Freight Broker Business Valuation
Freight Brokerage Business Valuation Calculator & Exit Planning Built for Freight Broker Owners
We built one platform that tracks your freight brokerage value monthly, identifies exit gaps early, and ensures your personal finances align with your exit timeline.
1,000+ Businesses have joined YourExitValue.com
Most Freight Brokerage Owners Have No Idea What Their Business is Actually Worth
Current Freight Brokerage Valuation Multiples (2026)
Freight brokerage valuations depend on margin quality and customer base. Here's the market:
Every business is different. That's why you need to track your value.
Included in Your Exit Value is a complete Exit Planning Assessment where you track your progress quarterly against your results from the previous quarter.
Know your number and watch it grow
Most business owners guess at their value. You'll know it with precision.
Our platform uses six proven valuation methodologies to give you a complete picture of what your business is worth today—and tracks how that number changes month over month. No more waiting for annual appraisals or paying $15K+ for outdated reports.
See your trends. Spot opportunities. Make informed decisions
What Actually Drives Freight Brokerage Value
Your load-moving ability matters, but sophisticated buyers evaluate these factors that determine premium pricing:
Gross Margin
15%+ Net Revenue Margin
Gross margin (net revenue as percentage of gross revenue) indicates pricing power and operational efficiency. Brokerages maintaining 15%+ margins demonstrate value-added service. Low margins suggest commodity competition. Track and improve your margin consistently.
Low margin = commodity business
Customer Diversification
No Customer > 15% Revenue
Shipper concentration creates significant risk. If your top customer represents more than 15% of revenue, you're vulnerable. Diversified customer bases—across industries and geographies—command premium valuations. Start broadening now.
Concentrated = dangerous dependency
Broker Productivity
Strong Revenue per Broker
How much revenue does each broker generate? Broker productivity indicates operational efficiency and talent quality. High productivity suggests good processes and training. Track revenue per broker and compare to industry benchmarks.
Low productivity = efficiency gap
Carrier Network
Deep, Reliable Carrier Pool
Your carrier relationships enable load coverage. Deep carrier networks with reliable capacity—especially in tight markets—demonstrate operational strength. Track carrier relationships, on-time performance, and coverage rates.
Thin network = coverage risk
Technology Platform
TMS, Load Boards, Tracking
Modern TMS systems, load board integration, and shipment tracking enable efficient operations. Technology investments demonstrate operational sophistication. Manual processes with spreadsheets limit scalability.
Manual ops = scaling limits
Mode Diversification
Multiple Modes: TL, LTL, Intermodal
Brokerages offering multiple modes—truckload, LTL, intermodal, specialized—capture more customer wallet share. Single-mode focus may limit growth. Understanding your mode capabilities helps assess market position.
Single mode = limited offering
How to Value a Freight Brokerage
The U.S. freight brokerage market includes over 17,000 licensed brokers generating approximately $90 billion in annual revenue. Freight brokers connect shippers with carriers, earning a margin on each load arranged.
EBITDA is the primary valuation method. Freight brokerages typically sell for 3.0x to 6.0x EBITDA, or 2.0x to 4.0x SDE for smaller operations. Brokerages with diversified shipper clients, strong carrier networks, and technology platforms command the highest multiples.
Revenue multiples are less meaningful for freight because revenue includes carrier costs. Gross margin (net revenue) multiples of 2.0x to 5.0x are more commonly used. A brokerage generating $20M in revenue with $4M in gross margin might sell for $8M-$20M.
The unique valuation factor for freight brokerages is the customer diversification, broker team retention, and technology. Shipper concentration is the critical risk — a brokerage where one shipper represents 30%+ of volume faces significant downside if that shipper leaves. Broker/agent retention is equally important because individual brokers maintain the shipper and carrier relationships. Technology platforms that automate load matching, tracking, and carrier payment create operational efficiency and scalability.
Freight brokerage M&A has been active, with digital brokerages and PE-backed platforms driving consolidation. Use our free calculator above to get your instant estimate, then track your value monthly with YourExitValue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What multiple do freight brokerages sell for?
Freight brokerages typically sell for 3.0x – 6.0x SDE or 5x – 10x EBITDA. Brokerages with strong margins, diversified customers, and good technology command premium multiples.
How does gross margin affect freight brokerage value?
Significantly. Margin indicates pricing power. Brokerages with 15%+ margins demonstrate value-added service. Low margins suggest commodity competition.
Who buys freight brokerages?
Larger freight brokerages, 3PL companies adding brokerage, PE-backed logistics platforms, and asset-based carriers seeking brokerage capability.
Does customer concentration affect value?
Yes. Shipper concentration creates risk. No customer should exceed 15% of revenue. Diversification across industries and geographies commands premiums.
How important is technology?
Increasingly important. Modern TMS enables efficient operations. Manual processes limit scalability. Technology demonstrates operational sophistication.
What's the fastest way to increase my freight brokerage value?
Three high-impact moves: 1) Improve gross margin through pricing discipline, 2) Diversify customer base across industries, 3) Invest in TMS and automation.