The UPS Store was introduced as Mail Boxes Etc. in 1980. The UPS Store branding was introduced in 2003, two years after UPS acquired Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. In 2012, the franchisor Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., which had been operating under UPS since the acquisition, changed its name to The UPS Store, Inc. Rebranding of all the former Mail Boxes Etc. happened at that time as well.
How Much Does a The UPS Store Franchise Cost?
The estimated financial range for setting up and operating a traditional location of The UPS Store in the United States for the first three months, ranges from $185,243 to $608,975. The data in the table below is from The UPS Store’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), dated 2025. The estimates are provided by The UPS Store and are based off of its years of experience in franchising its system.
| Name of Fee | Low | High |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $9,950 | $29,950 |
| Initial Marketing Plan Fee | $4,000 | $7,500 |
| Design Fee | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Site Survey | $1,900 | $3,500 |
| Center Development Fee | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| Initial Training Fees | $5,400 | $8,500 |
| Travel and Living Expenses While Training (per person) | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| Site Rent and Security Deposit | $1,000 | $18,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements; Construction Costs; Signage; Furniture and Decor Items | $69,520 | $356,934 |
| Computer Hardware/Installation/ Freight | $18,365 | $20,196 |
| Digital Media | $2,325 | $2,325 |
| Optional Keyless Entry | $0 | $944 |
| Annual Technology Development and Support Fee | $2,304 | $2,418 |
| Software | $3,489 | $5,489 |
| Printer Lease | $544 | $1,749 |
| Other Equipment | $5,566 | $38,031 |
| Start-Up Supplies | $6,180 | $9,155 |
| Utility Deposits | $200 | $3,000 |
| Insurance | $1,000 | $15,000 |
| Additional Funds - 3 months | $40,000 | $70,000 |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL | $185,243 | $608,975 |
Like any similar business or franchise, the opening costs for The UPS Store include rent or the cost of acquiring real estate, renovation and/or construction costs, equipment, signage, professional fees (which can include license, accounting and lawyer fees), and more. Variations in initial investment depend on area real estate costs, the size or type of the location being opened, the construction that needs to be done, and additional factors such as the amount of traffic the store gets in its opening months.
Types of The UPS Store Franchises
In the case of The UPS Store, the franchisor primarily grants franchises for centers to be operated at traditional and non-traditional locations.
Traditional locations are located in highly visible spots in strip shopping centers or in high foot-traffic downtown areas. Non-traditional locations include outlets in colleges, universities, hotels, resorts, military bases, convention centers, airports, self-storage facilities, other retailers, office buildings, bus or train stations, and outlet or regional malls. Non-traditional locations typically have a lower initial investment than traditional locations.
The franchisor also offers a rural program (also known as the “Main Street” franchise model) for centers to be developed and operated in a rural area or small town/city community. For franchises that qualify for the rural program, the opening costs will be reduced by the franchisor.
Financial Requirements to Own a The UPS Store Franchise
Beyond the money needed to open and run the franchise for the first three months, prospective The UPS Store franchisees also need to have at least $60,000 in liquid assets.
The liquid assets requirement is the amount of money a franchisor requires a franchisee have in savings and be able to access quickly in case of emergencies and unexpected situations when starting the business. It also accounts for regular living expenses until the franchise unit begins turning a profit large enough for the franchisee to garner an adequate take-home wage. According to the franchisor, this requirement “can be met through any combination of cash, bonds, stocks, mutual funds, retirement accounts or other non-borrowed source.”
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As with all franchise purchases, you should review the figures you obtain from the franchisor carefully with a professional business advisor before making the final decision to purchase the franchise.
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For more details on the opening costs of a The UPS Store franchise, please see The UPS Store FDD profile.