Acquisitions · Updated Q1 2026
SBA 7(a) Acquisition Multiples by Industry (2026)
Buyers using SBA 7(a) for business acquisitions are constrained by the multiple the underwriter will support at 1.25x DSCR. This index catalogs the working multiples across the most common SBA acquisition industries.
The data
The purchase-price multiples SBA 7(a) will actually underwrite, by industry.
| Industry | Typical multiple | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC / Plumbing / Electrical | 3.2 – 4.5x EBITDA | Strong recurring revenue |
| Medical / Dental practices | 2.8 – 4.0x EBITDA | Age-of-doctor risk priced |
| Franchise resales | 2.5 – 3.5x EBITDA | Concept-specific |
| Auto repair | 2.5 – 3.5x EBITDA | Property often included |
| Landscaping | 2.5 – 3.2x EBITDA | Route density matters |
| Restaurants (independent) | 1.8 – 2.5x EBITDA | Cash-flow scrutiny |
| E-commerce | 2.0 – 3.0x SDE | Platform risk discount |
| Professional services | 3.0 – 4.5x EBITDA | Client concentration key |
Methodology
Median EBITDA multiple funded on Inflection Financing SBA 7(a) acquisition transactions over trailing 24 months, grouped by industry.
Key takeaways
- →Recurring-revenue trades (HVAC, professional services) support the highest multiples SBA will underwrite.
- →SBA rarely funds acquisition multiples above 4.5x without a seller note on standby terms.
- →A seller note on full standby is often the difference between a fundable and a declined acquisition.
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<blockquote cite="https://inflectionfinancing.com/data/acquisition-loan-multiples-2026"><p><strong>Recurring-revenue trades (HVAC, professional services) support the highest multiples SBA will underwrite.</strong></p><footer>Source: <a href="https://inflectionfinancing.com/data/acquisition-loan-multiples-2026">Inflection Financing — SBA 7(a) Acquisition Multiples by Industry (2026)</a></footer></blockquote>
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Citation: Inflection Financing Commercial Lending Data, "SBA 7(a) Acquisition Multiples by Industry (2026)" (Q1 2026). Available at inflectionfinancing.com/data/acquisition-loan-multiples-2026.
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