How much does a business broker charge?

Business broker commissions range from 5–12% of the final sale price depending on deal size. Smaller businesses (under $1M) typically pay 10–12%, while mid-market businesses ($1M–$5M) pay 6–10%. Some brokers also charge an upfront retainer of $2,500–$15,000 for CIM preparation, which is usually credited back at closing.

How long does it take to sell a business?

Most small to mid-market business sales take 6–12 months from broker engagement to close. The stages include CIM preparation (4–8 weeks), buyer outreach and qualification (4–12 weeks), due diligence (30–90 days), and closing (2–4 weeks). SBA-financed deals add 30–60 days to the timeline.

What is seller's discretionary earnings (SDE)?

Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) is the standard valuation metric for small businesses. It equals net profit plus owner salary, owner benefits, non-recurring expenses, and depreciation/amortization. SDE represents the total economic benefit to a single owner-operator. Most small businesses sell at 2–4× SDE.

Do I need a business broker to sell my business?

While you can technically sell without a broker, data consistently shows brokered transactions close at 15–25% higher prices and at higher completion rates than unrepresented sales. The exception is if you already have an identified buyer at an agreed price. In any other scenario, professional representation pays for itself many times over.

What is an IBBA-certified business broker?

The International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) is the professional body for business brokers. IBBA-certified brokers hold designations like CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) or M&AMI (Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary), which require transaction history, continuing education, and adherence to a code of ethics. These certifications signal professional commitment and deal experience.

What is the difference between a business broker and an M&A advisor?

Business brokers typically handle Main Street and lower-middle-market transactions — businesses selling for $100K to $10M. M&A advisors operate in the middle market ($10M to $500M+) with larger teams, investment banking capabilities, and institutional buyer relationships. For businesses under $5M, a CBI-certified business broker is usually the right choice.

State Guide · Florida

How to Sell a Business in Florida

A complete guide for Florida business owners preparing to sell — covering broker selection, valuation, taxes, state-specific rules, and what to expect at every stage of the process.

972

IBBA Brokers in FL

2–5× SDE

Typical Florida Multiple

6–12 mo

Avg. Time to Close

Florida Business Sale Market

Florida has the highest broker density in the country — 30.9% of all IBBA-member brokers are based there. Miami, Orlando, and Tampa have deep buyer pools including international buyers (especially from Latin America and Europe) who are particularly active in hospitality, real estate services, and service businesses.

Most Active Industries

Tourism & Hospitality
Healthcare
Construction & Trades
Food & Beverage
Real Estate Services

Key Markets

Miami
Orlando
Tampa
Jacksonville
Fort Lauderdale

How to Sell a Business in Florida: Step by Step

Value Your Business Using the Right Method

Florida businesses are typically valued on SDE multiples (2–4× for Main Street) or EBITDA multiples (4–8× for PE-targetable businesses). Tourism, hospitality, and healthcare businesses often have unique valuation factors — lease terms, licenses, and customer concentration.

Select an Industry-Specialist Florida Broker

Florida has 972 IBBA-member brokers — the most of any state. Narrow to brokers with verified transactions in your industry and metro area. A Miami broker with Latin American buyer networks is very different from an Orlando hospitality specialist.

Prepare Clean Financials

Three years of tax returns, P&Ls, and POS data (for restaurants) are standard. Florida buyers — especially international buyers — expect professionally recasted financials. Add-backs must be meticulously documented.

Address License and Regulatory Issues Early

If your business holds a liquor license, healthcare license, or contractor's license, verify transferability before listing. Florida liquor license transfers require DBPR approval and 45–90 days. Surprises here are the #1 cause of deal failures in Florida.

Market to Florida's Deep Buyer Pool

Florida's buyer pool is unusually diverse — individual buyers, PE roll-ups, and international buyers are all active. Your broker should market to all three segments. International buyers are particularly active for businesses priced over $1M in Miami and South Florida.

Negotiate Deal Structure

Most Florida small business sales are asset sales. If real estate is involved, sell it separately as a leaseback or have the business lease from the seller. Florida documentary stamp tax applies to deed transfers — structure real estate separately to minimize transaction costs.

Close Through a Florida Title Company

Florida closings typically use a title company or real estate attorney. Due diligence runs 30–90 days. Prepare a complete data room. SBA financing is common — if the buyer is using SBA, add 30–60 days to the timeline.

Florida Tax & Legal Considerations

Florida has no state income tax, which is a significant seller advantage. No state capital gains tax — sellers pay only federal rates. Florida documentary stamp tax (0.35% of purchase price) typically applies to the deed transfer if real estate is included.

Florida business sales are common in tourism, hospitality, and healthcare. Florida requires liquor license transfer approval from the DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) — a critical timeline item for restaurant and bar sales. Healthcare businesses require AHCA licensing review.

Note: This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Consult a qualified CPA and business attorney before closing any transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions: Selling a Business in Florida

How many business brokers are in Florida?

Florida has the most business brokers of any state — 972 IBBA-member brokers, representing 30.9% of the national total. This is 3.4× more brokers than Texas despite similar business populations. Miami, Orlando, and Tampa have the highest concentrations.

Does Florida have a capital gains tax on business sales?

No. Florida has no state income tax or capital gains tax. Florida business owners selling pay only federal capital gains rates — typically 15–20% for assets held over one year. This makes Florida one of the most seller-friendly states in the country.

What industries are most active for business sales in Florida?

Florida is especially active in tourism & hospitality, healthcare, construction & trades, food & beverage, and professional services. Miami attracts international buyers for high-end businesses. Orlando has strong activity in hospitality and franchise businesses.

Are there any Florida-specific issues when selling a restaurant or bar?

Yes — liquor license transfers in Florida require DBPR approval and can take 45–90 days. This is the single most common deal-delay issue in Florida restaurant sales. Your broker should factor this into the closing timeline and begin the transfer process at LOI.

How do I find a Florida business broker who specializes in my industry?

Florida has 972 IBBA-member brokers across all specialties. Use BizBrokerMatch to filter by your industry and city. For Miami businesses, look for brokers with international buyer networks. For healthcare businesses, look for brokers with AHCA licensing experience.

Find a Verified Florida Business Broker

BizBrokerMatch tracks 972 IBBA-member brokers across Florida. Answer 4 questions and get matched with the right broker for your industry and location — free.

Or browse the full Florida broker directory to see all verified FL brokers.

Get Matched Free →

BizBrokerMatch maintains a searchable database of 3,142 business brokers across all 50 U.S. states, including 972 brokers in Florida. Brokers are scored on IBBA tenure, certifications (CBI, M&AMI), transaction history, and web presence. The free matching tool filters by industry, revenue, state, and deal timeline. Get matched with a Florida broker →