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History

Background of the world’s largest franchisor of retail shipping, postal, printing, and business services centers.

Company History

The UPS Store® concept was introduced in 1980 as Mail Boxes Etc.® - a convenient alternative to the post office. Throughout its evolution, it has continued to define and lead the business services category it created. In 2001, UPS® acquired Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. In 2003, the two companies introduced The UPS Store® brand. On April 7, 2003, approximately 3,000 Mail Boxes Etc. locations in the United States (at the time, nearly 90% of the domestic U.S. network) re-branded as The UPS Store. In 2012, Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. became The UPS Store, Inc. The centers remain locally owned and operated, and continue to offer a variety of packing, shipping, freight, postal, printing and business services, with convenient locations and world-class service.

Awards and Rankings (.pdf)

2024

  • Ranks #4 in Entrepreneur magazine's annual "Franchise 500" overall, retaining consistent top ten ranking for the eighth year in a row.
  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500” in the “Postal, business, printing and communication services” category for the 34th consecutive year.
  • Ranks #1 in Franchise Direct’s list of Top 100 Franchises.
  • Wins Tournament of Roses® Parade Bob Hope Humor Award for its float “The Beat of Achievement,” inspired by the Start Small, Grow Big program with Junior Achievement USA.

2023

  • Ranks #4 in Entrepreneur magazine's annual "Franchise 500" overall, retaining consistent top ten ranking for the seventh year in a row.
  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine's Postal & Business Centers category for the 33rd consecutive year.
  • Ranks #1 Forbes Best Customer Service List.
  • Ranks #20 in Entrepreneur magazine's list of Fastest Growing Franchises in the U.S. and Canada.
  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine's list of Top Franchises for Less Than $150,000.
  • Ranks #2 in Franchise Direct list of Top 100 Franchises.
  • Ranks #13 in Entrepreneur magazine's list of Top Global Franchises.

2022

  • Ranks #2 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual "Franchise 500" overall, retaining consistent top ten ranking for the sixth year in a row.
  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s Postal & Business Centers category for the 32nd consecutive year.
  • Ranks #17 in Entrepreneur magazine’s list of Top Global Franchises.
  • Ranks in Entrepreneur magazine's list of Best of the Best Franchise Brands.
  • Ranks among Entrepreneur magazine's list of brands doing the best at championing the values of diversity, equity and inclusion. 
  • Ranks #3 on Franchising.com’s Top 50 Brands by Number of Multi-Unit Franchisees.
  • Ranks #7 in Entrepreneur magazine's list of Top Franchises for Veterans.

2021

  • Ranks #3 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual "Franchise 500" overall, retaining consistent top ten ranking for the fifth year in a row.
  • Opens 5,000th United States retail location.
  • Wins Franchise Innovation Award in the category of Most Innovative Building Design, Remodel, or Prototype.
  • Sarah Casalan Bittle named President of The UPS Store, Inc.

2020

  • Receives Tournament of Roses Parade Sweepstakes Award for its float “Stories Change Our World”.
  • Participation in the 2020 Tournament of Roses® Parade, the company’s float highlights the importance of childhood literacy and the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.
  • Ranks #5 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500” overall, retaining consistent top ten ranking for the fourth year in a row.
  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s “Top 100 Franchises for Less Than $150,000”.
  • Launches new and contemporary design of its retail stores.

2019

  • Receives Tournament of Roses Parade Sweepstakes Award for its float “Books Keep Us On Our Toes”.
  • Participation in the 2019 Tournament of Roses® Parade, the company’s float highlights the importance of childhood literacy and the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.
  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” in the “Postal, business, printing and communications services” category for the 29th consecutive year.
  • Ranks #5 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500 overall, retaining consistent top ten ranking for the third year in a row.
  • Hosts first national Small Biz Challenge competitions in Los Angeles and New York.

2018

  • Celebrates 10th Anniversary of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.
  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” in the “Postal, business, printing and communications services” category for the 28th consecutive year.
  • Ranks #4 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500 overall, retaining consistent top ten ranking for the second year in a row.
  • Participation in the 2018 Tournament of Roses® Parade, the company’s float highlights the importance of childhood literacy and the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.
  • Receives Tournament of Roses Parade Extraordinaire Award for its float “Books Bring Dreams to Life”.

2017

  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” in the “Postal, business, printing and communications services” category for the 27th consecutive year.
  • Ranks #4 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500 overall, achieving the company’s highest ranking in history.
  • Opens 5,000th retail location in North America.
  • Toys for Tots Literacy Program hits $4 million in donations raised since it began.
  • Participation in the 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade, the company’s first-ever float which featured the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.
  • Receives Tournament of Roses Parade Isabella Coleman Award for its float “Books Bring Us Together,” a float designed to highlight the importance of childhood literacy.

2016

  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” in the “Postal, business, printing and communications services” category for the 26th consecutive year.
  • Ranks #25 overall in Franchise Gator’s annual ranking of top franchise opportunities.
  • Ranks #33 overall in Franchise Direct’s ranking of global franchise opportunities.

