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 sells these: 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
3.5–6×
Market multiple range
12–24 months
Avg. exit timeline
$1M–$5M net revenue
Typical deal size
SBA Eligible
Broader buyer pool
Focus on these before going to market
Fix these before you go to market
See What Your Logistics & Freight Brokerage Business Is Worth
Free exit score, valuation range, and action plan — takes 5 minutes.
What Logistics & Freight Brokerage owners struggle with when trying to exit
8 things to complete before going to market as a Logistics & Freight Brokerage seller
Not sure where you stand? Get your free exit readiness score in 5 minutes.
Get free scoreTypical acquirer profile for Logistics & Freight Brokerage businesses
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
Logistics & Freight Brokerage businesses typically sell for 3.5–6× EBITDA in the $1M–$5M net revenue range. Key value drivers include: Diversified shipper base with long-tenured customers on service agreements or preferred vendor status; Proprietary carrier network with strong compliance records and capacity reliability across multiple lanes; Recurring or contractual freight volume providing revenue predictability and reducing spot market dependence.
Start by preparing your exit: Recast financials separating gross revenue from net revenue with 3 years of clean EBITDA documentation; Prepare customer concentration report with tenure, volume history, and contract or relationship status for top 20 shippers; Compile carrier network database with compliance documentation, insurance certificates, and lane coverage data. The typical buyer is: 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
The average exit timeline for a Logistics & Freight Brokerage business is 12–24 months. This includes preparation, marketing to buyers, due diligence, and closing.
Common value killers for Logistics & Freight Brokerage businesses include: Single shipper or industry concentration representing more than 30% of net revenue; Owner personally managing all carrier and shipper relationships with no documented SOPs; Inconsistent or declining net margins driven by over-reliance on spot market freight rates; Outdated or fragmented technology with manual processes and no scalable operating infrastructure; Unresolved freight claims, regulatory violations, or lapsed broker authority and surety bond issues.
Related Searches
Sell Other Business Types
Get your Logistics & Freight Brokerage business exit score, valuation range, and a step-by-step action plan — free, in under 5 minutes.
Start Your Free Exit AssessmentFree forever · No broker needed · Takes 5 minutes
For Buyers
For Sellers