Tallgrass has always believed in rewarding our agents generously — and we mean that literally. Club 250, Diamond Club, and Elite Circle have celebrated our agents’ biggest wins for years, treating them to gourmet dinners and once-in-a-lifetime trips across the globe.
The only problem? Our ambitious, entrepreneurial freight agents don’t stay put for long. They keep raising the bar. With a record number of agents hitting Elite Circle, it was time to not only celebrate them, but to invest in the future of their freight businesses. So we’re raising ours right along with them. Say hello to Crown and Platinum, our two newest award levels!
Why We Built Something New
When we introduced our first rewards nearly a decade ago, our goal was simple: get as many agents as possible to the $200,000 in gross margin level and go celebrate. But because our agents are the most ambitious in the business, we knew their limitless potential.
As our agents kept pushing the barrier of what’s possible, we continued to level up our rewards tiers. We introduced Diamond Club in 2020 and Elite Circle in 2021, and now we’re pleased to offer our agents the highest standard of investment with Crown and Platinum.
“It’s all because of our agents and what they’ve been able to accomplish,” says Tallgrass President Sean Richardson. “They’re blowing past expectations fast and showing what kind of numbers are achievable when you’re motivated, entrepreneurial, and aligned with a program like Tallgrass.”
What Crown and Platinum Are All About
Crown and Platinum look at growth a little differently. They’re about supporting growth by helping agencies invest in the people, resources and opportunities that will take their business to the next level. For many agents, that means bringing on the right people and building their teams. For others, it may mean strengthening their existing operation in ways that support long-term growth. The goal is transformational: give successful agents the flexibility and support they need to keep building.
The agents hitting these numbers aren’t standing still. They’re actively growing and working their business plans. They’re reaching the point where they need more hands to support the freight they already have, plus what’s coming down the line as well. And hiring, as any business owner knows, is one of the most stressful parts of scaling. It’s risky, it’s time-consuming, and a bad fit can easily set your agency back.
“We want to take that burden off your shoulders,” Richardson shares. “Let us help you make the right investments for your business, and take some of the financial pressure out of the equation while you focus on what’s next.”
Crown ($2.5 million+ in annual margin)
At this tier, agents have laid a strong foundation, and Tallgrass is proud to support what comes next. Crown-level agents who reach this margin milestone unlock additional backing for their agency.
When you reach $2.5 million or more in annual margin, Tallgrass will make a strategic financial investment in your growth, with a focused effort to strengthen your operations and drive business results over the next 90 days. So you can focus on building sustainably and moving forward with confidence.
Platinum ($5 million+ in annual margin)
When you’re a Platinum-level agent, you’ve reached the top tier of performance. Your growth speaks for itself. You’ve proven what’s possible. As a Platinum‐level agent achieving $5 million or more in annual margin, you’ve reached a top tier of performance.
Tallgrass is reinforcing that success by doubling down on our investment in your growth, committing additional financial resources and strategic support to accelerate operational excellence and deliver transformational business value over the next 180 days. We’re providing the support needed to scale effectively, enhance execution and amplify your next phase of growth.
Why We Chose to Invest Here
Agents who reach Crown or Platinum status are doing something that the vast majority of freight brokers in the industry never will. It shows the systems and support behind them are working, and it shows just what’s possible when talented, driven people are given the right environment to grow.
Tallgrass chose this stage to step in with more support because the right investment can completely change what your business can do next. For many agents, that investment starts with bringing on the right person. Sean has seen how the right hire can add 30-40% to an agency’s output, mostly because it frees up the agent to do what they do best, like chasing new opportunities and getting face time with the people who matter most to their book of business. It’s not just about production either. The right person brings in the right attitude, earns the team’s trust, and represents the agency well, and that matters just as much as the numbers they help drive.
It also gives agents something that’s easy to overlook — time. Time to think three years ahead instead of three weeks ahead. Time for more customer visits. Time to actually take a breath. Tallgrass covers payroll during that first stretch so agents aren’t carrying that financial risk while they figure out who’s the right fit. That’s the whole point. Find the right person, and let Tallgrass handle the rest.
A Partnership That Grows With You
Crown and Platinum reflect how Tallgrass thinks about partnership as a whole. Support doesn’t look the same for every agent out there, but it’s not supposed to. Some agents need a sounding board, while others just need someone to call when things get complicated.
“We’re here to provide agents with the most amount of support we can give, whether it’s emotional support, technology, or capital,” Richardson says. “We’re willing to be as hands-on or hands-off as an agent needs at any point in time. If you need to have a difficult conversation with a customer and want us to hop on the call, we’ll be there. This is truly a partnership, and we’re here to give you the best shot possible at building a thriving agency for years to come.”
Ready to see what your growth could look like at Tallgrass? Start a conversation with us today to learn more about what we could achieve together.
Incentive programs are subject to change at any time. Tallgrass Freight Co. and its leadership reserves the right to modify program terms, eligibility requirements, reward values, spending limits and other conditions at its discretion. Participation in any incentive program is subject to the current program guidelines in effect at the time rewards are earned or redeemed, and reward programs do not represent a guarantee.