Industry Insights with Route Consultant

Recorded live at the 2026 Route Consultant Expo, this special episode of Industry Insights features Amy Byers, COO of Slicker Trucking, sharing practical guidance on negotiating and renegotiating FedEx P&D contracts.  Amy explains when to initiate renegotiation, why being in good standing matters, and how to build a credible case using FedEx’s key metric, stops per resource, rather than focusi...

In this episode of Industry Insights LIVE, we’re joined by Alex Frum, owner of Alpha Kilo Logistics, to discuss how FedEx linehaul contractors should prepare for peak season. They explain the typical peak timeframe, how linehaul differs from P&D in required volume, and why communication with FedEx and disciplined planning matter. Alex shares how he evaluates flex-ups, temp runs, and Schedule J...

Recorded live at the 2026 Route Consultant Expo, this special Industry Insights episode features Alex Frum, owner of Alpha Kilo Logistics, on scaling a FedEx linehaul business from operator to true business owner. Alex outlines the core pillars for sustainable growth, safety, financial discipline, service, and availability, emphasizing that safety and compliance can make or break a contractor.  He...

Recorded live at the 2026 Route Consultant Expo, this special episode of Industry Insights features Butch Butler hosting a FedEx-focused Q&A with experienced linehaul contractors Steve Crawford, Randy Kurek, Alex Frum, and Jen Parrish. The panel shares practical guidance on building profitability through unassigned rotations, earning points toward dedicated routes, and the operational habits t...

Recorded live at the 2026 Route Consultant Expo, this special episode of Industry Insights features FedEx P&D contractors Dave and Amy Byers of Slicker Trucking, sharing why the old P&D playbook no longer works and how contractors can adapt to evolving FedEx expectations, package pressure, and workforce realities.  They explain how increased compliance, transparency, and service metrics re...

In this episode of Industry Insights LIVE, host Josh Gregory from Route Consultant is joined by guest Amy Byers, COO of Slicker Trucking, to share practical guidance for preparing for peak season 2026. Amy recaps recent contract redraws, route growth, a major terminal move, and upcoming FedEx 2.0 integration changes happening in late September, then explains how those shifts impact staffing, fleet...

Safety isn’t just another metric in a FedEx operation. It can determine whether you’re able to grow, win new business, or keep your contract at all. Recorded live at the 2026 Route Consultant Expo, this episode of Industry Insights features Alex Frum breaking down the safety and compliance systems every FedEx contractor needs to understand. From SRI scores and CSA violations to MEDALS rankings, KI...

Could switching part of your fleet to electric actually improve your margins? Recorded live at the 2026 Route Consultant Expo, this episode of Industry Insights features a fireside chat between Thomas Wasson of FreightWaves and Fred de Perez, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Harbinger Motors, exploring the economics of medium-duty electric vehicles. They break down where EVs can mak...

Major changes are coming to the trucking industry in 2027. Is your fleet ready? Recorded live at the 2026 Route Consultant Expo, this episode of Industry Insights explores how FedEx contractors and fleet owners can prepare for new EPA emissions requirements, potential truck price increases, tightening supply, and a changing used-truck market. Pat McKay of Rolling Equity Leasing joins Alex Frum to...

In this episode of Industry Insights, Josh Gregory sits down with Lance Mize, CPA, to discuss how successful business owners approach taxes as an ongoing strategy, not a last-minute scramble. From choosing the right business entity to working with your CPA throughout the year, Lance explains how proactive tax planning can help reduce surprises, improve cash flow, and position your business for lon...

In this episode of Industry Insights, Josh Gregory sits down with Leland Mize, CFO of Patton Logistics, to discuss how successful business owners build, manage, and adjust budgets that drive better decisions and long-term growth. Whether you're buying your first route business or managing an established operation, you'll learn how to create a practical budget, identify costly problems be...

Thinking about buying or selling a business? Before you agree on a price, you need to understand what the business is actually worth. In this episode of Industry Insights , Route Consultant's Production & Compliance Director, Leah Neilson, breaks down the business valuation process from start to finish. Learn how EBITDA, multiples, fleet condition, management structure, financing, and ope...

In this episode of Industry Insights Live, Josh Gregory is joined by Leah Nelson to share key 2026 benchmarks and trends in the FedEx contractor market, including pricing multiples, asking prices, margins, and how deal sizes have changed since 2021.  They explain why P&D businesses have grown in revenue, route count, and valuation while linehaul listings have fallen, and they highlight how clo...

Whether you're considering buying your first vending machine or looking to grow an existing operation, understanding what makes a vending business successful is key. In this episode of Industry Insights, Josh Gregory sits down with Steve Caldwell and Stephanie Paha to break down what it really takes to build a profitable vending business. From finding the right locations and managing inventor...

Host Josh Gregory interviews Bryan Duhl and Fernando “Nando” Martinez of Phoenix Aviation Solutions about applying special operations aviation logistics to civilian business. They describe their Army backgrounds at Fort Campbell, the unseen planning and coordination behind mission success, and how that translates into aviation logistics, contracted pilot solutions, and risk management for ultra-hi...

Recorded live at the Route Consultant Expo 2026, Josh Gregory interviews security industry veteran Andy Willis on why private security is a growing investment opportunity. Willis explains the security space (guards, technology, threat detection) and argues demand is rising as municipalities struggle to recruit and retain police, pushing more non-emergency and even patrol functions to private firms...

On Industry Insights with Route Consultant, host Josh Gregory interviews Grace Bay, CEO of Hello Truck Lease, about Ford discontinuing the F-59 chassis with no new production after 2027 and what that means for FedEx Ground contractors who rely on Ford-based step vans. Grace explains what the F-59 is, why the change affects new purchases, parts availability, and long-term maintenance costs, and why...

Route Consultant’s Josh Gregory and guest Amy Byers (COO of Slicker Trucking) host an Industry Insights Live webinar where they give an update on FedEx Express/2.0 changes affecting five P&D contracts, describing territory and stop shifts, truck up-sizing, staffing, and a building move, plus coordinating with co-contractors while designing their own operating plans. They discuss ongoing workfo...

On Industry Insights with Route Consultant, Josh interviews Michael Jones and Jeff Jones of RouteWay 360 about insurance in bread and snack distribution and why many owners misunderstand their coverage until a claim happens. They break down RouteWay 360’s platform for distributors, including incorporation, banking, accounting and tax support, and their new “Drive My Route” app for finding route re...

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 pi...

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 pre...

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 b...

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, shif...

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 im...

This week on Industry Insights with Route Consultant, we focus on business exits and how to prepare long before a sale to maximize value and make the business transferable. Josh is joined by Steve Alverson and Austin Coley of McCall Wealth Advisors, who explain how they help owners plan through and beyond a sale by first clarifying personal goals and the “why” behind the business. They discuss why...