Learn why owning a The UPS Store is one of the best franchise opportunities available for starting an essential business.
With approximately 5,000 locations across North America, The UPS Store is the nation’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers. We have been ranked No. 1 in the postal and business services category for 30 years and we are in the top five brands overall for our fourth consecutive year according to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500. Most recently, The UPS Store was recognized by Entrepreneur as the best franchise opportunity that can be started for less than $150,000 based on the information provided in our Franchise Disclosure Document and scores from the 2020 Franchise 500. Although a significant amount of due diligence is required to find the best fit for you, buying a franchise doesn’t have to be an extremely expensive endeavor.
A Rewarding Opportunity
Not only is owning a The UPS Store affordable, but our franchise opportunities are backed by 40 years of experience. With our established business model, comprehensive training and support as well as multiple profit centers, The UPS Store is among the most rewarding franchise opportunities available.
We also offer a variety of store options to allow franchisees greater flexibility to deliver essential products and services to meet the needs of customers in their communities. For example, with our store in store concept, freestanding centers are set up inside hotels, convention centers and other businesses. A few years ago, this idea was broadened to include existing retail businesses. This model now allows owners of an established retail business, like a pharmacy or hardware store, to expand the type of services they can provide within the footprint of their current space, while also increasing traffic to their core business.
Access to high-quality business services are important, no matter the location. That’s why The UPS Store also supports franchise development in rural areas. Our Main Street franchise model offers a reduced fee and significant start-up cost savings to encourage franchise ownership in small markets. Although there are typically fewer customers to serve, owning a The UPS Store in a rural market has its advantages. For example, slower real estate turnover gives you more time to find the perfect location and less competition improves your visibility and positioning for a leadership role in the community.
Regardless of the market or location type, we have helped thousands of entrepreneurs become owners of their own thriving franchise. At The UPS Store, we believe in investing in the success of our franchisees. Afterall, their success contributes to the ongoing strength of the brand. We’re here for our store owners every step of the way. But, support and guidance doesn’t just come from the corporate office, it comes from fellow-franchisees as well. The UPS Store network has a strongly rooted sense of family. Our franchisees enjoy a great deal of collaboration and camaraderie, and love to share ideas to learn from each others’ successes.
Serving Our Communities
Individual The UPS Store centers provide valuable services at the local level for the communities they serve. As a result, The UPS Store retail locations have been designated as an essential business and remain open to support small business owners and consumers who count on the crucial services they offer, especially during this time of crisis.
For those who are now working from home, have children who are now learning from inside the home, small business owners who are trying to continue to run their business and even medical personnel fighting the pandemic, The UPS Store centers are ready to help. Essential services needed at this time could make a major difference in a customer’s life. The UPS Store locations provide U.S. federal mail to box holders, which could include important health-related shipments (medications and devices, diagnostic/lab results, unique dietary related goods), financial documents (payroll checks, tax refunds), legal documents (wills, trusts, deeds, contracts, adoption/paternity paperwork, notarized documents, etc.) and much more. Scanning, faxing and notary services could also play a critical role as customers deal with medical or legal paperwork. The UPS Store also offers vital packing and shipping services to members of the community who need to ship important items like these or want to send a care package to loved ones.
Things are far from business as usual, but The UPS Store centers continue to play an instrumental role in assisting local small business owners. From printed signs to guide customers through curbside pick-up services, to printing take-out menus to attach to delivery orders, to direct mail solutions to help keep business moving, The UPS Store is helping small businesses navigate the challenges of this unprecedented time.
Humanitarian Assistance
The UPS Store takes great pride in serving our communities with more than the essential services we provide. Our franchise owners are committed to fulfilling leadership roles in their communities and are dedicated to giving back to others. We’re a proud founding sponsor of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program developed in conjunction with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to promote childhood literacy across the U.S. The UPS Store franchisees pride themselves on supporting local charitable efforts as well. From sponsoring a Little League team to donating time and resources to help beautify a local park, owning a The UPS Store enables entrepreneurs to give back to their communities and help improve the quality of life of those less fortunate. Contributions will likely take on different forms as innovative franchisees find creative ways to help support and revitalize their communities in the wake of the devastation caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Here are some positive examples of how The UPS Store has gone above and beyond for its community:
The UPS Store Shipping Masks Across Country for Free
The UPS Store location in Moses Lake, WA is shipping masks around the country for free. The word of what the franchisee is doing for her community is spreading quickly. Some customers still opting to pay. When COVID-19 initially began to hit, the franchisee printed 20 large banners and handed them out for free to local restaurants to help them promote that they’re open for to-go orders. Giving back to community not only helps others, but helps relieve stress for her and her staff.
Printing Learning Packets for Local Charter Schools
The UPS Store location in San Antonio is producing learning packets for Charter Schools in San Antonio on a weekly basis. Over the last three weeks, the store has printed 14,000 packets, which are a vital tool that the charter schools are providing to help parents and students adapt to remote learning. Some families lack access to technology and these packets enable students to finish out assignments for remainder of the school year.
Franchising an Essential Business
Whether you are interested in taking over ownership of an existing store that’s ready for business or developing a new store in an open market, The UPS Store has many franchise opportunities available in markets across the country. To learn more about an essential business franchise opportunity with The UPS Store, reach out to our franchise development team, join one of our weekly webinars or attend a live event in your area.
