How do I prepare my food distributor’s delivery driver roster for a buyer?

Buyers of distribution businesses often worry first about the people on the trucks. Build a one-page roster: each driver, regular route, vehicles they use, years with you, and whether they are employees or contractors. Add the licence class and any training each person holds, and how current those records are. Your lawyer can advise how to describe those arrangements.

Then show how the routes work. Which customers see the same face each week? Which drivers also take orders or solve problems at the door? Where a driver is the relationship, say so, and explain what you have done to share it with the office. Note who covers holidays and sick days, and how often casual or temporary drivers are used.

Be careful with timing. Drivers who hear about a sale from a rumour may start looking elsewhere. Agree with the buyer when and how they are told, and what you can say about pay, routes and job security. Consider asking the buyer to meet the lead drivers before closing. Your accountant can help describe payroll costs fairly. Ask drivers’ managers how overtime and delivery changes are handled, so the buyer sees the true schedule.

Key takeaways

• Make a one-page roster with route, tenure, vehicle, licence and pay arrangement for each driver.
• Say where a driver holds the customer relationship, and how you have shared it.
• Agree with the buyer when and how drivers are told about the sale.