growing demand, which supports premium multiples.
Logistics & Freight Brokerage businesses are SBA 7(a) eligible, making them accessible to first-time buyers. SBA 7(a) loan financing with 10–20% buyer equity down and seller note for gap financing
Key due diligence areas include: Net revenue vs. gross revenue reconciliation and carrier cost validation across historical periods; Customer concentration analysis including contract status, tenure, and renewal risk for top accounts; Carrier network depth, compliance records, and freight broker authority/bond documentation; Key employee retention risk, non-compete enforceability, and owner dependency assessment; Technology infrastructure review including TMS, CRM, and integration with load boards or EDI systems.
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