AED Program Management Service
Every gym, school, and office building has a defibrillator — most owners don't know the pads expire
AED (automated external defibrillator) program management businesses handle the ongoing compliance, inspection, and supply replacement for defibrillators installed in commercial buildings, gyms, schools, offices, and sports facilities. Every installed AED has electrode pads that expire every 2 years and batteries that last 4-5 years. Building owners are legally liable if their AED fails to function in an emergency. Most have no idea who is responsible for tracking expiration dates or filing the required state registrations. The business model is pure recurring revenue from regulatory necessity.
Avg Revenue
$150K
Profit Margin
48%
Acquisition Multiple
2.5x - 5x
Startup Cost
$5K - $15K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
The operator signs buildings to an annual management plan ($150-$600/AED/year depending on services included). The plan covers quarterly or annual physical inspections, tracking of pad and battery expiration dates, supply fulfillment when components expire, CPR training coordination, and state compliance registration management. Clients are sticky because the compliance liability never goes away and switching providers means re-documenting their entire AED inventory. A single operator can manage 200-500 AEDs across 50-150 client sites.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 541990 · All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | FL | $50K | $59K | 4 | Garage Living |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $1.0M | $1.2M | 4 | Garage Living |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $395K | $464K | 13 | — |
| Dec 2025 | OK | $411K | $484K | 5 | — |
| Dec 2025 | OK | $30K | $35K | 5 | — |
| Dec 2025 | NH | $4.3M | $5.0M | 63 | — |
| Dec 2025 | WI | $1.6M | $1.9M | 7 | — |
| Nov 2025 | NY | $2.9M | $3.4M | 2 | — |
| Nov 2025 | IN | $100K | $118K | 11 | — |
| Nov 2025 | IN | $1.8M | $2.1M | 11 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Pads expire every 2 years without exception — 100% of clients renew on a known schedule
- +Legal liability creates price insensitivity — clients cannot afford to let this lapse
- +Extremely low physical labor — inspections are quick visual checks with minimal equipment
- +Software-tracked compliance data becomes a switching cost that locks in clients
Cons
- -Revenue per client site is modest — route density is essential for strong income
- -Medical device registration and state AED laws vary and require careful compliance tracking
- -Building access scheduling adds administrative overhead
Best For
Operators who want a recurring-revenue route business with minimal physical demands and strong client retention driven by compliance requirements
Operating Costs
At $300/AED/year and 500 managed units, annual revenue is $150K. Margin is high because the physical visit is short, supply markup on pads and batteries is 30-50%, and overhead is minimal (van, software, insurance). Net margins of 45-50% are achievable at scale. The strongest operators bundle CPR training to multiply revenue per client.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Overview of what a full AED compliance management service includes
Search for AED and medical compliance service business acquisition listings
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- route
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $375K–$750K
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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