Unishippers Franchise Spotlight: Ryan Robertson & Cory Kindig

Ryan Robertson and Cory Kindig are longtime logistics and supply chain leaders who turned a trusted professional partnership into a growing operation. After working together for years in warehouse, fulfillment and medical device logistics, the two entrepreneurs launched their own fulfillment company — then expanded their vision by opening a Unishippers franchise under the name Raceday Freight, a nod to disciplined execution, preparation and their proximity to Indianapolis, home of the Indy 500.

For Ryan and Cory, franchising offered more than competitive rates and national scale. It also provided the structure, resources and support needed to grow while preserving an entrepreneurial culture.

Learn more about Ryan and Cory's journey and why they believe Unishippers is the right platform for building a scalable, people-first logistics franchise!

How did you and Cory meet? And what was your first logistics and supply chain endeavor together?

Ryan: Cory and I first worked together at a logistics company near Indianapolis focused on warehousing, fulfillment and some transportation services. I was VP of Operations, and Cory ran our Warsaw, Indiana facility — home to a major medical device hub — where we operated a dedicated medical device division. We worked closely for about five years.

I had long wanted to start my own business. After the company was acquired by a large international conglomerate and priorities shifted, Cory and I saw an opportunity. We left on good terms, brought one strong customer with us and launched our own warehousing and fulfillment company.

Then you decided to start a Unishippers Franchise. How and when did that happen?

Ryan: We started the fulfillment company in late 2023, and early on we were looking for a strong shipping solution for our customers. I was familiar with other logistics franchises, but when I discovered Unishippers, it immediately felt like a great fit. Initially, it allowed us to support our warehouse customers by reselling shipping services, but we quickly realized the growth opportunity.

The parcel component was huge for us. As a startup, we had no leverage to negotiate strong rates with parcel carriers or even LTL carriers. Traditionally, customers either bring their own rates to a 3PL or expect the 3PL to provide them. But as a new company, that's hard to do.

Unishippers solved our rate challenge. It gave us competitive rates immediately and opened up an entirely new avenue for growth.

What drew you to logistics and supply chain as a career focus?

Ryan: I started my career in consumer goods manufacturing. Over 20 to 25 years, supply chain needs became more complex — especially as e-commerce grew and companies shifted toward direct-to-consumer models. Offshoring also forced deeper involvement in purchasing, planning and production planning.

Over time, my career naturally moved into logistics and supply chain. I loved that side of the business, particularly the problem-solving aspect. I'm an operations and data-driven person, so I enjoy digging into the details. That eventually led me to a supply chain position at a Fortune 500 company and later to the company where Cory and I met.

Cory: I'd echo what Ryan said. I enjoy problem-solving. And growing up in the medical device hub of Warsaw, Indiana, supply chain challenges are always front and center. Moving products in and out efficiently is critical, especially when you're dealing with medical parts that directly impact people's lives. For me, logistics and supply chain is a way to solve problems and, indirectly, help improve lives.

Ryan: I'd also add that logistics continues to grow as an industry. Manufacturing has declined in some areas, though it may be coming back, but logistics has been consistently expanding. It's a good space to be in.

So now, as franchise owners, what kind of support do you receive from the Unishippers Franchise Program?

Cory: The support is very hands-on. The team is always available to answer questions and provide support, especially when working with customers or making introductions. That level of accessibility has helped us tremendously. We never feel like we're on our own — we always have support when we need it.

So, how would you describe the culture at Unishippers?

Ryan: The company culture is very growth oriented and sales is the major focus. But what stands out is how supportive the franchise community is. Most franchise owners are focused on growing their own businesses, but they're also willing to share advice and help each other.

That was something I noticed early on. People like Rich Pyle and Ted Arnoldus were incredibly helpful before Cory and I even bought the franchise. They played a big role in convincing us to move forward. Unishippers maintains a strong entrepreneurial spirit, even as part of WWEX Group and the corporate side. There's a bit of healthy tension between structure and entrepreneurship, and I actually like that balance.

As partners, you run two businesses. That's a lot to handle. How does Unishippers support work-life balance?

Cory: Right now, it's in the middle of the afternoon, and I'm picking up my kids, which probably says it all. That flexibility has been huge for our family. We work harder than we ever did in corporate roles, but it's far more rewarding. Being able to work around family life — especially with three young kids and a working spouse — has made a big difference.

Ryan: I agree. We don't work less, but we love what we do, and being our own bosses matters. Having two owners also helps, particularly with two companies. We cover for each other well. We're operations-focused by nature, and Unishippers' training helped us become more sales-driven, which was critical.

What's the true reward of leaving your W-2 and owning a Unishippers franchise?

Cory: It was stressful at first. We were both at strong points in our careers, and it was a real risk. Over time, that stress has turned into satisfaction, and we're hopeful the rewards will continue to grow. I mean, in the end, our efforts directly correlate to results. The more you put in, the more you get out of it. You're in control of your own destiny. No one else dictates your performance or reward — that's the biggest payoff.

Ryan: I'd add that the business is a direct reflection of us. We're accountable for it, and we get to shape it. We enjoy working closely with customers and being hands-on, something that's often harder in large corporate environments. We also get to take the best parts of our past employment experiences and fix the things we didn't like and make it our own. That's incredibly rewarding.

Have you participated in Unishippers training? What was it like?

Ryan: Both of us have attended sales and owner training, and it was fantastic, especially since Cory and I come from operations backgrounds. We knew how to talk to business owners, but we didn't have a structured sales process. The training laid that out clearly and the system works if you follow it. When we've strayed from it, results suffered. When we've returned to it, it worked extremely well. So, we're big believers in the Unishippers proven playbook of success.

How big is your team today?

Cory: We have one full-time sales rep who acts as our sales lead or sales manager, plus a part-time rep who helps seasonally. Ryan and I are also actively involved in sales. So right now, we're at about one-and-a-half sales reps.

What does that allow you to focus on?

Cory: It frees us up to focus on account management and relationships while our sales reps handle cold calling, prospecting and researching potential clients. That research process takes time, and it's been helpful to delegate that work.

Ryan: Cory and I typically handle closing deals and building relationships. Our sales lead focuses on making sure the customers are happy and getting their feedback. And our seasonal team member is a teacher during the rest of the year, and we love that he comes to work for us.

What are your growth plans for the future?

Ryan: We plan to add a few more sales reps, but we're growing conservatively. Some franchises grow very large, but that's not necessarily our goal. We like the flexibility the franchise model offers. Our five-year vision is likely somewhere between five and ten reps. If someone on our team eventually wants to start their own franchise, we'd love to support that.

Cory: Creating our own culture has always been a priority. Finding sales reps who align with us personally and professionally is critical to building the kind of team we want. That's one of the reasons we're growing at a deliberate pace — we want to make sure each new team member is the right fit for the culture we're creating.

What would you say to someone on the fence about becoming a Unishippers franchise owner?

Ryan: The resources make all the difference — training, purchasing power, national carrier networks across multiple modes and technology. Being able to outsource things like customer service to Unishippers early on was invaluable.

Even as logistics and supply chain professionals, Cory and I weren't experts in every mode. Those kinds of resources are a huge reason to choose this franchise.

Cory: The customer base is endless. Everyone ships something, and everyone needs a solution. You're not limited to a narrow niche — you can choose what you want to pursue, and there's always opportunity.

Interested in a career in logistics sales? Reach out to Unishippers today!

Whether you're exploring logistics sales jobs, looking to build a team or curious about the Unishippers logistics franchise opportunity, we're here to help. Unishippers offers the tools, support and roadmap to help you build the business of your dreams.

Let's talk about what your future in logistics sales could look like. Contact us today to learn more about our industry-leading franchise opportunity!