Craters & Freighters vs PakMail Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Craters & Freighters vs PakMail including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
PakMail Franchise
Investment $176,850 - $276,500$35,525 - $172,750
Franchise Fee $31,500$29,950
Royalty Fee 5%to 5%
Advertising Fee 1%2%
Year Founded 19901983
Year Franchised 19911984
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Renewal Fee -to $2.5k


Business Experience Requirements

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
PakMail Franchise
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

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
PakMail Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
Receivables No/NoNo/No
Payroll No/NoNo/No

Training & Support

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
PakMail Franchise
Training 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.Prior to opening, all new franchise partners receive two weeks of comprehensive, hands-on training at our International Support Center in Colorado and three days of in-store instruction, included in the franchise fee. After opening, you'll benefit from ongoing seminars, webinars, conventions, site visits and access to our intranet. On-The-Job Training: 32 hours Classroom Training: 80 hours Additional Training: At existing center
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Ad slicks, National mediaCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations 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)

International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 5% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 5

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (98% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


Expansion Plans

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
PakMail Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion NoNo
International Expansion YesYes

Company Overviews

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!

About PakMail

Pak Mail provides specialty crating and international shipping as well as private mailbox rental and business support services. Based in San Diego, California, Pak Mail Centers of America Inc. is a publicly held company traded under the symbol PMCX. Ninety-eight percent of franchisees are owner/operators.
  • Commercial Center: $99,700 to $172,750
  • Commercial Center-Conversion: $35,525 to $147,975

Seeking franchise operators Worldwide.
Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee

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