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Updated RecentlyParcel Plus vs Craters & Freighters Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Parcel Plus vs Craters & Freighters including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $35,525 - $172,750 | $176,850 - $276,500 |
| Franchise Fee | $29,950 | $31,500 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% | 5% |
| Advertising Fee | 2% | 1% |
| Year Founded | 1986 | 1990 |
| Year Franchised | 1988 | 1991 |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | 15 years |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | 15 years |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | It is not necessary to have a background in packaging, crate building, or transportation to operate our franchise. Our franchise owners come from widely varied backgrounds from Doctors to CPA's to Engineers. Our staff has the experience and credentials to guide you through an extensive training process in all aspects of running the operation including packaging, crating, and shipping procedures to administration, accounting, marketing, & sales. | |
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Equipment | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Inventory | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Receivables | No/No | No/No |
| Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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| Training | On-The-Job Training: 32 hours Classroom Training: 80 hours Additional Training: Operational visit | 10-day training program in Golden, CO Training includes classroom and hands-on experience in an operating franchise in Colorado. Owners are trained on, and provided with, the company's proprietary eBusiness Management System Software, Center Opening Handbook, Operations Manual, Policy and Procedures Manual, Freight Carriers Guide, Packaging & Crating Manual and Marketing Manual. Also includes business preparation, proprietary software, pick-up and delivery, transportation, bills of lading, shipping invoices, accounting, marketing, advertising, promotion, start-up operations, pricing and quoting, packaging and crating, insurance, tracers and claims, warehousing, personnel and international shipping. |
| Support | Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations |
| Marketing | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app | Ad slicks, National media |
| Operations |
International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 3% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
21% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 4
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | No |
| International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Company Overviews
About Parcel Plus
Parcel Plus provides retail packaging, freight, cargo, crating and international shipping.
Your timing could not be better for owning your own small business
franchise. Today's busy lifestyles demand our services of shipping and
packaging, copying and printing, plus postal services. We save consumers
time and money, and that's what keeps them coming back. From methods of
site selection to ongoing advertising and support, you can count on the
expertise of a nationwide company to help you grow your business.
You'll find our formula has helped hundreds of people like you own and
operate their own business.
Parcel Plus is a member of the Annex Brands’ franchise family of
business service and shipping centers. With over 800 locations across
the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Japan, Annex Brands has an extensive
system of support and resources to help you in your small business
ownership. We like to say, “You’re in business for yourself, but not by
yourself.”
Why should you choose us?
- Experience: You'll benefit from our over 30 years of experience.
- Company Culture: You are the entrepreneur of your own business. We help you fulfill that dream.
- Systems: Well developed systems help you manage and run your store.
- Marketing: You'll have access to Co-op Marketing Funds along with award-winning talent and expertise to drive an effective advertising campaign for your store.
- Training: A comprehensive training program will equip you with the tools you'll need to build your new business.
- Support: You'll have access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the support you'll need to help you grow your business.
- Commercial Center: $99,700 to $172,750
- Commercial Center-Conversion: $35,525 to $147,975
Veteran Incentives 20% off franchise fee
About Craters & Freighters
Starting a franchise format business can eliminate some of the risk of opening an independent business because the concept, brand and name recognition have already been established. The new franchise is the beneficiary of the years of experience of those in support positions at the home office and of all the franchisees that have gone before them.
The corporate team is in place to initially provide support in launching the business that includes forecasting and planning for business opening expenses, identifying a location, space planning, shop equipment, supply and inventory purchasing, staffing and training on a broad range of topics key to administering the daily operations of the business. Many more support functions are furnished throughout the life of the franchise pertaining to growing the business and its ongoing operations.
The Craters & Freighters network provides a distinct advantage over any would be competitor. Instead of being an independent business operation, the new franchise owner directly benefits from the services provided by the Craters & Freighters network of locations. The network provides a big competitive edge allowing our franchise owners to operate as a team.
And finally, a franchisee has an additional advantages in controlling cost of goods as the combined spend of the system is used to negotiate discounted prices for goods and services on behalf of the franchisee.Craters & Freighters is the right choice as our ownership benefits provide:
*Franchise Support
*eBusiness Management Software
*In House Engineering Services
*Insurance Programs
*Brand Identity
*Marketing, Advertising & Promotion
*eMarketing
*Dynamic Center Opening Marketing Program
*Opening Assistance
*Sales Support
*Craters & Freighters Global Logistics
*Meetings, Seminars, Regionals & Conventions
*Large Trade Areas
*Economies of Scale
*Networking Advantage
These are just a few of the advantages to becoming a Craters & Freighters Franchise owner!