Category: Routes for Sale Blog

Benefits of Owning a Route Business

Benefits of Owning a Route Businessthe route exchange

Owning a route business can be an extremely fulfilling profession.  This article will go over several benefits to owning a route business and why it might be the right (or wrong) business for you.

  • Decide Your Income
    • No matter what type of route you have your income is going to depend entirely on how much you sell.  Motivated route owners can add new accounts, new products, secure more display space, provide other services, etc.  The potential in the route business is undeniable.
  • Decide Your Schedule
    • Most routes will have very flexible schedules.  The only real restriction is that you need to service your accounts while they are open and accepting deliveries.
    • Taking time off is as easy as finding someone to service your route.  I knew several individuals that would take multiple weeks off and pay someone else to run their route.  As long as the job is getting done you are free to hire coverage when you need time off.
  • Pick Your Company and Products
    • There are a wide variety of routes out there and there are differences between them all.  Bread, snack, vending, ATM, pool, landscaping, etc.  They all offer their own advantages and disadvantages.  If you know what you are looking for then there is a route opportunity for everyone.
  • Work for Yourself
    • As noted above, you will have a lot of freedom to decide your income and schedule.  Many routes will have company sales support in the form of district or regional managers.  They assist with the sales process and can work hand-in-hand with the route owner to build a successful business.  Otherwise, the route owner has tremendous control over how their business operates.
  • It’s a Simple Business Model
    • Route owners typically don’t deal with extremely variable costs, schedules or workloads.  You choose how large you want to grow the business.  The business management tasks, such as accounting, are fairly easy to handle due to the straightforward nature of the route business

 

Bimbo Route Overview

Bimbo Route Overview

bimbo route for sale

 

 

 

These Bimbo route opportunities allow the owner to operate a wholesale distribution business that sells Bimbo products.  Bimbo bakeries owns a number of brands including Entenmann’s, Sara Lee, Brownberry, Arnold, Oroweat, Thomas’, Beefsteak, Boboli, Freihofer’s and many others.  These bakery products are incredibly popular and give the route owner a wide variety of products to sell to their customers.

The owner of the route is responsible for delivering product to the stores in their protected territory.  Bimbo routes often present great growth and expansion opportunities due to the variety of products available.  Customers could include grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, schools, gas stations and similar businesses.  Growth can be achieved by adding new locations or by growing sales within current accounts.  Sales volume at stores can be increased by securing promotional displays, pushing sales items and utilizing other sales tactics.

Bimbo route owners work a variety of hours.  A typical schedule is 5am-2pm with Wednesday and Sunday off.  Some owners start earlier and others may start later.  Commissions can vary depending on the brand/product but typically are between 15-25%.  Bimbo will often provide company financing once they complete a credit check on the buyer.

If you have any questions on Bimbo or other route opportunities please contact us today.

Route Sales Process

Explaining the Route Sales Process

route sales the route exchange

Many individuals that are interested in route businesses do not have a good understanding of the route sales process.  The purpose of this article is to outline that process and provide a quick overview of how you can buy or sell a route.  This outline may not apply perfectly to each and every route but should present a good understanding of the purchasing process.

  1. A seller will decide to sell their route and begin searching for buyers
    1. Sellers can do this on their own or by working with an organization like The Route Exchange. The key is to find qualified buyers who understand the business and have the ability to purchase the route from a financial standpoint
  2. Buyers typically find route opportunities through internet listings/advertising or word of mouth
    1. For example, The Route Exchange specializes in generating interest across the internet.  This is accomplished through online route listings, advertising through business sales websites/search engines, and other sources
  3. The buyer contacts the sales agent or the seller of the route business
    1. The seller answers questions and provides general information on the route including territory, equipment and sales information
  4. The buyer and seller can setup a meeting or “ride along” on their route
    1. Third party services may require non-disclosure agreements and proof of funding before this can be arranged. This protects both the buyer and seller…the buyer will receive quick answer and responses from the seller because they have confidence that the buyer is serious
    2. Without a third party the seller will need to determine if they think the buyer is serious and qualified
  5. If an offer is made and accepted, many routes will require the buyer to meet with district/regional managers from the company (Pepperidge Farm, Mission, Bimbo, Arnold, Utz, Snyder’s-Lance, etc.)
    1. This meeting serves two purposes.  First, it allows the buyer to confirm the information they have been provided by the seller.  Second, it gives the company a chance to sit down with the buyer and make sure they will be a good fit for the route
  6. Closing documents will be drawn up by the seller or the company itself
    1. If the company is providing financing then the loan will need to be approved before the closing takes place
    2. The purchase agreement will outline any assets being sold and define the territory or specific route locations that are included
  7. A closing date is established and the sale finalized
    1. Any remaining balance for the route will be due at the closing. Both parties will sign off on the terms of the sale

If you have any questions on the route sales process please contact us at any time. Thank you.

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