Mail Boxes Etc.®, Inc. WHICH is now owned by UPS- United Parcel Services, is the world's largest franchisor of retail shipping, postal and business service centers. The UPS Store® and Mail Boxes Etc. together comprise more than 5,900 independently owned locations around the world, providing convenient, value-added business services to consumers, and to the small-office/home-office market. The services provided by The UPS Store® and Mail Boxes Etc.® locations have been adapted to meet the needs and market conditions in various countries and cultures around the world. No matter where you are, you can count on our locations for all of your shipping and business needs.
There are four Mail Boxes Etc. franchise stores in Costa Rica. (Escazu, Curridabat, Santa Ana, Playa Langosta) Our services include import/export, customs, printing, fax, internet, packaging, packaging supplies and office supplies. Through our mailbox services we offer a PO Box and Physical address in Miami so our customers can receive mail, magazines, and packages. Our customers use our Miami UPS address as if it was their own address in the USA. We combine all of our shipments together and send them via UPS air Cargo directly to San Jose. From there, we take care of customs if applicable, and deliver all items to our store for pickup or delivery. All mail and magazines are delivered the same day as our flights and packages that are retained in customs take anywhere from 2 to 5 days. At the end of each month we charge our customers based on the combined weight that they bring in for the month. MBE is also a supermarket for couriers. Our customers are able to choose between Fedex, UPS, DHL, TNT, and IBC so that they are assured they are getting the best deal when they have to send something.
By understanding our customers' needs and challenges, we help you to do more while saving time and money. The UPS Store™ and Mail Boxes Etc.® locations offer businesses and consumers a wide range of products and services available in one convenient location. Our range of products and services includes:
i. Important date for MBE Latin America
• 1980 Mail Boxes Etc. Founded.• 1986 MBE went public – listed on the NASDAQ.
• 1988 MBE Opened it first center in Canada.
• 1991 Outlined plan for international development.
• 1997 MBE issued the master license for Central America to Christopher Thompson and Fernando Alegre.
• 1998 The First pilot center in Central America opens in Panamá city.
• 1999 MBE opens its first center in Costa Rica.
• 1999 MBE announces new strategic alliances with e-bay, iship.com and the United States Postal Service.
• 2000 MBE opens its first center in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
• 2001 UPS purchases Mail Boxes Etc.
• 2002 MBE opens its first center in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
• 2006 MBE opens model center for Costa Rica in Escazu.
• 2007 MBE opens #25th center in Central America in Panama.
ii. In the world and Latin America
History
The Mail Boxes Etc. concept was introduced in 1980 as 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 and began offering lower (around 20% on average) UPS-direct shipping rates. The stores remain locally owned and operated, and continue to offer a variety of shipping, postal and business services, with convenient locations and world-class service.
Growth
In the year following the re-branding, Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. sold more than 500 new The UPS Store locations in the United States – a record for the company, and phenomenal growth for a quarter-century-old franchise. Special-venue site development also has grown steadily with locations on college campuses and military bases, as well as in convention centers, hotels, and urban renewal areas/empowerment zones. Special-venue sites create an opportunity to provide services to consumers, regardless of where they live, work or travel.
In addition to its domestic network, Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. has expanded globally through master license agreements, with locations in 40 countries. Historically, the services provided by The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations have been adaptable to the needs and market conditions of various countries and cultures around the world. In 2004, the company crossed the threshold of 5,000 locations worldwide. Throughout the company’s historic growth, one thing has remained constant: the commitment of its franchisees to providing personalized and convenient business solutions and a world-class customer experience.
Industry Recognition
In 2008, Entrepreneur magazine’s annual "Franchise 500," a ranking of franchise opportunities based on factors such as financial strength, growth rate and size, rated The UPS Store/Mail Boxes Etc. #1 in the postal and business services category for the 18th consecutive year. Additionally, the company has a rich tradition of award-winning marketing and public relations campaigns, among other accolades.
Entrepreneur
#1 Franchisor in Postal and Business Services category, 1991 - 1999
#7 in Franchise 500, 1999
#9 in Franchise 500, 1998
#11 in Franchise 500, 1997
#8 in Franchise 500, 1996
#13 in Top 30 Fastest Growing Franchises, 1996
#7 in Franchise 500, 1995
#11 in Top 30 Fastest Growing Franchises, 1995
#5 in Franchise 500, 1994 & 1993
#10 in Top 30 Fastest Growing Franchises, 1994 & 1993
#16 in Franchise 500, 1992
Entrepreneur International
#10 in America's Top 200 Global Franchises
#1 Business Service Franchise in the World, 1998
#9 in Top 200 International Franchises, 1998
#2 Business Service Franchises, 1997
#7 in Top 200 International Franchises, 1996 - 1997
#1 Business Service Franchis in the World, 1996
Entrepreneur Vol. II, Num. 1, 457 Franquicias En Mexico
#3 of 457, 1994
Franchise Times
#8 in Top 200 Franchises, 1997
Success
#18 in Franchise Gold 100, 1998
#39 in Franchise Gold 100, 1997
#9 in Franchise Gold 100, 1995
#25 in Franchise Gold 100, 1994
#10 in Franchise Gold 100, 1993 Best Known Companies for Brand Awareness, 1992
#2 in Top 10 Business Service Franchises, 1991
#18 in Top 100 Franchises, 1990
Forbes - 200 Best Small Companies
#150, 1993
#103, 1992
#90, 1991
Black Enterprise
Top 20 Best Franchises, 1996 & 1995
#10 in The Franchise 50, 1993
#16 in The Franchise 50, 1991
Advertising Age
Top 100 Marketers in the U.S., 1996
Income Opportunities
#56 in The Franchise Platinum 200, 1996
California Business
#85 in California's 100 Best Small Companies, 1991
Women's Enterprise
100 Best Franchises for Women, 1990
OTC Review
#70 in 100 Best Managed Companies on NASDAQ, 1990