The Central Tradition, almost as old as the trucking industry itself, is a simple one. First, find energetic and dependable people. In many cases, they're the same outstanding employees and upper management your business has been depending on for many years. That kind of long-term employee is commonplace at Central. We have been making your pickups and deliveries and providing millions of miles of accident-free service for over 83 years.

1925	Central Freight Lines is founded in Waco, Texas. W.W. Woody Callan Sr. buys a Model T and drives from Waco to Dallas to pick up some goods for a Waco merchant, thus starting Central Forwarding and Warehouse company
1927	Central incorporated and instituted regular routes between Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin
1929	The Texas Legislature establishes intrastate trucking regulations and the Railroad Commission of Texas. W.W. Callan has to separate Central Forwardings household goods moving business, which became known as; Central Forwarding, Inc., from the companys general freight transportation known as Central Freight Lines, Inc.
1932	Central opens its first company-owned facility, the terminal and general office on 13th Street in Waco
1938	Central Freight Lines Dallas Facility becomes the largest freight facility in the world.
1940	Central Federal Credit Union officially opens its doors.
1950s	Central is the first carrier in the country to install an under-the-floor towveyor chain system in a terminal
1952	R. H. Linam becomes Central's second president. An employee stock purchase plan is established.
1978	Central becomes the first motor carrier to be honored with the Materials Handling Leadership Award from the Society of Packing and Handling Enterprise
1979	Woody Callan, Jr., becomes Central's third president.
1979	Central ranks 33rd on list of Top 100 Class 1 carriers
1984	Central purchases Curry Motor Freight and Perry Motor Freight.
1984	Central receives the 1984 American Trucking Association Presidents Trophy.
1986	Central employees honor Woody Callan, Sr. with a specially-designed 48-foot trailer.
1987	W. W. Woody Callan Sr .Chairman of the Board - passes away.
1990	Tom Clowe joins Central as executive vice president and chief operating officer.
1991	Central receives 48-state interstate operating authority and expands into Oklahoma.
1992	Central expands to Arkansas, New Mexico, and Tennessee. Tom Clowe is named Central's fourth president. In October, Woody, Jr. and Diana Braswell retire, selling their stock to the Employees Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan making Central truly an employee owned company. On November 23, Roadway Services, Inc. and Central reach an agreement in principle for Central to be purchased by Roadway.
1993	On March 27, employee-owners and direct shareholders of Central approve the purchase of the company by Roadway Services, Inc. On April 11, Central officially becomes a part of Roadway and joins the Roadway Regional Group. Central begins service in Louisiana.
1994	Central expands into Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri. Later, Central expands into Illinois and Mississippi.
1995	On January 1, federal legislation deregulates intrastate common carrier trucking nationwide. Central is named the 199495 Regional LTL Carrier of the Year by NASSTRAC, a national shipper organization and traffic management industry trade publication. Joe Hall becomes Central's fifth president. On December 14, Roadway Services, Inc. becomes Caliber Systems, Inc. and on December 18, the consolidation of Central, Coles, Spartan, and Viking Freight Systems into Viking Freight, Inc. is announced, creating a nationwide freight carrier, and beginning the closure of Central's Waco corporate headquarters.
1996	Central becomes the Southwestern Division of Viking Freight, Inc.
1997	On June 30th, an investment group led by a group of senior Central management purchases the former Central Freight Lines from Viking Freight and reopens as Central Freight Lines.
1999	Central signs contract to acquire Intrastate Arizona Carrier, Jaguar Fast Freight. Central continues westward expansion into California and Nevada with purchase of Vecta Transportation Systems, Inc. of Sacramento, California.
2003	Central Freight Lines goes public.
2003	Central receives Regional Carrier Of The Year award from Exel Logistics
2004	For the fourth time, Central wins the prestigious ATA Presidents Trophy.
2005	Central awarded Carrier Of The Year by Direct Logistics
2006	Central transitions from a publicly traded company to a privately held enterprise by a merger with North American Truck Lines, LLC and Green acquisition Company, controlled by Mr. Jerry Moyes.
2008	Don Orr becomes President & CEO of Central Freight Lines
2008	Central receives the 2008 American Trucking Association Presidents Trophy
2008	CFL Network provides service to Colorado
2009	Central partners with EPA as a SmartWay Transport Partner
2009	CFL Network provides service to Idaho, Utah, Minnesota and Wisconsin
2009	Central initiates a Time-Definite Guarantee Delivery Program Delivery by 10:30 AM or 5:00 PM
2009	Central selected as one of the Top 100 Motor Carriers by Inbound Logistics Magazine
2009	The CFL Network expands to provide service to 49 States
2009	Central Partners with the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care Initiative.
2010	Mr. Anthony Jones, CFL Houston Line Haul Driver, was selected as the 2010 Texas Driver of the Year by the Texas Motor Transportation Association

Central Freight Lines' safety record is the benchmark of a successful safety program throughout the industry. The company has often been called upon to provide assistance to safety organizations, associations, and companies in the areas of loss prevention and compliance. Click here to read how Central has been recognized.