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PACK & SEND are specialists in providing professional packing solutions and delivery, courier and freight services.
Our store-based one-stop shop for collection, packing and delivery to anywhere in the world, is unrivalled in the UK and used by individuals and businesses alike.
PACK & SEND is an Associate member of the BFA.
How much does a PACK & SEND franchise cost?
The total cost of a PACK & SEND franchise is between £100K to £120K which includes license fee (£29,500), all set up costs (£55,000) and working capital (£15,000-£35,000) estimated to get your store to break-even, and hence self-financing from then on.
Franchisees would need to have at least 30%-50% as liquid funds and we have a good relationship with many of the major banks, where 50:50 funding is often available.
We also have a Bursary Scheme which can provide a minimum of £10,000 and up to £20,000 of interest free financial assistance towards the set up costs of your store (subject to conditions). Ask us for further information on this.
PACK & SEND couple find success in franchising
Helen & Colin McDonald
Southampton
Franchisees: Helen & Colin McDonald Territory: Southampton Franchise: PACK & SEND
What did you do before you ran your franchise?
Helen was a police officer for almost 29 years undertaking roles from an area beat officer to scenes of crime investigator amongst other things. Colin was an area manager with several breweries up to 2007 – managing between 40 and 60 pubs in England and the Welsh borders. He also managed two supermarkets for the Co-op for eighteen months before loining PACK & SEND.
What made you decide to work together?
The couple had discussed what would happen when Helen retired from the police as she would still be relatively young and had considered a bed and breakfast at one stage. However, just as Helen was due to retire in March 2012, the opportunity arose to purchase the PACK & SEND in Southampton franchise from the previous franchisee who was selling due to ill health. Colin knew the business, the existing customer base and the financial performance, so the decision making process was relatively straight forward . Being a couple who own the business ensures that you both have the same goal to succeed .
What appealed to you about the brand?
The PACK & SEND business has been trading for 20 years since its launch in Australia and, as Colin was already involved in the franchise, the couple could see the potential growth in the business and the existing customer base in Southampton.
Whilst it is still new to the UK, the PACK & SEND proposition is unique in the market which makes raising awareness of the business in the local area the biggest challenge for franchisees.
The variety of jobs from high value antiques, sentimental family heirlooms, to sending 3 metre long ceiling panels for super yachts, means every enquiry brings a different challenge and tremendous satisfaction when you provide the customer with a tailor made solution.
How do you work together?
Deciding how Helen would slot into the business was a challenge as Colin already had a role and Helen had to be inducted whilst keeping the business running. As a couple we have allocated tasks that use our personal strengths. Helen’s interpersonal skills, developed over many years of helping and serving the general public, are focussed on the customer facing parts of the operation in store, on the phone, through email and customer feedback . Colin spent many years appointing and advising self-employed publicans on how to grow and manage their businesses so these areas of the operation fall under his remit. Both of them get involved in packing though Helen wisely ‘delegates’ the heavier boxes and parcels to the other staff members boxes around the store!
Good communication between each other and no assumptions are key to success. The biggest challenge when working together is to achieve a sensible work /life balance. As with most small businesses, the current economic climate makes sales and profit growth very time-consuming but, whilst there are days that are just too long, working together means they both know what needs to be done.
What advice would you give to other couples considering franchising?
Any couple considering running their own business must be honest with each other and be prepared to see a different person to the one they see in a home environment.
The plus points are that you are your own bosses in control of your own destiny and will reap the rewards of your business success. You will find your partner has qualities that you never realised they had.
Life in a PACK & SEND store is never dull! Our retail stores specialise in the packing and international and domestic shipping of items that are fragile, large, awkward or valuable and we are proud of our claim to be able to send anything anywhere. From 12th century Tang dynasty vases to Mars Ice Cream bars to relocating a complete laboratory to the US; our stores have yet to receive a request that they could not provide a packing and shipping solution for.
So if you are looking for busy days that are always different, then PACK & SEND could be for you.
