Postal Annex+ vs AIM Mail Centers Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Postal Annex+ vs AIM Mail Centers including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Postal Annex+ Franchise
AIM Mail Centers Franchise
Investment $35,525 - $244,350$35,525 - $172,750
Franchise Fee $29,950$29,950
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 2%2%
Year Founded 19851985
Year Franchised 19861989
Term Of Agreement 20 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years15 years
Renewal Fee $3.5K$5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Postal Annex+ Franchise
AIM Mail Centers Franchise
Experience
  • Must speak English

  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    Postal Annex+ Franchise
    AIM Mail Centers 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

     
    Postal Annex+ Franchise
    AIM Mail Centers Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 32 hours Classroom Training: 80 hours Additional Training: At regional conferences On-The-Job Training: 32 hours Classroom Training: 80 hours Additional Training: Regional meetings/annual convention
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (96% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 2

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.


    Expansion Plans

     
    Postal Annex+ Franchise
    AIM Mail Centers Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Postal Annex+

    While working as a consultant during retirement, Jack Lentz found a need for occasional access to copy and fax machines, packaging facilities and mail services. Frustrated when he couldn't find a store that offered the services he needed, Lentz decided to open his own.
    In 1985, he opened the first PostalAnnex+ location near San Diego, California.
    In addition to offering the business services Lentz required, PostalAnnex+ stores rent postal boxes and handle packaging and shipping.
    Stores also sell greeting cards and office supplies.
    • Commercial Center: $99,700 to $172,750
    • Commercial Center-Conversion: $35,525 to $147,975

    It's your package, your choice.
    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee
    "Entrepreneur
    #216 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #231 in Franchise 500 for 2021.




    About AIM Mail Centers

    AIM Mail Centers, a 20 year old company based in Irvine, California, has developed a unique and attractive franchise opportunity designed for motivated professionals. AIM Mail Centers are complete business service centers offering a wide array of products and services for large and small businesses plus general consumers. This includes shipping services with UPS, FedEx and the US Postal Service. We provide packaging, stamps, fax service, notary public, mailbox rentals, photocopies, office supplies and much more. AIM Mail Centers' advanced systems, extraordinary training and on-going field support make AIM Mail centers the right choice for entrepreneurs who want to be in business for themselves but not by themselves. The SOHO (small office/home office) based business market is growing at a remarkable rate. From a base of 6 million home offices in 1980, more than one in four U.S. workers in 53 million households is now regularly working at home at least part of the week. For the past five years at a rate of one every 35 seconds, someone has begun a full or part time business in their home. With this, as well as residential customers, the demand for shipping, postal and business services continues to boom.
    • Commercial Center: $99,700 to $172,750
    • Commercial Center-Conversion: $35,525 to $147,975
    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee