11 M&A advisors active in Nashville transportation and logistics deals in 2026. Covers trucking, 3PL, freight brokerage, and supply chain with firm profiles and recent deals.
Nashville sits at the intersection of I-24, I-40, and I-65. That makes it one of the top freight crossroads in the Southeast.
The city's logistics sector keeps growing. Distribution centers, third-party logistics firms, and regional carriers all operate here.
Transportation deals in Nashville move faster than you'd expect. Buyers check customer contracts, driver retention, and equipment age first.
Set up a virtual data room before your first advisor call. Buyers want organized records from day one.
| Firm | Deal Type | Deal Size | Sector Focus | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Tenney Group | The Tenney Group | Both | $10M - $300M | Trucking, 3PL, Freight Brokerage, Logistics | thetenneygroup.com |
| PMCF Investment Banking | PMCF Investment Banking | Both | $10M - $250M | Transportation, Logistics, Industrials | pmcf.com |
| Stephens Inc. | Stephens Inc. | Both | $50M - $1B | Transportation, Logistics, Diversified Industrials | stephens.com |
| PCE Investment Bankers | PCE Investment Bankers | Both | $5M - $150M | Transportation, Logistics, Business Services | pcecompanies.com |
| BGL (Brown Gibbons Lang) | BGL (Brown Gibbons Lang) | Both | $20M - $500M | Transportation, Marine, Supply Chain, Logistics | bglco.com |
| Houlihan Lokey | Houlihan Lokey | Both | $50M - $5B | Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain Tech | hl.com |
| Harris Williams | Harris Williams | Both | $50M - $2B | Transportation, PE-backed, Business Services | harriswilliams.com |
| Lincoln International | Lincoln International | Both | $50M - $2B | Transportation, Logistics, PE-backed | lincolninternational.com |
| Pallas Partners | Pallas Partners | Both | $10M - $200M | Transportation, Industrials, Business Services | pallaspartners.com |
| ACT Capital Advisors | ACT Capital Advisors | Both | $2M - $100M | Transportation, Business Services, Multi-sector | actcapitaladvisors.com |
| Transact Capital Partners | Transact Capital Partners | Both | $10M - $200M | Transportation, Business Services, Technology | transactcapital.com |
How to verify an advisor's track record
Ask for a closed deal list in your sub-sector. A trucking advisor doesn't reach the same buyers as a 3PL boutique.
Advisors who know Nashville name regional carriers and distribution buyers. Broad logistics references don't hold up on a reference call.
Check whether they've advised on both asset-heavy and asset-light deals. Nashville draws both types across freight and warehousing.
Use Ellty to share financials with shortlisted advisors under NDA. You'll see who opens your files before your first call. Browse the Nashville M&A advisors list for a broader view. Read the M&A process guide before outreach.
Running a Nashville logistics deal?
Share financials with buyers under NDA. Track who opens them.
Start free 14-day trialHow a Nashville T&L deal runs
Nashville transportation deals typically close in four to six months. Asset-heavy trucking deals with equipment appraisals can add four to six weeks.
| Stage | What happens | What you need ready | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Preparation | Stage 1: Preparation | Run QoE, build CIM, shortlist advisors by sub-sector | Three years P&L, customer contracts, equipment schedule |
| Stage 2: Advisor engagement | Stage 2: Advisor engagement | Sign engagement letter, align on buyer list | Cap table, driver agreements, fleet maintenance records |
| Stage 3: Marketing | Stage 3: Marketing | CIM sent to buyers, NDAs signed, meetings set | Ellty data room live with CIM and financials |
| Stage 4: LOI | Stage 4: LOI | Buyers submit bids, LOIs negotiated, exclusivity signed | Clean revenue data, no open customer concentration issues |
| Stage 5: Due diligence | Stage 5: Due diligence | Buyer reviews legal, financial, and operational records | Full Ellty data room: contracts, fleet, financials, permits |
| Stage 6: Close | Stage 6: Close | Purchase agreement signed, funds transfer | Reps and warranties signed, driver transition plans ready |
11 Nashville transportation and logistics M&A advisors
These 11 firms advise on transportation and logistics M&A in Nashville. Coverage spans trucking, 3PL, freight brokerage, and supply chain.
