Craters & Freighters vs Mail Box Store Developers Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
Mail Box Store Developers Franchise
Investment $176,850 - $276,500$80,900 - And Up
Franchise Fee $31,500N/A
Royalty Fee 5%-
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 1990-
Year Franchised 1991-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
Mail Box Store Developers 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
Mail Box Store Developers 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
Mail Box Store Developers 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.Customized, thorough training is available. Manuals, POS workbooks, and other materials are used to guide the storeowner through the operational aspects of running a this business. This training typically begins several weeks prior to the buildout, and includes follow up training support once the store has opened.
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsOur monthly newsletter, "Industry News" , is full of information on exciting new products and services and discusses topics such as; how to get ready for upcoming holidays, tips from other retailers, and much, much more. Your support representative will do a great job for you�just ask our references! At the end of the first 30 days of each new store's business, The Mail Box Stores, Inc. offers to perform a formal review of the store.
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)

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Expansion Plans

 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
Mail Box Store Developers 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 Mail Box Store Developers

THE MAIL BOX STORES is a business opportunity, NOT A FRANCHISE!!
THE MAIL BOX STORES is the fastest growing full service developer of Mailbox Stores in North America! We achieved this feat by offering the most comprehensive turn-key program in the industry. Our business primarily focuses on servicing the small business and home based business owner. We act as their "office" by providing mailbox rentals, copying, binding, shipping, notary, faxing and a full array of office supplies along with many other related services. Of course, our stores sell stamps and mail boxes and provide other services that all customers need. The turn-key program includes finance assistance, site location and lease negotiation, store build-out including all fixtures, supplies and merchandise, focused training and excellent long term support. In addition, we have negotiated some of the deepest carrier and vendor discounts available to our industry. Some of the key focal points of our program include: The lowest price in the industry for the services offered and products supplied. JUST $80,900! Over$5,000 in merchandise at wholesale cost, the highest amount in the industry. Receive a high speed color copier valued at $9,000. Not a lease, you own it! Flexible training, over the phone, at our corporate headquarters, at the store, or a combination of all, whichever is most convenient for you. All work including site location and leasing is performed by our in-house staff of professionals who only have you as their top priority. Excellent financing assistance! A very low 100% refundable deposit of just $1,500 gets your project started. With our "turn-key" package we will help you secure financing (if it is needed), find your location and negotiate your lease, provide complete and on-going training, supply all fixtures and retail merchandise, as well as send out our experienced staff to build out your location professionally and quickly. You will also take part in some of the deepest carrier and vendor discounts in the industry that THE MAIL BOX STORES has already negotiated for you. We will be standing by your side as you open your doors and make your first sale. Before we leave, you will have a good understanding of your services and shipping, and have the direction and support you need to operate profitably for years to come without paying ongoing royalties.