The UK Franchise Directory

Your future in Your hands - A fully comprehensive franchise package from £60,000, inlcuding training and marketing as well as help with site selection, lease negotiation, financial planning and unrivalled ongoing support.

> Since its inception in 1980, Mail Boxes Etc. has grown in quantum leaps. Mail Boxes Etc. hit the 1,000 franchise locations mark in 1990 and has quickly expanded to become the biggest network of business service centres in the world. Today Mail Boxes Etc. has nearly 6000 Centres represented in almost 77 countries worldwide. UPS, the world's largest parcel courier company acquired Mail Boxes Etc. Inc. in 2001.

In the UK and Ireland we have mirrored this growth. Since acquiring the master license in 1997 we have become one of the UK's fastest growing franchise companies. Currently we have over 100 Mail Boxes Etc. Centres open in the UK and Ireland.

Our network has also attracted world class strategic partners such as Xerox, Federal Express, Parcelforce Worldwide and UPS. Together with our partners we are dedicated to providing our franchisees with the best programmes, training and support in the franchise industry. Mail Boxes Etc. is well positioned to take advantage of future business trends. The rapid growth in people working in home based offices, coupled with the advent of e-commerce retailers and customers, offers tremendous opportunities for our franchisees and for our network to develop new products and revenue streams.

What we do

Mail Boxes Etc. is unique in the UK. We are the only High Street chain that offers businesses and consumers alike such a vast and diverse range of business support and retail services. We offer everything from packaging and worldwide parcel delivery services, digital colour printing and photocopying, to mailbox rental and mail services - all in one convenient location.

And, because we understand our customers' needs, we can provide what they want immediately. We offer cost-effective solutions quickly and efficiently, using state-of-the-art technology, thereby saving our customers' time, effort and money.

Franchise support, Unrivalled & all encompassing

When you join the MBE network, you not only join a system that offers a proven concept and a globally recognised brand, but one that offers support from day one from both the MBE head office staff and the local Area Franchisees. The support given to our franchisees includes:

Pre-opening support

Site location and lease negotiation

Through a combination of unequalled experience and demographic research, we will help you to find the right location for your new MBE Centre. We will identify the best location that puts you in the heart of the local business community but also ensures that you attract the maximum number of individual new customers. We also offer assistance in negotiating the essential business terms of the lease.

Centre design and construction

With our Modular Store Programme, you'll be in business quickly and economically. We design your Centre and manage the construction phase, producing a "Turnkey" Centre.

Training

MBE provides a comprehensive induction programme, consisting of 2 weeks hands-on field training in one of our accredited MBE training Centres and a week of formal lecture-room training focused on operating procedures, staffing, products and services, business management, sales, marketing and customer service. This programme is supplemented with a week of pre-opening training and support from MBE personnel and equipment suppliers. Full supporting documentation and manuals accompany this training, providing new franchisees with comprehensive operational guidelines.

Financing assistance and business planning

We have excellent and long standing relationships with all of the leading lending institutions, who can assist you with the financing needed to open a new MBE Centre.

Initial marketing plan and start-up marketing pack

All new MBE franchisees are supplied with an initial six month Marketing Plan that is specifically tailored to new Centres. The plan includes details of sales promotions, public relations, publicity programmes and materials that are designed to ensure that your business gets off to a first class start.

Ongoing support

Market research

We notify you of the results of our nationwide market research programmes and tailor our national marketing initiatives to reflect their findings.

New products and services

We are constantly searching the market place for innovative services and new products that will bring you lucrative additional profit centres.

Technical development

We operate in a market place that uses equipment that is constantly evolving and changing. It is imperative that our franchisees are at the forefront of these new technological advances. We therefore continuously research and test new technology and equipment, to ensure that all Centres have the opportunity to utilise such advances and to up-grade their systems as cost-effectively as possible.

Supplier relations

We manage relationships with suppliers, ensuring the best possible deals for you. We always ensure that we pass on bulk buying discounts, creating greater opportunities for you to increase your profits. In addition our suppliers regularly support national promotional campaigns.

Training

We provide refresher training courses, on site training and other head office based courses.

Head office staff

The MBE head office staff, with over 120 years combined experience in franchising, is always available to you. Every day you'll have a team of dedicated experts to answer your questions, listen to your recommendations, and provide assistance.

Area franchisees

In addition to the support given to our franchisees by head office, the MBE franchise system operates a support structure of Area Franchisees who each cover a specific region. These representatives are individuals with specific local knowledge and experience in developing the MBE franchise in their area and often own or have owned their own MBE Centre. The primary responsibilities of our Area Franchisees includes assisting franchisees to find and secure a suitable location for their MBE Centre, to help with the opening of their Centre and to provide continued ongoing support to the franchisees in their area after the opening of their Centre. Such ongoing support includes providing advice on business development and strategy, assistance with local marketing and direction on operational issues to ensure the continued success of the franchisees' business.

You can request our Mail Boxes Etc. franchise information pack, which provides potential franchisees with more information on the MBE franchise opportunity...please register your interest below.