THE VENDOR DANCE (TERRITORY ROUTING)

About this episode

Mike Hernandez discusses the importance of vendor accountability and effective territory routing for district managers.

Show Notes (Drive Version) Episode Title: The Vendor Dance: Territory Routing (Episode 78) Episode Description: You hold the vendor accountable for their schedule. In this episode of Drive, Mike Hernandez explains how District Managers audit vendor delivery times and escalate issues to regional management. What You Will Learn: The Route Audit: How to document late deliveries and track out-of-stock items. Vendor Accountability: Why District Managers must bypass the driver and communicate directly with vendor representatives. Route Optimization: How to demand early delivery windows for your highest-volume stores. Seeing Opportunity: Mike shares his early career mindset regarding store ownership. Resources & Links: Download the Territory Route Scorecard: Text the word ROUTE to 956-897-9192. Recommended Listen: Arrive: Episode 88.

People in this episode

Guest: Mike Hernandez

Topics covered

• vendor accountability
• territory routing
• route optimization
• delivery audits
• district management

Keywords

• vendor delivery
• route audit
• out-of-stock items
• early delivery windows
• store ownership

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: C-Store Center

More episodes of Drive: Multi-Unit Excellence for C-Store District Managers

• INVENTORY AVAILABILITY (AUDITING TERRITORY INVENTORY DATA) · June 6, 2026 · 6 min
• FOOD SERVICE EXECUTION (AUDITING TERRITORY FOOD COMPLIANCE) · May 30, 2026 · 6 min
• EXTERIOR FACILITY MANAGEMENT (AUDITING THE TERRITORY EXTERIOR) · May 23, 2026 · 6 min
• THE OPERATIONAL INSPECTION (CALIBRATING THE TERRITORY BASELINE) · May 16, 2026 · 6 min
• INVENTORY DISCREPANCIES (ENFORCING TERRITORY ACCOUNTABILITY) · May 9, 2026 · 6 min
• THE OPERATIONAL UPSELL (AUDITING THE TERRITORY STANDARD) · May 1, 2026 · 6 min