Is The UPS Store right for you?
Established Scale
5,503 locations system-wide with steady net unit growth of 94, 131, and 138 stores in 2023-2025 respectively.
Recurring Revenue
Mailbox services and repeat small-business customers provide predictable revenue streams alongside transactional shipping and print sales.
Proven Training
197 hours of structured initial training plus ongoing operational, marketing, and peer-network support.
About The UPS Store
The UPS Store is a retail service franchise offering mail and parcel receiving, packaging, shipping through multiple carriers, printing, copying, notary, office supplies, and related business services. Targeted at small business owners, SOHO operators, and busy consumers, the concept operates from fixed retail locations and leverages the scale of parent United Parcel Service, Inc. As of year-end 2025 the system included 5,503 locations, 5,487 of which were franchised.
Franchisees operate a neighborhood retail center that functions as a one-stop business and personal services hub. Daily operations center on high-volume shipping and receiving, print and document services, mailbox rentals, and ancillary offerings such as packaging and notary work. The model relies on standardized processes, proprietary software, and mandatory purchasing from the franchisor and approved suppliers to maintain brand consistency and service reliability.
United Parcel Service, Inc. (“UPS”) is the parent entity of The UPS Store, Inc.
The business model
How a The UPS Store territory actually makes money at the unit level.
Initial Franchise Fee
$39,950 for a first Center; $19,950 for each additional Center. An $8,000 initial application fee and $7,700 Center development fee also apply.
Ongoing Fees
5 percent royalty on gross sales, 3.5 percent combined national and local marketing fees, plus an annual technology development and support fee of $2,868.
Investment Range
Total initial investment for a new traditional center ranges from $222,368 to $606,081. The range includes franchise fees, build-out, equipment, training, and three months of working capital.
Supply Chain Structure
Franchisees must purchase approximately 95 percent of goods and services from the franchisor, UPS, or approved vendors. The franchisor earns revenue on these sales and administrative fees.
Territory Rights
Non-exclusive territory with no guaranteed minimum size. Franchisor reserves rights to open non-traditional sites and use alternative distribution channels inside the territory.
Financial Performance
the financial-performance disclosure discloses average and median adjusted gross sales for 5,058 qualifying traditional centers in 2023-2025, plus performance of the top and bottom deciles and the percentage of centers exceeding the average.
Quick facts
Initial franchise fee
$39,950
Total investment range
$222,368 to $606,081
Royalty
5.00% of gross revenue
Marketing fund
3.50% of gross revenue
Founded
n/a
Headquarters
n/a
Active US franchisees
12384
Total US units
14919
What does a successful The UPS Store operator look like?
Prospectus Maximus has profiled active The UPS Store operators across multiple proprietary dimensions. The patterns the math finds are what your match assessment scores you against. Not a self-reported survey. A data-backed direction-of-fit measurement.
Take the assessment to see exactly where you align with the The UPS Store pattern, and where you don't.
Training & support
What the franchisor + parent platform provide. And what they don't.
What's provided
- +Multi-phased program totaling 197 hours: web-based pre-training, In-Store Experience (10 days), University Business Course (5 days), and Print Services Training (3 days).
- +Curriculum covers financial management, sales and customer experience, POS systems, marketing, mailbox and USPS services, UPS shipping, packaging, print production, freight, and commerce-ready services.
- +Training delivered via e-learning, certified training centers, and regional training locations.
- +Primary operator (or certified operator for multi-center owners) must successfully complete all required modules.
- +Ongoing support includes telephone and electronic consultation, periodic supplemental training, regional workshops, networking meetings, and a franchisee convention every 24 months.
- +National Advertising Fund and Marketing Advisory Council support local and national marketing execution.
Honest disclosure: what's NOT provided
Financial management training is required but delivered by an approved third-party vendor at the franchisee's expense. The franchisor does not provide training on unrelated subjects such as technical pesticide application.
Multi-unit growth path
Approximately 11.7 percent of operators own multiple units. The initial franchise fee drops to $19,950 for second and subsequent centers. Multi-center owners must designate a certified operator who completes the full training program for each location. The the filed disclosures and operator data indicate that experienced franchisees can add units after demonstrating operational proficiency at the first center.
