Craters & Freighters vs XDP Express UK Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
XDP Express UK Franchise
Investment $176,850 - $276,500$70,000 - $80,000
Franchise Fee $31,500N/A
Royalty Fee 5%-
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 19901996
Year Franchised 19910
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
XDP Express UK 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
XDP Express UK Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/-
Inventory No/Yes-/-
Receivables No/No-/-
Payroll No/No-/-

Training & Support

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
XDP Express UK 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.-
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsXDP is committed to delivering the highest standards of on-going support to its franchisees. The XDP partnership succeeds due to the combined strengths of both the franchisor and franchisee. XDP will continue to seek out new business opportunities, whilst our franchisees continue to provide local service excellence. XDP has a regional support structure for all its members and this includes sales development and commercial advice. Because XDP is a growing franchise business - last years turnover was in excess of �15 million - it brings immediate business to new franchisees from day one. Every franchise area enjoys regular deliveries supplied by XDP. This 'Kick Start' is particularly valuable for new franchisees. The XDP support structure and network will ensure regular encouragement and ideas to help your business. On-going support will include help with sales promotion programmes and innovative marketing schemes, all designed around increasing your sales and profits.
Marketing Ad slicks, National media-
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)

-

Expansion Plans

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
XDP Express UK Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion Yes-

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 XDP Express UK

XDP was formed in 1995 and has since grown to be the largest privately owned parcel carrier in the UK, and has built a reputation for reliability and quality of service. With a team of over 500 and with a franchise network in excess of 60 depots nationwide, our reputation for customer focused logistics has gone from strength to strength.
As an XDP franchisee you will have the most comprehensive induction training to ensure the best possible start and every opportunity to succeed. You receive two weeks comprehensive franchise training covering all aspects of the business and how it operates, and how it can be developed to maximize the revenue you receive. Because of the thoroughness of our training programme you need not have any previous experience of transport, however you need to be totally committed to providing the highest possible standards of service and reliability to customer as well as having the confidence to sell your products and services. Every new XDP franchisee, whether buying an existing franchise or new start up must complete the XDP programme, which covers all aspects of the network, operating and reporting systems, health and safety matters, terms and conditions of carriage, sales promotion and business development, customer care, time management and financial controls. In short every single aspect of running your own franchise business is covered.