2015

  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” in the “Postal, business, printing and communications services” category for the 25th consecutive year.
  • Ranks #8 in Entrepreneur magazine’s list of “100 Veteran Friendly Franchises.”
  • Ranks #1 in the “Postal and Shipping” category in Franchise Times magazine’s annual “Top 200” listing.

2014

  • Expands 3D Print Services to nearly 100 retail locations across the United States.
  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” in the “Postal and business services” category for the 24th consecutive year.
  • Ranks #1 in American Brand Excellence Awards in the retail category.
  • Toys for Tots Literacy Program hits $3 million in donations raised since it began.

2013

  • Becomes first national retailer to test 3D printing services in its retail locations.
  • Introduces Main Street franchise model designed to support opening The UPS Store locations in small towns and rural communities within the U.S.
  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” in the “Postal and business services” category for the 23rd consecutive year.

2012

  • Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. (MBE) officially re-named as The UPS Store, Inc.
  • Tim Davis named president of The UPS Store, Inc.
  • Toys for Tots Literacy Program hits $2 million in donations raised since it began.
  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” in the “Postal and business services” category for the 22nd consecutive year.

2011

  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” in the “Postal and business services” category for the 21st consecutive year.

2010

  • Ranks #1 in City Business Journals “American Brand Excellence Awards”, in the retail category, for the second consecutive year, and 11th overall, up from 15th in 2009.
  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” in the “Postal and business services” category for the 20th consecutive year.

2009

  • Italy’s Fineffe Group acquires the Mail Boxes Etc. international network outside the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada.
  • City Business Journals honors The UPS Store network as the recipient of the sixth annual American Brand Excellence Awards in the retail category.
  • Toys for Tots Literacy Program wins PR News’ Platinum PR Award for Best Community Relations Campaign.

2008

  • Expands existing sponsorship with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and establishes the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.

2007

  • Named the Most Competitive Retailer for 2007 by National Retail Federation Foundation® and Kanbay Research Institute (KRI).

2006

  • Launches the "Design Dale’s Ride" coloring contest, giving children ages 5 -12 a chance to design Dale Jarrett’s The UPS Store/Toys for Tots race car.
  • Latin America operations expands with the opening of the first center in Brazil.

2005

  • Celebrates company’s 25th anniversary.
  • More than 260 Mail Boxes Etc. locations in Canada re-brand as The UPS Store.
  • Signs on as national sponsor for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation.

2004

  • Opens 5,000th worldwide location.
  • Announces new master license agreement in Mexico, with plans to expand to 300 centers in the Mexican market over the next 10 years.

2003

  • More than 3,000 Mail Boxes, Etc.® locations in the United States re-brand as The UPS Store®.

2002

  • Stuart Mathis becomes president.
  • 1,000th international location opens in Berlin, Germany.

2001

  • Acquired by UPS® (www.ups.com).
  • Introduces new tagline, "There’s help in here. Real help."™

2000

  • Opens 4,000th retail location worldwide.
  • Opens centers in Sweden and the Republic of Korea.
  • Announces ValueCard™ program for corporate clients, to provide business support services and simplified billing processes for "road warriors."

1999

  • Introduces a new center design and décor package to its global franchise system with an updated floor plan, color scheme and high-impact graphics.
  • Introduces technology platform to U.S. franchisees that links network technology with point-of-sale (POS) computer systems, enhancing business capabilities and improving efficiency.
  • Opens locations in Tokyo and Vienna.
  • Features winner of the "See Your Small Business on the Super Bowl Search II" during Super Bowl XXXIII commercial.

1998

  • Establishes We Deliver Dreams Foundation to fulfill dreams of individual children who are victims of abuse, neglect, poverty, violence or illness.
  • Signs master license agreement for Japan.
  • Features winner of the "See Your Small Business on the Super Bowl Search" during Super Bowl XXXII commercial, testifying to MBE’s commitment to the small-office/home-office (SOHO) market.
  • Opens 3,000th retail location in the United States.

1997

  • Acquired by US Office Products (USOP).
  • 500th international location opens in Philippines.
  • Debuts tagline, "Making Business Easier. Worldwide℠" during Super Bowl XXXI commercial.
  • CEO A.W. DeSio retires, named Chairman Emeritus.

1996

  • Advertises on the Super Bowl for the first time.
  • Grows to 3,000 retail locations worldwide.
  • James H. Amos, Jr. joins the company as president.

1995

  • Launches first national ad campaign, "It's not what we do, it's how we do it.®"

1994

  • 100th international location opens in Canada.
  • Establishes national media fund.

1993

  • Grows to 2,000 retail locations worldwide.
  • Introduces No-limit Shipping Program (now called TotalShipping™).

1990

  • Grows to 1,000 retail locations worldwide.

1988

  • First international location opens in Canada.
  • Signs Canada as first master license agreement.

1986

  • Name changed to Mail Boxes Etc., Inc.
  • Becomes a publicly traded company.

1982

  • Sells first area franchise.

1981

  • A. W. DeSio becomes President.

1980

  • U.S. Mail Boxes founded by Gerald Aul, Pat Senn and Robert Diaz.
  • Name changed to Mail Boxes Etc. USA.
  • Herb Goffstein becomes president.
  • Sells first franchise in Carlsbad (San Diego County), CA.

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