Sell My Freight Brokerage

Buyers scrutinize specific operational metrics when valuing a logistics company.

Deep Dive: Recasting Your Brokerage Financials

To get the highest price, we don't just look at your tax returns. We work with brokers who "recast" your P&L to show the true Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE). In logistics, this involves specific add-backs:

• Software CapEx: Did you invest heavily in a custom TMS this year? That is a capital expenditure, not an operating cost, and is added back to profit.
• Bad Debt: One-time write-offs from a bankrupt shipper or carrier claim disputes can often be normalized to show typical earnings.
• Owner Compensation: If you pay yourself an above-market salary or run personal expenses through the business, we adjust these to reflect true profitability.

Who is Buying Freight Brokerages Right Now?

Understanding the buyer landscape is critical for setting expectations. The type of buyer depends largely on your size and agent model (W2 vs. 1099).

1. Large 3PLs & Carriers:
Major logistics firms often buy smaller brokerages to acquire talent, niche shipper relationships, or technology. They pay for synergy and scale.

2. Private Equity Groups:
PE firms are active in logistics. They look for platform companies with $2M+ in Net Revenue to build regional powerhouses through acquisition.

3. Individual Investors / Industry Vets:
For smaller brokerages with SDE between $200k and $600k, the buyer is often a former logistics executive looking to own their own operation. They typically use SBA financing.

Preparing Your Business for Exit

To maximize your multiple, ensure your agent agreements include non-solicitation clauses. Buyers need assurance that your sales team won't leave and take the shippers with them.

Our Advice: Diversify your shipper base. If one customer is 50% of your revenue, it's a major risk. Also, clean up your AR/AP aging reports. Buyers hate seeing 90+ day receivables.

Why Confidentiality is Critical

Selling a brokerage carries specific risks. If word gets out, the damage can be immediate:

The Agent Risk:
Top-producing agents are constantly recruited. If they hear the business is for sale, they may jump to a competitor for a better commission split.

The Shipper Risk:
Shippers value stability. Competitors may use rumors of a sale to poach your accounts, claiming service levels will drop.

Our Approach: We utilize strict NDAs and "blind profiles." We market the financial performance and niche focus without revealing your name until a buyer has been vetted.