Get a Quote
  • Case Studies

How OpenRoad Helped a Beloved Entertainment Brand Transform Their Logistics Operations with Managed Transportation Solutions

The Challenge

Retail and entertainment supply chains are uniquely complex. With a mix of imported goods, seasonal inventory demands, and multi-location distribution, organizations in this space require more than just transportation—they need coordination, visibility, and control. Whether stocking merchandise for in-venue sales or ensuring critical operational supplies arrive on time, logistics can directly influence the guest experience and the bottom line.

One North American entertainment brand—operating themed venues across the U.S. and Canada—faced growing challenges in managing inbound freight, internal transfers, and overall cost efficiency. With most of their specialty inventory sourced from overseas and funneled through a U.S.-based distribution hub, the logistics team needed greater structure and transparency across their network.

To streamline operations and build a foundation for future growth, the company partnered with OpenRoad Global to bring consistency, visibility, and strategy to their supply chain.

The Challenge: Bringing a Legendary Experience to Life—On Time, Every Time

Prior to partnering with OpenRoad, the company managed its transportation through a network of vendors and regional carriers, with minimal standardization. Despite their internal team’s best efforts, the logistics program was burdened by:

  • Inconsistent routing and vendor compliance
  • Lack of real-time visibility into shipments
  • Reactive issue management across locations
  • High variability in carrier performance and cost

With inventory moving inbound from Europe and distributed to 10 locations across North America, even small inefficiencies added up. The company needed a logistics partner who could help reduce cost, improve performance, and make shipping operations more predictable and scalable.

The Solution

OpenRoad began the relationship with a comprehensive analysis of the company’s logistics program. From the start, our focus was on designing a logistics solution that aligned with their operational complexity and brand standards. By identifying early cost and service level improvements, we earned trust and gradually took on a larger role in their supply chain strategy.

Since then, the partnership has evolved into a fully managed transportation solution that includes:

  1. Inbound Freight Management
    • Designed and implemented a full routing guide for all vendors, streamlining inbound freight processes and ensuring consistent routing and carrier selection.
    • Centralized coordination of ocean imports, drayage, and LTL to a U.S.-based distribution center.
  2. Carrier Optimization
    • Transitioned the company to Tier 1 carriers (FedEx Freight and R+L Carriers), resulting in improved transit times and fewer delays—without increasing freight spend.
    • Standardized mode selection and routing for location transfers and venue openings, utilizing LTL and truckload services as needed.
  3. Enhanced Shipment Visibility
    • Developed a custom visibility platform to provide real-time updates across all shipments.
    • Built automated tools to share inbound shipment information directly with each location, improving on-site coordination and reducing missed or unplanned deliveries.
  4. Dedicated Logistics Support Team
    • Assigned a dedicated operations team to manage the account proactively—tracking shipments, solving issues before they escalate, and collaborating directly with the customer’s internal stakeholders.

Highlight: Resilience During COVID Uncertainty

When parts of the entertainment industry paused in early 2020, OpenRoad’s strategic support became even more critical. With some locations temporarily closed, the challenge became how to preserve inventory value while ensuring operational continuity where possible.

Rather than let product sit idle, OpenRoad worked with the company to reallocate goods between locations, moving inventory from dormant locations to open ones. These agile, cost-conscious moves helped the company avoid unnecessary reordering and storage fees while continuing to serve customers at a high level where operations were still running.

Key Facts

  • Industry

    Retail and Entertainment

  • Solutions Leveraged

    Truckload, LTL, Ocean, Drayage

Results

Through its partnership with OpenRoad, the company has transformed logistics from a reactive pain point into a reliable operational advantage.

Year-over-year, the results speak for themselves:

  • 8–10% reduction in freight costs each year through routing optimization and better carrier management.
  • Significant improvements in transit times and fewer delays after transitioning to Tier 1 carriers—without any cost increase.
  • 1,727 shipments managed in 2024, averaging 144 shipments per month with full visibility and proactive support.
  • Efficient inter-location inventory transfers allowed the company to balance stock, reduce unnecessary shipments, and cut operational waste.
  • Custom tools and routing standards improved vendor compliance and made location-level planning more predictable.

Interested in Logistics That Work as Hard as You Do?

If your business is looking for a logistics partner that blends strategic insight with hands-on execution, OpenRoad Global can help. Whether you’re managing imports, multi-location distribution, or complex inventory moves, we specialize in bringing order to complexity—with results that speak for themselves.

Hear from our Customer

We've partnered with OpenRoad for several years, and they've consistently delivered outstanding service and support. It's easy to praise a logistics provider when things are going smoothly, but the true measure is how they respond when challenges arise. OpenRoad has continually proven themselves to be a reliable, resourceful, and solutions-oriented partner. They're the kind of team you want by your side when the unexpected happens.

Vice President of Merchandising

Explore more case studies

How an Electronics Manufacturer Streamlined Logistics with OpenRoad

A global leader in precision test equipment manufacturing was embarking on an ambitious new production initiative that required the movement of several million dollars’ worth ...
Learn More

We deliver logistics solutions that drive real results. Ready to unlock yours?

Ship with Us
Haul with Us