Franchising encompasses many different kinds of business models, and an equally vast number of business services. One such sector that may be surprising to those outside of the industry are courier franchise opportunities, such as InXpress, Aramex (previously Fastway Couriers), or World Options.
These franchises typically operate by bringing a professional courier service to smaller businesses that would typically miss out on the experience had by huge corporations. Some courier companies only offer discounts to large clients, for example, but franchises like those mentioned above often group clients in such a way that courier delivery services are kept affordable and flexible; working out well for business owners.
But what kind of franchise owner works best in the delivery industry? What sort of startup costs can you expect in this segment, and do courier franchisees need particular experience, or can they receive hands-on training? Make sure to continue reading this franchising guide to courier businesses to find out this, and much more.
How to open a delivery business franchise
Whether you’re looking to open a courier business in Britain or a delivery franchise in India, the way you go about the process is relatively similar. The first step is to research the kinds of courier delivery business opportunities in the market, and find the perfect match for your professional goals.
Mail Boxes Etc offers mailbox and virtual assistant services, for example, alongside a whole host of other courier necessities. Its wide range of speciality shipping and courier services positions the franchise as a one-stop-shop for potential customers.
World Options, meanwhile, focuses primarily on assisting online small businesses with their domestic and international shipping needs. It harnesses the power of bulk buying to deliver low courier costs to clients; helping them to build up a customer base while saving on costly fees.
What connects most delivery companies in the franchising sphere is that the franchisees are rarely handling dispatching and courier jobs directly. Instead, this form of business is best suited to entrepreneurs who have sales skills, communication skills, and an ability to seek out and secure new business.
InXpress, for example, states on its franchising site that prospective franchisees don’t need to have specialty shipping experience in order to apply, or even experience in the courier space. All that the brand is looking for is a sales-oriented partner with an aptitude for business. You’ll find that many of the franchise opportunities within this space provide comprehensive franchise training alongside marketing and operational support, so don’t let this be a barrier to entry if you’re interested in owning your own business.
How much do courier and delivery franchises cost?
The financial requirements of franchises that offer delivery business services can change depending on what kind of concept you’re looking to invest in. To give you an idea of the expected fees, however, let’s take a look at some of the leading brand names.
PACK & SEND
The Australian-based shipping services franchise PACK & SEND began trading in 1993, when its first location opened in NSW, Australia. Today, it operates throughout Australasia and the U.K.
Its franchise fees are market dependent, but in the U.K., the funding required to open your own PACK & SEND service center is around £84,500. You’ll also need working capital of between £35,000 and £50,000, bringing the total investment to £120,000 to £135,000 (or $166,524 to $187,340).
InXpress
Global shipping specialists InXpress have fees that aren’t too dissimilar to PACK & SEND. The initial investment can range from $85,600 to $169,990, which includes the franchise fee, marketing, and training fee of $65,000.
Mail Boxes Etc.
Opening your own Mail Boxes Etc. is billed as a ‘turnkey operation’, meaning that everything you need should be available from the beginning. The exact amount you’ll pay for this opportunity can vary, but the initial investment ranges from £60,000 to £70,000, with up to 70 per cent of this amount fundable by a high-street bank loan.
Should you open a courier and delivery franchise?
Owning your own courier business is a great way to turn your sales-centric skills into a career, but this doesn’t mean that the opportunity is suited for every kind of entrepreneur. If you’d prefer to be more hands-on when running a business, for example, then the relationship-building side of this sector could prove unfulfilling.
However, for entrepreneurs looking to make the next step into business ownership, opening your own franchise unit in the delivery industry can be an incredibly fruitful and rewarding journey. The training of your franchisor will often help to overcome any challenges, and relying on the support of your franchisee peers means that you can truly be in business for yourself, but not by yourself.
