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
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
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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