Freight Brokerage Business Valuation
Value a freight brokerage or 3PL using gross revenue, net revenue multiples, and EBITDA analysis.
29 valuation methods · 43 industries · Results in under 10 minutes
Who this is for
Freight brokerage owners evaluating acquisition offers, PE investors building logistics platforms, and shippers considering acquiring their broker partner will find this tool most relevant.
Valuation methods we use
Freight brokerages are valued on net revenue (gross profit) multiples of 5–10× and EBITDA multiples of 7–12× for technology-enabled platforms. Gross revenue multiples (0.1–0.3×) are used as a floor check. This tool is informational only. Output is driven by your inputs and does not constitute a formal appraisal or certified valuation.
What drives value in Freight Brokerage
- Net revenue margin (spread between buy and sell rates) and gross profit per load
- Carrier network depth and contract capacity availability
- Technology platform - TMS capabilities versus manual brokerage
- Shipper concentration and contract coverage versus spot exposure
- Revenue mix between truckload, LTL, and specialty modes
- Back-office scalability - load-per-broker ratio
Value your business in under 10 minutes
- 1.Upload your financial statements, or type the figures in.
- 2.Confirm the add-backs and the industry details the model asks for.
- 3.Get a valuation range, the methods behind it and a PDF memorandum.
Typical metrics and inputs
Gross revenue
Total revenue billed to shippers; top-line scale measure.
Net revenue (gross profit)
Gross revenue minus carrier costs; the true economic output and primary valuation denominator.
Net revenue margin
Gross profit as a percentage of gross revenue; typically 12–20% for non-asset brokers.
Load count
Total shipments arranged per year; reflects operational throughput.
Loads per broker
Productivity metric; 150–300 loads per broker per month for technology-enabled brokerages.
Example scenarios
Technology-enabled TL brokerage
A freight broker with $30 M gross revenue, 15% net margin ($4.5 M net revenue), and a proprietary TMS might trade at 7–9× net revenue.
Relationship-based regional broker
A regional broker with $8 M gross revenue, 17% margin, but no proprietary technology might be valued at 5–6× net revenue due to key-man risk.
Further reading
Is a Business Worth 3 Times Profit? When It Is 2x, When It Is 5x, and Which Profit Counts
Is a business worth 3 times profit? Often, if the profit is SDE. When 2x or 5x applies instead, which profit counts, and what diligence does to the price.
How Much Is a Business Worth With $500,000 in Sales? The Revenue Ladder From $100K to $3 Million
Revenue does not set a price, earnings do. See what businesses at $100K, $200K, $300K, $500K, $1M, $2M and $3M in sales are worth at 10%, 20% and 30% margins.
Business Valuation Methods Explained: DCF vs. Comps vs. Precedent Transactions
The five business valuation methods professionals actually use (DCF, comparable companies, precedent transactions, SDE/EBITDA multiples, and asset-based), when each wins, and how they combine into one defensible number.
Frequently asked questions
Is freight brokerage valued on gross or net revenue?
Net revenue (gross profit) is the correct valuation denominator. Gross revenue is misleading due to high carrier pass-through costs.
What EBITDA multiple do freight brokers sell for?
Typically 5–10× EBITDA; technology platforms with proprietary TMS and digital carrier networks can reach 10–14×.
How does shipper concentration affect value?
If one shipper represents >20% of revenue, most buyers will require reps and warranties and may apply a discount to that revenue stream.
Does a TMS (Transportation Management System) increase value?
Yes - proprietary technology reduces key-man risk, improves scalability, and supports a premium multiple versus purely relationship-driven brokerages.
Is this a certified appraisal?
No. This tool provides informational estimates. For formal M&A transactions, engage a logistics industry advisor.
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