Capital + financing paths
Most operators use one of these four paths to fund the initial investment.
Third-Party Lenders
Franchisees commonly utilize SBA 7(a) loans and conventional bank financing. The brand is SBA registry approved although specific terms are arranged directly with lenders.
Franchisor Incentives
Select incentive programs may reduce or waive certain fees for qualified new franchisees. Details are provided during the approval process.
Equipment & Build-out Financing
Many franchisees finance leasehold improvements, signage, and equipment packages through vendor or third-party leasing programs.
Personal Capital & Partnerships
Prospective owners frequently combine personal funds, retirement rollovers, or equity partners to meet the $222,000-$606,000 investment range.
Process timeline: inquiry → grand opening
Typical 12-16 week path from first call to launching your first customer route.
Application & Approval
Submit application, pay initial application fee, and complete discovery process. Approval typically granted within weeks.
Site Selection
Identify and secure retail location with franchisor site approval and site survey (cost $2,400-$3,500).
Design & Build-out
Complete Laser Lite or approved design package, contractor bidding, and construction of the center.
Initial Training
Attend 197 hours of required training covering all operational disciplines before opening.
Grand Opening
Launch the center with provided marketing materials and local marketing support.
First 90 Days
Operate under close support from area franchisee or franchisor field team while building customer base.
Ongoing Operations
Participate in required networking meetings, utilize ongoing training resources, and report monthly sales.
Match assessment
Are you a The UPS Store match?
12 questions. Math-first. No high-pressure sales call afterwards. Just your match assessment and the reasoning behind it.
Start nowCommon questions
How much does a The UPS Store franchise cost?
Total initial investment ranges from $222,368 to $606,081 according to the investment disclosure of the the filed disclosures. This includes a $39,950 franchise fee for the first center, build-out, equipment, training, and three months of working capital.
What is the royalty fee for The UPS Store?
The royalty is 5 percent of gross sales. Franchisees also pay 3.5 percent in combined marketing fees and an annual technology support fee of $2,868.
Does The UPS Store provide financial performance representations?
Yes. the financial-performance disclosure discloses average and median adjusted gross sales for 5,058 qualifying traditional centers over three years plus decile performance and the percentage of centers exceeding the average. Net profit figures are not provided.
How many The UPS Store locations are there?
As of year-end 2025 the system operated 5,503 locations, 5,487 of which were franchised. The network has shown steady net growth of 94 to 138 units per year from 2023 through 2025.
Is territory exclusivity provided?
No. The franchise agreement grants a non-exclusive territory with no minimum size. The franchisor reserves the right to open non-traditional sites and use alternative channels inside the territory.
How long is The UPS Store initial training program?
The required new franchisee training totals 197 hours delivered through e-learning, in-store experience, university coursework, and print-specific training.
What is the difference between The UPS Store and a UPS franchise?
The UPS Store is an independently owned retail service center authorized to offer UPS shipping along with printing, mailbox, and business services. It is distinct from company-operated UPS retail locations or authorized shipping outlets.
Can I own multiple The UPS Store locations?
Yes. Roughly 11.7 percent of operators own more than one unit. The franchise fee is reduced to $19,950 for additional centers and each location requires a certified operator who completes full training.
What do The UPS Store franchisees say in reviews?
Operator data shows an average of 22 years of management experience among current owners. Prospective buyers should request the list of current and former franchisees from the the filed disclosures to conduct their own due diligence.
How long does it take to open a The UPS Store?
The typical timeline from franchise agreement to opening is 4 to 7 months, depending on site acquisition, permitting, build-out, and completion of the 197-hour training requirement.
Does The UPS Store require prior retail experience?
No specific prior experience is mandated. The comprehensive 197-hour training program and ongoing field support are designed to equip new operators with required skills.
Are there financing options for The UPS Store franchise?
The concept is eligible for SBA 7(a) financing. Additional options include equipment leasing, vendor financing, and select franchisor fee incentives for qualified candidates.
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