
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
The Limitations and Benefits of Scale for FedEx Ground Routes
Every FedEx Ground terminal serves a defined geographic territory. FedEx Ground closely monitors—and prevents via scale requirements—any contractor/entity from growing too large or too small within a single terminal. They do so by prescribing the number of daily stops an entity can make as a percent of all terminal stops.
How to Raise Capital and Fund the Purchase of FedEx Ground Businesses
FedEx Ground businesses range in price depending on the number of routes, demand, profitability, and the health of the fleet. Knowing how to raise capital to fund FedEx operations is key to growing and being successful in this space.
P&D “Qual Cert” Driver Training Program
Driver recruiting is a challenging part of being a Contractor, especially finding candidates who meet FedEx Ground’s requirements. FedEx Ground has announced new changes to Schedule I of the ISP Agreement regarding qualifications that P&D drivers must have to operate behind the wheel.
Why Are There So Many FedEx Routes for Sale?
At any given time, about 5% of the entire network is for sale on the open market. The market inventory can and will fluctuate throughout the year, but overall this is not a concerning number.
How Are FedEx Ground Contracts Structured?
You are charging FedEx for your services. You will negotiate each of the following charges with FedEx. All of these charges combined account for money flowing into your business. It’s critical you understand how and when those charges occur. And how you can increase your cash flow! Following is a quick overview of the charges you will negotiate as part of your Independent Service Provider (ISP) contract.
What’s Your FedEx Routes Business Worth?
Perhaps you are considering a partial sale to manage growth in your organization? Or, maybe you are starting to think about retirement? Whatever your reason, thinking proactively about the value of your business is critical to maximizing your return on investment. If you understand the present-day worth of your operation, you can make necessary edits so you don’t leave cash on the table when it’s time to sell.
How To Select a Broker to Sell Your FedEx Ground Routes
An experienced broker understands the full sales process and and can help you avoid snags or pitfalls along the way. This experience both reduces your time commitment during the sales process and ensures you receive a healthy, fair market price for your routes.
The Two Things You Need to Be Successful with FedEx Routes
This business is not rocket science. Your team needs to take a cardboard box from a warehouse to someone’s doorstep. It’s not more complicated than that. However, you need to have the people and the trucks to complete that goal over and over.
Can I Run FedEx Routes as an Absentee Owner?
When an investor chooses to purchase FedEx routes for sale at a terminal that is not close to the investor’s primary residence or place of business, we call the arrangement absentee ownership.
FedEx Ground Contract Termination and OTCs
Terminating a contract can provide serious service interruptions for FedEx Ground customers and is a critical issue. FedEx Ground aims to provide seamless delivery service for all areas of operation. This being said, it is rare for a contractor to lose their FedEx Ground contract. Further, contractors almost always receive opportunities to resolve issues in advance of a contract termination
How Linehaul Operates During Peak Season
Peak season is the time of year when contractors see additional package volume coming into the network, typically between the beginning of November and the end of December. FedEx has three incentives in place to encourage linehaul contractors to take on the additional volume while remaining profitable. These include peak mileage incentives, bonus points, and temporary run assignments.
How to Buy FedEx Routes for Sale
You can buy, operate, and sell the routes that move FedEx packages from one location to the next. FedEx routes have a long history of solid profit margins and FedEx as a company continues to outpace performance expectations. There’s much to love about this type of investment!
Distinguish Yourself as a Buyer
Just as you will evaluate a listing and a seller, a broker will be evaluating potential buyers. Does this investor understand what they want and how this investment works? Many investors are kicking the tires on FedEx Ground investments these days and brokers are inundated with basic inquiries. Once you establish yourself as an educated and serious investor, brokers will be more likely to reach out to you when a strong opportunity becomes available.
Are FedEx Ground Linehaul Runs a Good Investment?
As you look to buy a FedEx Ground linehaul operation, look for linehaul businesses with profit margins between 15-35% of revenue. This wide range depends on whether your linehaul runs are solo, team, or combination runs.
How Much Money Can You Make if You Buy FedEx Routes?
As you look to buy a FedEx route, look for P&D businesses with profit margins between 10-25% of revenue. These are healthy businesses! While a very profitable business, FedEx route businesses do not generate profit margins of 30% or more.
How to Find and Retain the Right Manager for Your FedEx Ground Business
When purchasing a FedEx Ground operation, you should always be prepared to have your manager give notice. Your manager will not be contractually obligated to you, so it is important to secure a window of support from the seller in case you lose your manager.
How to Retain Your Best FedEx Ground Drivers and Handle Driver Turnover
Difficult days on the job are part of every job. They can feel particularly stressful for your drivers. And they have options to go elsewhere if they are stressed too often. Be sure you have an atmosphere where team members feel respected and can be open with management about their concerns.
Should You Worry About Drones?
Drones are sexy. We get it. The idea of drone delivery feels like the future. As fun to think about as drone delivery is, it’s not a realistic mode of transportation for the type of packages FedEx Ground delivers
Tax Advantages and Implications for FedEx Ground Routes
You will often hear us (and others) note that FedEx route businesses are tax-friendly investments. What do we mean by that? These businesses include substantial numbers of vehicles that you are able to depreciate over time. The vehicle depreciation in FedEx route businesses allows you to offset the revenue stream from the business.
How to Get a New FedEx Ground Driver Approved
With an ever-increasing demand for transporting packages, drivers play a significant role in the overall success of your business. Without drivers, you are unable to meet the obligations of your contract for your Customer Service Area (CSA).