Industry Insights with Route Consultant

Running Bread Routes The Right Way

Recorded live at the Route Consultant Expo 2026, host Josh Gregory and broker Steven Rhine break down what it really takes to run and scale bread routes, covering staffing strategies like vacation runners, referrals, and retention, along with retail execution including merchandising, Walmart relationships, and display placement. They also explore fulfillment KPIs tied to online ordering, hiring pipelines, compensation structures, handling sales and overages, holiday planning using historical data, and how to grow through independent accounts, offering a practical look at the day to day realities of route ownership.  • Learn more about route-based businesses: routeconsultant.com/learn • Register for a free event: routeconsultant.com/events • Contact our team: routeconsultant.com/contact

Inside the Amazon DSP Model

Recorded live at the Route Consultant Expo 2026, Josh Gregory and Andrew Polito (CFO at GoHQ) break down the realities of owning an Amazon DSP, including the application and “bench” process, stand-up timelines, and the capital needed to launch. They cover key cost drivers like payroll, fleet/rentals, insurance deposits and renewals, and how claims management and safety culture impact long-term premiums. Andrew explains Amazon’s pay structure (route-hour blocks, per-package pay, and fixed monthly fleet payments), the scorecard tiers and bonuses tied to safety and quality metrics, and why controlling labor hours versus allotted route hours is critical. They discuss staffing models, dispatch/rescues, management roles, cash forecasting, typical profitability and revenue ranges, growth opportunities like rural expansion, pop-ups, and the Pinnacle Program, and the outlook tied to Ship with Amazon and new terminal investment. • Learn more about route-based businesses: routeconsultant.com/learn • Register for a free event: routeconsultant.com/events • Contact our team: routeconsultant.com/contact

Amazon vs Bread Routes: Which Investment is Right for You?

This week, we compare two paths in the delivery business: Amazon DSP and Bread Route Investments. Stephen Rhein and Luke Price join us to break down the core differences between these models, what sets them apart, and what prospective operators should consider when evaluating each option. Tune in for a clear, high-level overview to help you understand how these opportunities differ and which may better align with your goals. • Learn more about route-based businesses: routeconsultant.com/learn • Register for a free event: routeconsultant.com/events • Contact our team: routeconsultant.com/contact

Crisis-Proofing Your Business: How to Stay Ahead in an Evolving Industry

Recorded live at the Route Consultant Expo 2026 in Nashville, this keynote panel—hosted by Rahmel Wattley, founder of Truck N’ Hustle—features logistics leaders Amy Byers, Adam Angell, and Nick Hafen on how to crisis-proof route and transportation businesses amid constant change. They discuss major disruptions across FedEx and Amazon networks, including evolving safety equipment requirements, shifting fleet maintenance responsibilities, and the impact of larger package volume and FedEx 2.0 integration. The panel shares practical lessons on protecting profitability through strong vendor relationships, disciplined cash-flow management, operational KPIs, building in-house maintenance capabilities, and developing management layers and cross-training to reduce risk. Audience Q&A covers scaling timing, recognizing readiness to grow, finding distressed opportunities, and considerations for operating routes in other markets. • Learn more about route-based businesses: routeconsultant.com/learn • Register for a free event: routeconsultant.com/events • Contact our team: routeconsultant.com/contact

Business Exit Planning: Life After Selling Your Business

In part two of Industry Insights’ exit strategy sessions, we're joined by Steve Alverson and Austin Coley of McCall Wealth Advisors to discuss what happens after a business sale and how owners can successfully transition into life beyond operations. The conversation covers planning early for life after the sale, the need for flexibility as many owners “boomerang” into new ventures, and the importance of involving spouses and children through family meetings, estate planning, and philanthropy tools. • Learn more about route-based businesses: routeconsultant.com/learn • Register for a free event: routeconsultant.com/events • Contact our team: routeconsultant.com/contact