SAN DIEGO, May 8, 2009 – City Business Journals recently announced The UPS Store® network as the recipient of the sixth annual American Brand Excellence Awards in the retail category. More than 250 businesses were rated on factors such as: being easy to do business with; industry leaders; forward thinking; growing companies; ethics; growing popularity; and offering a good price for what you get in return. This recognition is in addition to Entrepreneur magazine ranking The UPS Store franchise No. 1 in the postal and business services category for the 19th consecutive year* as part of their annual “Franchise 500.”

"We are honored to receive an award that solidifies us as an industry leader,” said Tom Crockett, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. (MBE), franchisor of The UPS Store. ”It’s a testament to the strength of The UPS Store brand and the personalized customer service we are known to provide. We believe it‘s this strength that keeps us attractive for individuals looking to open their own business.

For individuals interested in joining the nation’s largest franchise network of retail shipping, postal and business services centers, go to the Franchise Opportunities page.

The UPS Store offers domestic and international shipping; full-service packing; digital printing; black-and-white and color duplications; document finishing (binding, laminating, etc.); notary; printing services (business cards, letterhead, rubber stamps, etc.); custom crating and shipping for large items (e.g., grandfather clocks, motorcycles); mailbox and postal services; office and packaging supplies; and more.

* 1990-2003 listed under the Mail Boxes Etc. brand

About The UPS Store
The UPS Store retail locations are franchised by Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a UPS subsidiary. Together The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc.® locations comprise the world's largest franchise network of retail shipping, postal, document and business service centers, with more than 6,000 locations around the world. In the United States, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. Outside the United States, locations are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees.

About City Business Journals Network

City Business Journals Network is an organization of 64 member publications located in major markets across the country. CBJN’s member publications have a combined circulation of over 750,000 and a readership approaching four million. Based in Charlotte, NC CBJN has sales offices in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. It is a subsidiary of American City Business Journals, a unit of Advance Publishing, Inc., whose properties include Condé Nast Publications and the Fairchild and Golf Digest Companies. CBJN is located at 120 West Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28202; phone 800-433-4565; www.citybiznetwork.com .

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Contact:

• Becca Andrews
  (858) 455-8982
  raandrews@mbe.com