PACK & SEND franchise chosen as specialist packer for Caterham F1 asset sale
PACK & SEND, the UK’s largest specialist packer and international shipper, is pleased to announce that it has been chosen to undertake the secure distribution of the assets of Caterham F1 Racing.
PACK & SEND - the leading packing and shipping specialists in the UK
PACK & SEND is very different from a simple courier or shipping company. Our store-based one-stop shop for collection, packing and delivery to anywhere in the world is unrivalled in the UK and used by individuals and businesses alike.
We are specialists in providing professional packing solutions and delivery, courier and freight services to small and large businesses.
Whilst there is no such thing as a typical job; we are often handling artwork or antiques, eBay buyer and seller shipments, visiting tourist's needs, moves for international students studying in the UK, and even householder's bespoke shipping requirements.
We also arrange partial house and flat moves or temporary office moves and our international removals service can be tailored to your needs.
Established Australian business - UK Expansion
Though PACK & SEND are still relatively new to this country, we have already made our mark in the marketplace and we are fast being recognised as the leading packing and shipping specialists in the UK. That is not to say that we are a start-up business!
In our native Australia we are a national brand who has been operating since 1993 with over 120 stores, and our annual freight volume there makes us the third largest shipper in the market.
We are currently searching for budding entrpreneurs or those looking for a fresh business challenge. Sound like you?
PACK & SEND combines the early adopter benefits of a relatively new opportunity with the confidence of a proven business model.
Our franchisees run their own store helping to meet the sometimes complicated and unique needs of customers.
Whether it’s an artist sending valuable work to a buyer abroad, a data centre moving fragile server units, a trader shipping classic car parts, a grandfather clock collector’s latest purchase or simply somebody’s personal effects for shipment, our customers are continually challenging our promise that we send ‘Anything, Anywhere!’ So, if you like a business where no two days are alike, then PACK & SEND is for you.
With well over 20 years of growth since our launch in Australia, higher UK sales than ever before and virtually no direct competitors, we are proud of our unique business proposition. We are accredited by the British Franchise Association (bfa) and we have previously been Australian Franchisor of the Year.
With sales through the UK store network growing faster than ever we are keen for more high-calibre candidates to join our team!
PACK & SEND provides all franchisees with comprehensive introductory training as well as ongoing support to ensure you have all of the tools and resources to hand that will aid you in the day to day running of your business.
Our training includes:
Sales and marketing programmes
Financial management
Bespoke EPOS for sales and job management
Specialist packing techniques
Shipment consignment and management
Online operations manuals
Our team is always right behind you and will be happy to assist with any queries, concerns or opportunities that you may need support with. We will even work in your store with you at the start of trading to help you build a rewarding and successful business!
Who’s ideal for PACK & SEND?
AT PACK & SEND we are looking for high quality team players who are supportive and collaborative in their approach to work.
Running one of our stores requires the ability to engage with people, understand the principles of selling in the customer relationship and have a strong belief in the importance of superb service which is a key differentiator for PACK & SEND
Our Franchisees come from a broad range of backgrounds though the one thing they all share is a passion for helping people and creating long-term business relationships. We have exiting franchisees who have joined the PACK & SEND franchise opportunity from having owned and run a McDonalds Restaurant and Domino's Pizza Franchise, to a member of the HQ managment team of another global franchise.
We also have current business owners, former corporate managers, previous blue-collar workers and Forces leavers amongst our growing team of franchisees.
If you have the qualities and skills to become a successful PACK & SEND franchisee, then we want to hear from you.
Download franchise prospectus
By filling in the form below you will be able to download a copy of the PACK & SEND prospectus.
This will provide you with more detailed information on the franchise opportunity and allow you to contact them direct with any questions you may have.
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Helen & Colin McDonald
Our franchisees run their own store helping to meet the sometimes complicated and unique needs of customers.
Sales and marketing programmes
Running one of our stores requires the ability to engage with people, understand the principles of selling in the customer relationship and have a strong belief in the importance of superb service which is a key differentiator for PACK & SEND