Craters & Freighters vs Postal Connections of America Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
Postal Connections of America Franchise
Investment $176,850 - $276,500$64,000 - $240,000
Franchise Fee $31,500$29,900
Royalty Fee 5%4%+
Advertising Fee 1%to2%
Year Founded 19901985
Year Franchised 19911995
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Renewal Fee -$5000


Business Experience Requirements

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
Postal Connections of America 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
Postal Connections of America 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
Postal Connections of America 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. On-The-Job Training: 98 hours Additional Training: Regional training stores
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Ad slicks, National mediaAd 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)

Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 1


Expansion Plans

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
Postal Connections of America Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion NoNo
International Expansion YesNo

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 Postal Connections of America


We understand you want to work for yourself, and our goal is to help you take full advantage of our flexible, proven system and value-driven business investment. We offer two business models to reach huge marketplaces!

Our Postal Connections stores offer superior service in shopping malls, high-rise commercial spaces and smaller community free-standing stores. Postal Connections Express service centers, located in the world’s largest retailer’s super centers, reach millions of customers with convenient one-stop shopping assistance. Our franchisees like to help people find solutions!

Trustworthy, Friendly, Savvy and Leading Edge - these are Postal Connections’ core operating values, and there is a vast potential market of people and small businesses looking for just the type of service Postal Connections stores have become known for. We have experience guiding franchisees!

Our experienced management team played a key role in building the industry as senior executives with Mail Boxes Etc., and we continue to provide franchisee assistance every step of the way, from opening to marketing and operating your store. You’ll work with the owners as well as staff. The Postal Connections models are designed to compete!

A Postal Connections store fits perfectly into retail mall spaces anywhere across the country and typically occupy 1,200 sq. ft. Stores are designed to be open and efficient in serving customers face-to-face on the floor, helping with boxes to ship and duplicate business and personal documents  Postal Connections Stores are set up rapidly, helping you get going and to conserve your start-up funds. 
Postal Connections Express ranges in size from 400 to 800 sq. ft. and is located inside at the front of giant super centers operated by the world’s largest retailer. With service alternatives, flexible operations, low entry costs and low ongoing royalties, your store is ready to compete for customers when it opens. Franchise owners enjoy a higher success rate than independent start-up businesses!

Franchising is unique in the world of business, providing entrepreneurs with an affordable means of reaching their goals more quickly - and with far less risk - due much in part to the franchisor’s system.

There’s a popular saying in our business: Owning a franchise allows you to go into business for yourself, but not by yourself - and with Postal Connections, this couldn’t be more true.

#49 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees
Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee