Many people would think that owning a courier franchise is a simple, easy way to make money. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple. It’s not simply a case of collecting, shipping and delivering a bunch of parcels. If you were the only employee, driving the only vehicle, and your route was only running between two or three small towns - maybe. Different vehicles, different drivers, different locations, and franchise standards makes for a very lucrative, but challenging opportunity

Being able to own your own courier franchise is a lucrative prospect. Remember that you are now becoming part of a group that has grown over time, and has established itself in the marketplace. The company has built a public image, and their services and quality is known by now. They have established a track record of reliability, and have probably spent a fortune on branding their name in time. Not having to do your own branding means you do not have to compete against major players - you are one of them.

You have to keep in mind that the group as a whole has established a standard you will have to adhere to. You will be expected, by both the group and the public, to perform in accordance to the existing track record. Remember that high standards in service delivery is part of the group’s marketing campaign, and a fortune is spent putting that message across. The perception was created to give them an edge in the market, but you as a franchise owner have to deliver on that promise in order to retain market leverage.

you will have to deal with personnel problems, vehicle problems, traffic situations, weather conditions that could cause flight delays, and still be able to deliver on time. A customer who pays for your services, expects the results you promised. He has already promised someone else that “the package will be there tomorrow”. The challenges you face are irrelevant to the customer.

The one advantage of being in such a demanding industry, is the high profitability. The fact that so many factors contribute to management stress, means that many people pass up on this opportunity, making it even more lucrative for those getting into it. The popularity of your courier franchise service is likely to grow, as more and more people opt for the time saving convenience it offers.

The ever increasing pace of business is bound to result in even more growth for the courier industry. And as a courier franchise service, you have to “outrun” the corporate world, and deliver documents before the next meeting. Businesses have come to depend on, and became accustomed to, the quick and timely delivery service. The expectations are high, but so are the rewards. Is it for you?