Foodservice Delivery Driver - Any Advice?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Lucky12, Nov 7, 2021.

  1. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

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    Started semi driving w food service in 1975.
    L&L distribution.
    Working D.Q and Taco John in a 5 state midwest route.
    Started as trainee/helper w a younger cat cause his dad was a truck driver and he'd been on the road with him.
    PIA back then cause everything went into a basement via a board we slid it down then went in and stacked and rotated the stock.
    Hard work but I learned on a COE with a C 290 and a 13sp.
    Both the stores and equipment are better and more user friendly but I imagine they make it up w the driver doing more.
    If you want it go for it. Ain't like there won't be anything else available if you bail because it's not the career you thought it might be.
     
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  3. Cuse1986

    Cuse1986 Bobtail Member

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    Food service is extremely difficult did 10 years started at 25 before I could switch over to transit pulling doubles or singles for drop yards or distribution center exchanges. Most I ever made on chain was 120,000 and that was a 4 day route one trailer then a single day that was only 8 hours. The longer you’re with the company the better the routes you’ll get. I always went with layovers and longer driving routes compared to single day/night routes 5 single day routes will tear up your body extremely fast your looking at 30,000 pounds a night compared to possibly 30,000 pounds for 2 or 3 nights on a layover so work smart in food service it’s not always about the money. But if you’re young I definitely would look into it you’ll easily make 80k you’re first year be home a lot actually have a personal life have great benefits most food service companies offer profit sharing huge incentive I’ve made 10,000 plenty of times rolls right into your 401k. But food service is no joke you’ll work yourself to death be sure to say no to extra work and choose the easier routes don’t chase the money or you’ll food service career will be short lived.
     
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  4. rpad139

    rpad139 Heavy Load Member

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    I dont like the hiring process for foodservice companies. They are hard core and have to follow a long process to get hired.

    Once you become a local, foodservice driver there is no return to the otr trucking world. More options as a otr driver
     
  5. Slim51

    Slim51 Light Load Member

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    what gives you that idea? I didn’t drive at all for two years and could’ve had a job with a really nice, small reputable local OTR company. Fleet of Coronado gliders, flexible hometime, avg $1800/wk….

    Instead I chose the job working 4 days a week making similar or more money, and seeing my family every day. I find it comical that people think in this climate, an OTR company wouldn’t hire a previously local driver. Like your idea that going local is somehow sealing your fate against any future OTR job.
     
  6. striker

    striker Road Train Member

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    Denver, Co
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    When I first got into trucking, my second job was delivering for Mile Hi Frozen Foods (McDonald's). Every route and store was different, not every store was designed with delivery from a semi in mind, and 99%of the store customers are even more clueless when they see a semi in the parking lot delivering. Most stores, product was split between frozen, refrig/dry with a barrier between the two sections, it was palletized and you hand tossed everything down a set of rollers that you set up into the store. Some stores use palletized/e-jack for unloading, a few stores used carts. If you deal with winter conditions, it can be a PITA to unload.

    Yeah, and your body gets abused, I only did it for 4 months, some how I injured my right shoulder on a delivery, never did figure it out, 24 yrs later, despite workers comp. and rehab, it still acts up, one of the reasons I'm glad I have an automatic, if I was driving a stick the last 24 yrs, I would have left the industry.

    Also, something to consider, depending on who and where you deliver, some restaurants only want you to stack in the middle of the cooler, assuming they keep it clear, others expect you to shelve the product and rotate it for them.
     
  7. Dockbumper

    Dockbumper Road Train Member

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    Uh oh........NOW YOU DID IT!!! Every Clutch Jammin' Gear Slammin' Supertrucker is going to show up and treat you like you are Donald Trump!!!!! REAL TRUCKERS DON'T DRIVE AUTOMATICS!!! You should have quit driving 24 years ago!!! Lol:rolleyes::cool:
     
  8. PR/GFS/MB Lifer

    PR/GFS/MB Lifer Bobtail Member

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    Look in to Martin Brower. I've been at Whitewater Wi for 21 years now and it's all pallet and lift gate delivery. Im 53 yrs old and have no problems i have a 5 day bid and usually take extra work if it's gravy and i have the hr's left.
     
  9. striker

    striker Road Train Member

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    Denver, Co
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    And 90% of those who will make those comments, the closest they've ever come to driving an auto is what their cousins sisters best friends Uncles, codriver's Aunt overheard at the lunch counter
     
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