If you own an Occupational & Hand Therapy practice in Orlando, the market is sending a clear signal: it’s a great time to explore your options. Growth is strong, and buyers are actively seeking established practices. But turning high demand into a successful sale requires a plan. This guide will walk you through the key market dynamics, valuation principles, and strategic steps to help you navigate the process confidently and maximize your outcome.
Market Overview
The timing for selling an Occupational and Hand Therapy practice in Florida has rarely been better. Nationally, the industry is on a powerful growth trajectory, expected to surge from a $59 billion market in 2024 to over $128 billion by 2032. That’s a growth rate of over 10% each year.
This trend is even more pronounced here in Florida. Our state’s physical and occupational therapy sector is on track to become a $3.2 billion industry. For you, an Orlando practice owner, this isn’t just a statistic. It translates to a growing pool of sophisticated buyers, from private equity groups to strategic health systems, all looking for well-run practices with a strong local reputation. The question is no longer if there is interest, but how to best position your practice to attract the right kind of interest.
Key Considerations for Orlando Sellers
Beyond the numbers, sophisticated buyers look for specific qualities in an Orlando practice. Your story is just as important as your profit and loss statement. Before you begin the process, we find it pays to focus on a few key areas.
Your Clinical Reputation
In a specialized field like hand therapy, your reputation is a major asset. Buyers are purchasing the trust you have built with patients and referring physicians over years. Highlighting this goodwill is central to communicating your practice’s true value.
Your Patient Base
An established and stable patient base provides predictable revenue, which is highly attractive to buyers. Demonstrating low patient turnover and consistent demand in the Orlando area shows that your practice isn’t just a business, but a stable community fixture.
Your Modern Approach
Are you incorporating new trends? Buyers pay a premium for practices that are already adopting telehealth, using modern technology, or expanding their scope of services. Showing you are prepared for the future of therapy reduces the perceived risk for an incoming owner.
A comprehensive valuation is the foundation of a successful practice transition strategy.
Market Activity in Central Florida
A quick look at business sale platforms shows that therapy practices across Florida are already on the market. We see established practices with over $500,000 in annual revenue listed for sale, indicating a healthy and active transaction environment. We have even seen some promoted as “flash deals” ready to sell within 30 days.
While this activity is encouraging, it is also a warning. When a practice is simply “listed for sale,” it often fails to create the competitive tension needed to achieve a premium valuation. The most successful sales are rarely the most public ones. They are the result of a confidential and structured process where a curated group of qualified buyers are approached. This ensures you are negotiating from a position of strength, not just waiting for an offer to appear.
The Practice Sale Process
Selling a practice isn’t a single event. It is a structured process that unfolds over several months. Many owners tell us they wish they had started preparing 1-2 years before they wanted to sell. Here are the typical stages we guide our clients through.
- Preparation and Valuation. This is the foundational step where we help you understand what your practice is truly worth. We analyze your financials, normalize expenses, and prepare a compelling narrative that showcases your practice’s strengths.
- Strategic Marketing. Instead of just listing your practice, we run a confidential process. We identify and discreetly approach a list of the most likely and best-fitting buyers, including strategic acquirers and private equity firms that value your specialty.
- Negotiation and Offers. With multiple interested parties, we create a competitive environment to drive up the value and improve the terms of the offers you receive. We help you compare offers not just on price, but on structure and cultural fit.
- Due Diligence and Closing. This is where deals often face challenges. We manage the flow of information, anticipate buyer questions, and resolve issues before they can derail the transaction, guiding you smoothly to a successful closing.
The due diligence process is where many practice sales encounter unexpected challenges.
How Your Practice is Valued
One of the first questions any owner asks is, “What is my practice worth?” The answer is more complex than a simple rule of thumb. Sophisticated buyers value your practice based on its Adjusted EBITDA, or cash flow. This is your profit before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, with “add-backs” for owner-related expenses like an above-market salary or a personal car lease.
This Adjusted EBITDA figure is then multiplied by a number the “multiple” to determine your practice’s Enterprise Value. That multiple is not fixed. It changes based on risk and opportunity.
| Practice Characteristic | Impact on Valuation Multiple | Why It Matters to Buyers |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Owner Dependent | Lower Multiple (3.0x – 5.0x) | Higher risk if the owner leaves. |
| Multiple Providers | Higher Multiple (5.5x – 7.5x) | Revenue is diversified and less dependent on one person. |
| Strong Growth & Tech | Premium Multiple (8.0x+) | The buyer sees a clear path to future returns. |
| Stagnant or Declining | Lower Multiple | The buyer has to invest more to turn it around. |
Getting this calculation right is the foundation of a successful sale. A professional valuation ensures you are not leaving money on the table.
Curious about what your practice might be worth in today’s market?
Planning for Life After the Sale
A successful sale is about more than just the final price. It is about securing your legacy and ensuring a smooth transition for your team and patients. You have spent years building your practice, and the right deal structure protects what you have built.
Many owners are concerned about a loss of control. But a sale doesn’t always mean walking away entirely. We often structure deals where the owner retains a significant stake in the new, larger company. This “rollover equity” allows you to take cash off the table today while participating in the future growth of the platform, giving you a potential second, often larger, payout down the road. This is how you transition from an owner-operator to a strategic partner, securing both your financial future and your professional legacy on your own terms.
Your legacy and staff deserve protection during the transition to new ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is now a good time to sell my Occupational & Hand Therapy practice in Orlando, FL?
The Occupational & Hand Therapy market is growing rapidly with strong buyer interest nationally and especially in Florida. Florida’s therapy sector is projected to become a $3.2 billion industry, attracting sophisticated buyers such as private equity and strategic health systems. This demand creates a favorable environment for sellers to maximize their sale outcomes.
What are key factors buyers consider when purchasing an Occupational & Hand Therapy practice in Orlando?
Buyers look for a strong clinical reputation, an established and stable patient base, and a modern approach including telehealth and updated technology. These factors reduce perceived risks and indicate a practice is well-positioned for future growth.
How is my Occupational & Hand Therapy practice valued when selling?
Valuation is primarily based on your Adjusted EBITDA (profit before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization plus adjustments for owner-related expenses) multiplied by a valuation multiple. This multiple varies depending on factors like owner dependency, number of providers, growth prospects, and technology adoption, ranging roughly from 3.0x to 8.0x or more.
What is the typical process for selling a therapy practice in Orlando?
The sale process involves several stages: 1) Preparation and valuation to understand your practice’s worth, 2) Strategic and confidential marketing to attract qualified buyers, 3) Negotiation of multiple offers to optimize price and terms, and 4) Due diligence and closing where details are finalized and any issues resolved.
Can I still be involved in my practice after selling it?
Yes, many sellers retain a significant equity stake through rollover equity arrangements, allowing them to cash out some value while remaining involved as strategic partners. This approach can secure your financial future and legacy while ensuring a smoother transition for your team and patients.