1. The Tenney Group
The only M&A advisory firm dedicated exclusively to transportation and logistics since 1973.
Recent Deals: Expects a "dramatic increase" in T&L M&A in Q4 2026, per their 2026 forecast. Active in brokerage, drayage, and freight tech consolidation through 2025-2026. Publishes quarterly transportation M&A white papers and an annual M&A recap and forecast.
LinkedIn: The Tenney Group LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Trucking, freight brokerage, 3PL, drayage, freight tech
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $300M
Location: National (serves Nashville market)
Website: thetenneygroup.com
2. PMCF Investment Banking
A middle-market bank publishing quarterly transportation M&A reports for every quarter of 2025.
Recent Deals: Published T&L M&A Pulse reports for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 2025. Tracked 121 US T&L transactions in 2025, down 28% from 2024. Active in transportation, logistics, and industrials M&A nationally through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: PMCF Investment Banking LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Transportation, logistics, industrials, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $250M
Location: National (serves Nashville market)
Website: pmcf.com
3. Stephens Inc.
A family-owned bank with a transportation M&A team active in logistics since the 1980s.
Recent Deals: Advised Buske Logistics in an M&A transaction in March 2026. Held its 27th Annual Investment Conference in Nashville in November 2025. Active in transportation and logistics M&A nationally through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: Stephens Inc. LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Transportation, logistics, diversified industrials, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M - $1B
Location: Nashville, TN (Little Rock HQ)
Website: stephens.com
4. PCE Investment Bankers
A national boutique publishing quarterly transportation M&A trend reports since 2025.
Recent Deals: Published T&L M&A quarterly reports for Q1, Q2, and Q3 2025. Tracks deal multiples and market conditions in transportation quarterly. Active in transportation and logistics M&A nationally through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: PCE Investment Bankers LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Transportation, logistics, business services, industrials
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $5M - $150M
Location: National (serves Nashville market)
Website: pcecompanies.com
5. BGL (Brown Gibbons Lang)
A middle-market bank with a dedicated transportation and infrastructure advisory team.
Recent Deals: Advised West Gulf Marine in its sale to Maritime Partners in October 2025. Active in transportation infrastructure and logistics M&A nationally through 2025-2026. Led by Managing Director Craig Decker with deep experience in marine, road, rail, and aviation.
LinkedIn: BGL LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Transportation, marine, road, rail, supply chain, logistics
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $20M - $500M
Location: National (serves Nashville market)
Website: bglco.com
Selling a Nashville T&L business?
Set up your data room before your advisor call. Track who opens it.
Start free 14-day trial6. Houlihan Lokey
The #1 ranked global M&A advisor by deal count in 2025, with a supply chain and logistics team.
Recent Deals: Ranked #1 globally for all M&A by LSEG in 2025 with 318 deals closed. Advised in the sale of 1st Choice - a healthcare last-mile logistics platform - to Lanter in September 2025. Active in transportation, logistics, and supply chain tech M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: Houlihan Lokey LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Transportation, logistics, supply chain tech, PE-backed
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M - $5B
Location: National (serves Nashville market)
Website: hl.com
7. Harris Williams
A national mid-market bank with transportation and logistics coverage in its 2026 industry outlook.
Recent Deals: Published T&L 2026 Industry Outlook covering M&A trends across sub-sectors. Active in PE-backed transportation and logistics M&A nationally through 2025-2026. Covers freight tech, 3PL, and asset-light logistics businesses.
LinkedIn: Harris Williams LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Transportation, logistics, PE-backed, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M - $2B
Location: National (serves Nashville market)
Website: harriswilliams.com
8. Lincoln International
A global mid-market bank that published a T&L market analysis and 2026 outlook report.
Recent Deals: Published "Reset to Reengagement: T&L M&A in 2025 and Why 2026 Matters More." Filed for US IPO in April 2026 with $214.1M net income in 2025, up 31%. Active in transportation, logistics, and PE-backed M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: Lincoln International LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Transportation, logistics, PE-backed, multi-sector
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M - $2B
Location: National (serves Nashville market)
Website: lincolninternational.com
9. Pallas Partners
A Louisville and Nashville boutique focused on founder-owned and family business exits.
Recent Deals: Founded in 2007 with offices in Louisville, KY, and Nashville, TN. Works with founders and family-owned businesses to maximize exit value. Advises PE and family office buyers on acquisitions in transportation and industrials.
