The UPS Store
| File:UPS The UPS Store Logo.svg Logo of The UPS Store | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail shipping, postal, printing, and business services |
| Predecessor | Mail Boxes Etc. |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Founder | Mail Boxes Etc. (original) |
| Headquarters | San Diego , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada |
| Products | Shipping, shredding, printing, faxing, passport photography, mailbox rentals, notarization |
Number of employees | 5,268 franchises (2021) |
| Parent | United Parcel Service |
The UPS Store—originally the United States division of Mail Boxes Etc.—is a franchised subsidiary fully owned by United Parcel Service. It delivers a variety of services including shipping, shredding, printing, faxing, passport photography, mailbox rentals, and notarization. Based in San Diego, it stands as the largest global franchisor specializing in retail shipping, postal, printing, and business service centers.
History
In March 2001, UPS purchased Mail Boxes Etc, which was established in 1980 as an alternative to traditional postal services. At the time of acquisition, Mail Boxes Etc. generated $25.7 million in yearly revenue with approximately $1.5 million in net profit. By February 2003, UPS had rebranded more than 3,000 Mail Boxes Etc. outlets under the name The UPS Store. Each location operates as an independently owned franchise within UPS’s established business framework.
Services
The UPS Store offers a comprehensive range of services including shipping, packaging, printing, shredding, notary public functions, and postal solutions designed for both individual customers and small enterprises. Franchise outlets are strategically situated near military installations, hotels, universities, shopping malls, and convention venues to optimize customer access. As of 2021, there were 5,268 UPS Store franchises throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Every location acts as a UPS shipping drop-off point where clients can submit prepaid parcels or have new shipments packed and dispatched. Printing services constitute a major source of income by providing materials such as brochures, door hangers, car magnets, flyers, yard signs, menus, manuals, and 3D printing services tailored to the needs of small to medium-sized businesses.
Close to one-third of The UPS Store’s clientele consists of small businesses with ten or fewer employees; these customers contribute roughly 75% of total revenue. This emphasis on serving small business requirements is central to the company’s strategy for leveraging its extensive franchise network to drive ongoing growth.
Awards
The UPS Store was ranked fifth among leading franchise brands in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list for both 2019 and 2020. In 2021, the brand advanced to third place in this ranking, highlighting its robust position within the postal and business services sector.