PRICE: $219,000 – WEEKLY SALES: $10,900
This listing is for a very high sales volume Snyder’s-Lance wholesale route in the Frederick, MD area with an asking price of $219,000. This route is currently averaging approximately $10,900 per week in sales volume and grosses approximately $1,800 in commissions. The distribution rights and protected territory are purchased through the current route owner and contracted through the product manufacturer, Snyder’s-Lance (Campbell’s Foods). The warehouse/depot facility for product pickup is located in the Frederick. Turnkey wholesale distribution route opportunity with consistent sales volume and support from a name brand food manufacturer. Full training will be provided.
WHAT ARE THE DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROUTE OWNER?
The route owner is responsible for servicing their customer base and ensuring that product is well stocked and maintained for the consumer. Route owners will order, deliver and stock product accordingly. Early morning hours are typically required…schedules can be flexible but deliveries are usually made sometime between 4am and 1pm. The route owner will work with company and store management teams to ensure that sales are being maximized and there are no service or inventory issues.
GROSS EARNINGS/COMMISSIONS
This route is currently averaging approximately $10,900 in weekly sales volume. The owner is paid a commission on their sales. The commission rate for this route is 16.8% which generates a weekly gross income of $1,800 on credit sales. The food manufacturer can verify sales volume information and commissions earned. Sales reports can be provided once we receive an NDA submission.
OPERATING COSTS
Typical expenses include fuel/gas, vehicle insurance, vehicle maintenance, commercial liability insurance (often added on to vehicle policy), route payment (depending on whether financing is used), and handheld/printer/warehouse expenses. The current owner estimates $300 per week in route operating expenses. Operating costs will vary from owner to owner depending on a wide variety of factors.
GROWTH POTENTIAL
Nearly every route has growth potential both within the current accounts or by adding new customers to the route. The route owner can work with grocery stores and company managers to maximize sales volume during promotions, acquire more space in the store, bring new items in, etc. New accounts such as independent grocery stores, restaurants, schools, hospitals and other accounts could potentially be added to the business as well. The company sales managers do provide support with these growth efforts.
FINANCING
The company and their banking partner will offer financing for 90-95% of the purchase price. Qualified buyers will need a minimum 5% down payment.
VEHICLE AND OTHER EQUIPMENT
The buyer will need a box truck or enclosed trailer to make deliveries. The current owner’s 14 foot 2016 box truck is available for purchase separately
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
One of the biggest responsibilities for route owners is inventory management. Route owners “purchase” product from the company and then resell it to their customers. They earn a designated commission which is added on to the cost that the store/customer pays for the product. The route owner does NOT pay for product upfront. Instead, the route owner is put on credit terms with the company and they balance your account on a weekly basis. For example, if you order $5,000 worth of product from the company in one week but also invoice $6,000 worth of sales to your stores, the company will issue a settlement check to you for the $1,000 difference. Returns/stale and damaged product are handled differently by each company but are generally covered and reimbursed for bread routes.
TRAINING
The current owner has agreed to provide full training to the buyer. In addition to training from the current route owner, the company will provide some assistance when possible and will always provide administrative/sales support. The manufacturer wants their route owners to be successful so you will have a solid support system behind you.
SCHEDULE
The current owner works approximately 40-45 hours per week. They make deliveries five days per week with Wednesday and Sunday generally as off days. Typical hours are 4am-1pm to ensure that deliveries are made during store receiving hours and the shelves are stocked in a timely fashion. The route owner simply needs to make sure that their customers are taken care of, inventory is being managed properly, and sales are being maximized.
Owning a route means that you are an independent owner/operator/contractor. You are ultimately responsible for the success of the route operation and you will need to find route coverage if you are sick or on vacation. Most route sellers and existing owners have a coverage person whose contact information they can share. Otherwise you are free to train someone to run your route while you are unavailable. It can require some effort and coordination to setup time off…but it does provide a lot of flexibility once you have a person or two that can cover your route operation when requested.
PURCHASING PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS
Route buyers will have an opportunity to meet with both the current route owner and the management team at the company. You will need company approval to purchase the route and they may ask for a simple business plan. Background and driving record checks may be necessary as well. Most companies are requiring that route owners are incorporated so that they are personally separated from the business. The incorporation process is relatively straightforward for most states and can typically be completed through your state’s secretary of state/business registration website.
REQUEST MORE INFORMATION
Our route blog is a fantastic place to find more information on the distribution route business. There are a wide variety of articles including overviews on different types of routes (bread, snack, vending, etc) and others that discuss general route operating topics.
If you are interested in acquiring more information on this route please submit our non-disclosure agreement here. Please note the route number or route location on your NDA submission so that we can send over the correct information.
If you have any other questions please feel free to contact us through this form or by email at Jay@TheRouteExchange.com