LinkedIn: Pallas Partners LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Transportation, industrials, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $200M
Location: Nashville, TN and Louisville, KY
Website: pallaspartners.com
10. ACT Capital Advisors
A national boutique with a Nashville office serving lower-middle-market business owners.
Recent Deals: Nashville office led by Senior Advisor George Gifford. Partners with a global advisory network for buy-side and sell-side deals. Active in transportation and business services M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: ACT Capital Advisors LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Transportation, business services, multi-sector
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $2M - $100M
Location: Nashville, TN
Website: actcapitaladvisors.com
11. Transact Capital Partners
A Nashville investment bank with a transportation and business services vertical.
Recent Deals: Active in transportation and business services M&A in Nashville through 2025-2026. Works with founder-owned and PE-backed companies in the $10M-$200M enterprise value range. Covers distribution, logistics, and tech-enabled services businesses.
LinkedIn: Transact Capital Partners LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Transportation, business services, technology
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $200M
Location: Nashville, TN
Website: transactcapital.com
Nashville as a logistics hub for M&A
Nashville's highway network puts it within a day's drive of 75% of the US population. That's why distribution companies keep buying here.
Major retailers and e-commerce platforms expanded Nashville-area warehouse space in 2025. This pushes up demand for third-party logistics providers in the market.
PE buyers in logistics target companies with recurring contracts and limited spot exposure. Nashville 3PLs with dedicated fleet operations draw the most interest.
Use Ellty to share customer contract data and fleet schedules with buyers under NDA. Trackable links show who reviews your key files before LOI. Read the types of M&A deals guide to understand deal structures buyers prefer. See the mergers and acquisitions page for an overview of deal mechanics.
Buyer types in Nashville T&L deals
PE funds bought the majority of mid-market transportation and logistics companies in 2025. Strategic buyers focused on tuck-in acquisitions that added density or routes.
Asset-light brokerage platforms attracted the most PE interest in the year. Asset-heavy trucking companies with modern fleets and long-term contracts also transacted.
Nashville carriers with temperature-controlled or pharmaceutical delivery capabilities drew premium interest from health care logistics buyers.
Use Ellty to share fleet data and operational records with strategic and PE buyers separately. Set permissions by buyer type so each party sees only what their NDA covers. Read the due diligence for acquisition guide to prepare records buyers check first. Explore the how to prepare for due diligence guide to get organized early.
What buyers check first in Nashville T&L diligence
Customer concentration tops the list in every transportation diligence process. If your top three customers exceed 50% of revenue, buyers will reprice the deal.
Driver retention and turnover records come next. Nashville carriers with low CDL turnover command better multiples in 2026.
Equipment age, maintenance records, and DOT compliance filings surface by week two. Buyers want to see records organized and ready.
Use Ellty to organize your DOT records, maintenance logs, and customer contracts in one data room. Set trackable links so you know which buyers reviewed your permits and fleet data. Read the sell-side due diligence guide to prepare before buyers come in.
How Ellty helps you close an M&A deal in Nashville
You've picked your Nashville T&L advisor. Set up your data room next. Get buyers reviewing files fast.
- 1.Upload contracts, permits, and financial recordsOrganize by type. Nashville T&L buyers check customer contracts first.
- 2.Set access by buyer type and NDA statusPE buyers and strategic acquirers need different document sets.
- 3.Track who reviews your key filesSee which buyers open your fleet data and how long they spend.
Common questions about Nashville transportation and logistics M&A advisors
- Freight brokerage, 3PL, and asset-light logistics lead deal volume. Temperature-controlled and pharma logistics draw PE buyer interest.
- Local boutiques like Pallas Partners and ACT Capital know the Nashville buyer pool. National T&L specialists like Tenney Group reach more PE and strategic buyers.
- Most deals close in four to six months. Asset-heavy trucking deals with equipment appraisals can add four to six weeks.
- Customer concentration and driver retention come first. Equipment age, DOT compliance, and maintenance records surface in week two.
- Before your first advisor call. Buyers want organized customer contracts and fleet records from day one of diligence.
- ACT Capital Advisors and PCE Investment Bankers both work in the lower middle market. Transact Capital Partners also covers smaller transportation businesses.
