AIM Mail Centers vs EcoBox Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
AIM Mail Centers Franchise
EcoBox Franchise
Investment $35,525 - $172,750$136,900 - $324,800
Franchise Fee $29,950$19,000 - $29,500
Royalty Fee 5%-
Advertising Fee 2%-
Year Founded 19851994
Year Franchised 19892008
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
AIM Mail Centers Franchise
EcoBox Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		•  We are looking for candidates with strong business background, ability to build and motivate a team and to execute and implement operating system. Financial: Minimum of $75,000 in liquid capital Minimum of $250,000 net worth and a strong credit history Ownership structure: Approved franchisee must retain at least 51% ownership at all times and oversee store operations. Training: Successful completion of EcoBox University and in-store training. Other: Good driving record (MVR), good credit, no bankruptcies, U.S. citizenship or the ability to work legally in the U.S.

    Financing Options
     
    AIM Mail Centers Franchise
    EcoBox 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
     
    AIM Mail Centers Franchise
    EcoBox Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 32 hours Classroom Training: 80 hours Additional Training: Regional meetings/annual convention Franchisees receive 15 days training: 5 days classroom and 5 days hands on in-store training at our corporate headquarter in Austin, Texas. Additional 5 days on-site training prior to and after store opening. On going online support via GoTo Meeting, DVD and one-on-one training, plus quarterly leadership training and annual meeting.
    Support Newsletter 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 -
    Operations 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
     
    AIM Mail Centers Franchise
    EcoBox Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    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





    About EcoBox

    It's Your Move.

    Founded in 1994, EcoBox is a multi-million dollar company, currently operating two successful stores and a distribution center in Austin, Texas. We are now ready to expand our operation to additional markets in Texas.

    EcoBox, a leading moving and shipping supplies company based in Austin, Texas, is looking for bright, energetic franchise partners who want to be part of our national expansion. At EcoBox, our message is simple but powerful: Our customers get the largest selection of new and recycled moving and shipping supplies at the lowest possible cost - saving money and helping the environment at the same time.

    Why Franchise with EcoBox? Never has the market been better for the independent packaging industry. Americans are on the move. The average person moves 11 times in their lifetime, and 17 percent of all Americans (roughly 50 million people) change their address each year.

    At the same time, small businesses and home-based businesses are growing as never before. More than 99 percent of all businesses today are small businesses. And more than half of those are home-based, according to the Small Business Administration.

    EcoBox is an exciting "green" concept specializing in moving boxes and shipping supplies with an economical and ecological approach.