Learn more about the variety of The UPS Store non-traditional franchise opportunities.
Researching franchise opportunities can be an exciting and somewhat daunting task. There are many things to consider like the industry, skills required, training and support provided, cost and ongoing fees to name just a few. It’s also important to think about the type of location you would like to own. The UPS Store offers several unique, non-traditional franchise models to make it easier to find the best fit for you.
Hotels and Convention Centers
Hotels and convention centers host thousands of guests and a variety of events each year. The unique mix of vacationers, exhibitors and conference-goers creates a diverse customer base that requires a state-of-the-art business center to accommodate a variety of needs. Onsite The UPS Store franchise locations provide a seamless experience by delivering reliability and exceptional customer service. Non-traditional locations like this are playing a vital role in the daily operations of the Charlotte Convention Center, Hilton Orlando, Nashville’s Music City Center and Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.
Colleges and Universities
The UPS Store franchise locations on college campuses provide valuable services to students, faculty and staff by facilitating efficient mail and package delivery. They also provide high-quality printing and convenient storage solutions for students during breaks and move-in/move-out. The UPS Store has partnered with a number of universities including Shippensburg University, Belmont University, Arizona State University, Alabama A&M University and Florida State University to implement new services utilizing innovative technology to streamline mail management and make life easier for students in their home away from home.
Store in Store
In 2016, The UPS Store expanded the idea of non-traditional locations to include centers with an even smaller footprint within retail businesses. This model allows owners of established small businesses to become a one-stop shop by providing additional products and services to their existing customer base all in one convenient location. Store in store franchise opportunities can be especially valuable in smaller communities that may lack these products and services. By opening a The UPS Store non-traditional store in store franchise center, owners can provide an array of services including:
- Packing and Shipping
- Mailbox Services
- Moving Supplies
- Packaging Materials
- Digital Printing and Document Services
- Faxing, Notary and Computer Services
- Custom Crating and Freight Shipping
- Alternative Delivery Services
The Hertz family was looking to take their business to the next level when they opened the first-ever The UPS Store center in a pharmacy. After being in business for more than 78 years, Elmora Healthcare and Pharmacy in New Jersey was a well-established business with a strong customer base. In a community of over 120,000 people with no access to printing and shipping services, The UPS Store center fulfilled a need in the area. As a result, the pharmacy has seen an increase in foot traffic and the customers coming in have a need for both businesses. Hundreds of new people that have never heard of the pharmacy now visit the store daily. And, pharmacy patrons enjoy the convenience of being able to have their prescriptions filled while shipping a package.
Co-owner Ben Hertz says, “There isn’t another location nearby that can do what The UPS Store does. We’re hearing a lot of comments like, ‘This was such a good idea,’ and, ‘Thanks so much for doing this.’”
The store in store concept has also worked well for a local hardware store in Margate, NJ. Owner, Michael Collins was looking for a way to differentiate his business from larger competitors and the small beach community had a hefty demand for centralized packing and shipping services. Opening a The UPS Store center in his hardware store was the perfect solution to meet both needs. Local contractors love being able to handle their business needs in the same place they pick up their tools and supplies. It helps them get more done quickly, without having to run additional errands.
Collins mused, “When you first open a business, it’s enlightening to see that people are noticing and needing your services. In just the first couple of weeks, we’ve touched all of the key service areas, and it seems like we have a customer base that’s in need of them all.”
Having a The UPS Store inside a retail location drives more customers into the store and provides additional sales opportunities for the business. In addition, the reduced space and equipment requirements of this flexible model means the entry cost is lower compared to a traditional location. This makes the store in store concept a great opportunity for business owners, their customers and their community.
Rural Markets
Small business owners and residents need high-quality printing, shipping, packing and mailbox services no matter where they live. In addition to urban markets, The UPS Store offers small town franchise opportunities to bring these services to rural communities across the country. While smaller markets mean smaller populations and fewer people to serve, The UPS Store business model uses that as an advantage.
Since rural markets are home to fewer businesses, that means more opportunity to find the perfect location. And, the decreased demand for real estate provides more time to research location options with less risk of losing a top property choice. This also means less competition, resulting in greater visibility and the opportunity to dominate the market and build strong relationships within the community.
The Main Street business model is another benefit of opening a The UPS Store franchise in a small town. This unique option features reduced fees and significant savings on start-up expenses. This, combined with a lower cost of living and doing business, as well as cheaper real estate, makes opening a franchise in a rural market more affordable.
The UPS Store offers many different types of franchise opportunities. We believe in investing in your success and providing support and guidance every step of the way. Whether you are interested in a traditional or non-traditional store model in an urban or rural market, our dedicated team will provide you with all the necessary education you need to be a successful franchise owner. To learn more, contact our franchise development team, join one of our weekly webinars or attend a live event in your area.
