Australian franchise set to expand across Europe

Pack & Send, which provides packaging and freight forwarding services through a network of retail stores, is concentrating on recruiting Master Franchise partners for Germany, Ireland, Italy, France, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands. The company, however, is keen to expand its brand across Europe and welcomes applications for countries and territories it is not specifically targeting.

Founded in 1993 Pack & Send has over 15 years of experience in the retail logistics services industry and has built up one of the largest franchise networks in Australia. Pack & Send stores, which are owned and operated by franchise owners, are located on the high street and provide a convenient personalised and value-added service to customers wanting to send a package. Fundamental to its one-stop-shop service is a professional custom packaging service, with expertise in handling fragile, large, awkward and valuable items.

Furthermore, when customers use a Pack & Send store they have access to services in other regions and countries and with more and more people choosing to travel, study and live abroad plus a growing number of businesses that frequently deal with overseas companies, the need for an efficient service to send and receive goods is ever increasing.

The initial investment to establish a Master Franchise will vary depending on territory size and potential (minimum investment €500,000) and includes use of Pack & Send resources including:

• GlobalMaster - a proprietary point-of-sale software system
• Packnet - dynamic intranet site that is a critical support tool for franchise owners
• Website - initial establishment of the country website
• Marketing Resources - a comprehensive range of tools and resources to assist franchise owners in maximising the effectiveness of their marketing
• Manual - a library of documents that detail every item of the business system and work procedures
• Training - comprehensive initial and ongoing training programmes

The resources and others, combined with the company's significant know-how on such areas as branding, territories, store sites, store fit-out, national clients, store financial management, packaging techniques, franchise owner support, the freight supplier partnerships - all comprise valuable intellectual property available to the Master Franchise partner.

Pack & Send is looking to recruit Master Franchise partners who are English speaking entrepreneurs able to demonstrate a financial and commercial ability to develop a network of Pack & Send stores throughout their territory. Ideally applicants will be highly motivated individuals, intent on developing a substantial business and achieving significant levels of performance. Additionally, candidates will need to have an attitude and approach consistent with Pack & Send's vision, mission and brand values.

Pack & Send is an award winning business system, being recognised by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Franchise Council of Australia as the 2007 Franchisor of the Year.