Industry Insights

with Route Consultant

Welcome to Industry Insights with Route Consultant—your front-row seat to the fast-moving world of logistics and beyond. Each week, we bring you game-changing insights, real-world strategies, and fresh perspectives to fuel smarter investments and build stronger businesses. Join us as we sit down with expert guests to explore emerging trends and pressing topics across a wide range of industries.

Latest Episodes

Explore All Industry Articles + Videos

Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

Hiring and Keeping Great Drivers for Your Bread Route

Many bread route businesses are built and run by owner-operators, but as your territory grows or personal priorities shift, building a reliable team becomes essential. Whether you're planning to step out of the truck or expand your operation, recruiting and retaining drivers is a key part of growing a sustainable bread route business.

Read More
Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

Hiring Strategies for Finding and Keeping FedEx Drivers

In the FedEx Ground contractor model, your team is the backbone of your business. Whether you're operating Pickup & Delivery (P&D) or Linehaul routes, recruiting and retaining a dependable team is one of the most critical factors in long-term success.

Unlike traditional companies, FedEx contractors are independent business owners who must build and manage their own workforce. This means developing strong hiring practices, building a positive workplace culture, and minimizing costly turnover.

Read More
Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

How FedEx Ground Drivers Are Paid

For the vast majority of FedEx Ground contractors, payroll is the largest operational expense. It’s no exaggeration that how you pay your drivers and manage your payroll expense will have a material effect on the profitability of your business as well as the productivity of your team.

Read More
Blog Post Kylie Larson Blog Post Kylie Larson

What to Expect In Expenses for FedEx Routes for Sale

FedEx Ground routes have predictable revenues with few variables. It’s what makes these businesses such solid investments!

If your revenue is predictable with few variables to significantly change it, then how do you impact your Net Operating Income (or take-home pay)? You focus on Total Expenses.

Read More
Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

Can I Lease My Fleet?

What many contractors don’t know, however, is that there is a strong argument for using full-service leases in some cases. If you have routes that travel 35,000 miles a year or less, a full-service vehicle lease may be the best option for you.

Read More
Blog Post Kylie Larson Blog Post Kylie Larson

What is a Labor Market Analysis?

As we continue to face labor shortages, contractors struggle to recruit drivers for their operations. To help combat the challenges of finding drivers, we have partnered with Bright Flag Recruiting. One of the biggest challenges contractors face when buying or operating in a market is determining what they need to pay to be competitive when recruiting and retaining drivers.

Read More
Blog Post Kylie Larson Blog Post Kylie Larson

Are Electric Vehicles Viable in the Package Delivery Industry?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are all the rage in today’s consumer market. Many cities and states, particularly on the east and west coasts, are edging ever closer to lowering emissions and adopting a more electric vehicle friendly environment. FedEx Ground has vowed to be fully carbon neutral by 2040. EVs will certainly be a big part of that initiative.

Read More
Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

How Bread Route Territories Work

A bread route territory is a contractually protected area in which you, as the distributor, have the exclusive right to deliver and sell products from a specific brand, such as Pepperidge Farm, Flowers Foods, or Bimbo Bakeries…Each bakery brand has its own policies for how territories are created and assigned, but the general goal is to ensure exclusive coverage without overlap between distributors.

Read More
Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

Are Bread Routes a Smart Investment? Equity Value and Market Outlook Explained

For many entrepreneurs, bread routes offer an accessible and consistent entry point into small business ownership. While much of the focus is often placed on weekly cash flow and brand alignment, one critical question often gets overlooked: What is the equity value of a bread route, and how does the market outlook affect it?

Whether you're buying your first route or planning for a future sale, understanding the equity you’re building and the current market landscape is key to making smart, long-term decisions.

Read More
Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

Understanding FedEx Ground Territories: What Contractors Own

If you're thinking about buying a FedEx Ground route, one of the first things you’ll come across is the concept of territory rights. But what exactly does that mean—and how does FedEx define and enforce territories?

Understanding how FedEx territories are assigned, managed, and evaluated is essential to running a profitable and protected business.

Read More
Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

Fleet Strategy for Bread Routes: What Kind of Truck Do You Really Need?

When you invest in a bread route, your delivery vehicle is more than just transportation—it’s one of the most important assets in your business. A smart fleet strategy can improve your efficiency, increase profitability, and reduce long-term operating costs.

A fleet strategy is your plan for acquiring, operating, and maintaining the delivery vehicle—or fleet of vehicles—used to run your bread route.

Read More
Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

FedEx Ground Route Financials: Key Numbers Every Buyer Should Know

When evaluating a FedEx route business, one of the most important steps is understanding the financials that drive long-term success. Revenue numbers alone don’t tell the full story. In order to make an informed buying decision—or optimize a route you already own—you need to know how to analyze the key financial metrics that matter most.

Read More
Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

Day in the Life of a Bread Route Owner

If you're considering investing in a bread route, one of the first questions you'll likely ask is: What does a typical day look like for an owner? While bread routes are known for offering early hours and consistent schedules, the daily routine depends on whether you're operating the route yourself or managing a driver.

Read More
Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

What Determines List Price for Bread Routes?

Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, understanding what drives the list price of a bread route is essential to making a smart purchase. While bread routes may seem simple on the surface—delivering fresh product to retail locations—there are multiple financial and operational factors that affect their market value.

Read More
Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

Fuel Cost and Strategy for FedEx Ground Routes

Fuel is one of the most significant operating expenses for FedEx Ground contractors—often second only to payroll. Whether you operate a fleet of pickup and delivery (P&D) trucks or linehaul tractors, optimizing your fuel costs directly impacts your bottom line.

Read More
Blog Post Guest User Blog Post Guest User

Buying and Approval Process for Bread Routes

Buying a bread route is one of the most approachable paths to business ownership in the logistics space. These routes are typically low-overhead, high-stability operations with protected territories and consistent weekly sales. But what does the actual buying and approval process look like?

Read More