MBE, a UPS company, is the world’s largest franchisor of retail shipping, postal and business service centers. Its franchise brands, The UPS Store ® and Mail Boxes Etc.®, together comprise more than 5,900 independently owned locations around the world, providing convenient and value-added business services to the small-office/home-office (SOHO) market, corporate “road warriors,” and consumers.
History
The Mail Boxes Etc. concept was introduced in 1980 as a convenient alternative to the post office. Throughout its evolution, it has continued to define and lead the business services category it created. In 2001, UPS acquired MBE. In 2003, the two companies unveiled The UPS Store opportunity offering the U.S. network the choice to re-brand, and also set lower maximum retail prices for UPS shipping services. On April 7, 2003, approximately 3,000 Mail Boxes Etc. locations in the United States (at the time, nearly 90% of the domestic U.S. network) re-branded as The UPS Store and began offering lower (around 20% on average) UPS-direct shipping rates. The stores remain locally owned and operated, and continue to offer the same variety of postal and business services, with the same convenience and world-class service.
Growth
In the year following the re-branding, MBE sold more than 500 new The UPS Store locations in the United States – a record for the company, and phenomenal growth for a quarter-century-old franchise. Special venue site development also has grown steadily with locations on college campuses, military bases, in convention centers, hotels, and urban renewal areas/empowerment zones. Special venue sites create an opportunity to provide services to consumers, regardless of where they live, work or travel.
The commitment of its franchisees to providing personalized and convenient business solutions with world-class customer service.
In 2007, Stuart Mathis, president of MBE joined the International Franchisee Association board of directors. MBE is a proud member of the IFA's VetFran program. Since the program was reinitiated in 2003, MBE has awarded more than 120 franchises under the VetFran program, more than any other franchisor. Qualified veterans are eligible for a 15 percent discount off the franchise fee.
Number of Franchised Units Worldwide: 5,958
Historical: Total locations in U.S.: 4,473; Total locations outside the U.S.: 1,485