Learn about the characteristics of a strong franchise brand and how they make The UPS Store one of the best franchises to own.
Many entrepreneurs dream of owning their own business but feel daunted by the challenges of starting a company from scratch. Getting new products and services ready to go to market, gaining brand awareness and developing operational systems are among some of the many hurdles new business owners face. However, the franchise business model allows owners to circumvent these difficulties and avoid many of the mistakes start-up entrepreneurs make. In franchising, franchise owners (franchisees) partner with a corporate brand (the franchisor) to open a business. The franchisee pays a fee in exchange for the right to sell the franchisor’s products or services and conduct business using their method of operation.
Franchising provides more security than starting an independent business, but some franchise systems are better than others. When it comes to selecting the best franchise to own, minimizing risk is key. Owning a The UPS Store is a great opportunity for those who desire to run their own business while being backed by the support of a successful brand. In fact, The UPS Store has been ranked among the top franchise opportunities by Entrepreneur magazine for 31 consecutive years. This year marked our fifth year in the top five overall, jumping two spots to rank third while remaining in the top spot in the postal and business services category. Our competitive pricing model, flexible financing options and lower financial requirements are just a few of the factors that make The UPS Store one of the best values among franchise brands. But being a top-rated franchise opportunity is about more than cost. It’s about the strength of the entire system. Here’s a look at a few of the characteristics that make The UPS Store a strong franchise brand.
Experience
With over 40 years of franchising experience, The UPS Store has helped thousands of franchisees build something they can call their own. Our franchisees come from all walks of life, from young entrepreneurs to retirees. We’re proud to support many veteran, women and minority-owned businesses in our franchise system. As a way of thanking veterans for their service to our country, we offer them discounted franchise fees for opening a new The UPS Store location. We believe in empowering minorities as well, which is why we introduced an incentive program to contribute to the growth of minority-owned businesses.
Our experience and proven track record provide security for our franchisees. We believe in continual optimization to improve efficiencies to help our franchisees launch, grow faster and achieve even higher levels of success.
Growth Rate
Growth is the gateway to building a stable infrastructure that supports the success of all locations within a franchise system. When our first center opened in October 1980, it was a whole new category of business. By 2002, our footprint had more than doubled. Now, with nearly 5,000 locations across the country, The UPS Store has grown into the world’s largest network of retail shipping, postal and business service centers. And we’re not done yet. We are committed to continually reinforcing our strengths to ensure continued growth for years to come.
Whether potential franchisees are interested in buying an existing store that’s ready for business or prefer to build out a new location in an open market, The UPS Store has franchise opportunities available throughout the U.S.
Brand Awareness
Despite our continued growth, some things will never change: our commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience, dedication to service, and a focus on supporting small business in our communities. Every The UPS Store franchisee embodies these brand values; customers know what to expect when they walk through the door of any The UPS Store center. This level of brand awareness is an important and powerful advantage of franchising with The UPS Store.
As a nationally renowned brand, we’ve received accolades and awards from many different business organizations and media outlets. This recognition is a testament to the growing power of our brand strength, making The UPS Store one of the best franchises to own.
Collaboration
Our relationship with franchise owners doesn’t end when the franchise agreement is signed. We’re in it for the long haul. Owning a The UPS Store is like being part of a family dedicated to helping its members achieve success. We are committed to our franchisees and support them every step of the way. And it’s not just the corporate team. The UPS Store is a network of store owners that believe in collaborating with fellow franchisees to learn from one another. Whether it’s advice for handling a specific challenge or brainstorming new ideas, our franchisees love to help each other succeed.
Franchising is a relationship business. Communication and collaboration are key components. From our toll-free help line to newsletters to an annual convention, we provide numerous opportunities to interact and share knowledge.
Training and Ongoing Support
At The UPS Store, we understand the importance of investing in training and ongoing support to keep our brand strong. Our comprehensive four-phase training program enables franchisees to get their store up and running quickly and efficiently while adhering to brand guidelines. The UPS Store franchisees are given all the tools and training needed to pave the path forward to a successful store opening and continued operation. Business fundamentals as well as store operations, technical systems and print services are covered through a combination of online and in-person coursework in addition to hands-on in-store experiences.
We also work hard to continually support our franchisees by investing millions of dollars in ongoing national advertising and marketing campaigns including television, digital, print and radio. In addition, regional and local advertising campaigns help communities learn about the valuable products and services provided by their local The UPS Store. Public relations support and turn-key marketing tools are also available to help franchisees promote their store. We understand that local marketing is essential for a store’s success, that’s why we’re ready and willing to help in every possible way.
Innovative Products and Services
Innovation and adaptability are good indicators of a strong franchise brand and The UPS Store is proud to provide both. Technology has been changing at a rapid pace, and we’re committed to staying on the forefront of trends to allow our franchisees to meet the growing needs of their customers. We’re continually evolving and innovating to stay ahead of the curve and provide cutting edge solutions that create long-term growth options for our franchisees.
The UPS Store continues to move forward despite significant changes in the marketplace. The last year has been full of challenges and uncertainty. But, as an essential business The UPS Store adapted quickly in order to continue to provide the critical services our customers rely on every day. This flexibility is key to providing support that helps small businesses and communities persevere.
A strong franchise brand not only attracts customers but is committed to fostering the success of its franchisees. Over the last four decades, The UPS Store has worked hard to build a reputable brand and financially viable network. Candidates who are interested in taking the next step towards owning a The UPS Store should contact our franchise development team to learn more.
