Parcel 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

 
Parcel Plus Franchise
Craters & Freighters Franchise
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 19861990
Year Franchised 19881991
Term Of Agreement 15 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years15 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Parcel Plus Franchise
Craters & Freighters Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • 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

     
    Parcel Plus Franchise
    Craters & Freighters 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

     
    Parcel Plus Franchise
    Craters & Freighters Franchise
    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

     
    Parcel Plus Franchise
    Craters & Freighters Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    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?
    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!