Unishippers Global Logistics Franchise Costs, Fees & FDD

Year Business Began: 1987

Franchising Since: 1987

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas

Estimated Number of Units: 290

Franchise Description: The franchisor is Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC. The franchisor contracts with companies that provide small parcel (via air express and/or ground delivery) and freight (full truckload and/or less than truckload) shipping services, and other transportation services with third party carriers to provide these services at a discount. Franchisees are granted the right to use the Unishippers marks and set up customer accounts with certain carriers and to provide customer service on these customer accounts. Franchised businesses are conducted according to a business concept, format, and operation collectively called the Unishippers system.
Training Overview: The initial course of New Owner Training is taught in-person over approximately four days (or on-line if the franchisor thinks it is necessary, in its sole discretion). In addition to New Owner Training, franchisees and their personnel also may be required to attend Basic Sales Training and other sales training classes at the franchisor’s sole discretion. The Basic Sales Training course is taught over a period of eight days. In its discretion, the franchisor may offer additional optional training. The franchisor generally offers one or more optional advanced training classes at least once a year.

Territory Granted: Franchisees will not receive an exclusive territory. Franchisees will have the non-exclusive right to open or relocate one or more Unishippers offices in the continental United States, to solicit Unishippers sales and accept Unishippers orders, and to carry on business as a Unishippers franchise using the Unishippers marks, with the exceptions denoted in the FDD. Franchisees may not establish customer accounts for businesses that are active customer accounts of a carrier(s) or of another sales and marketing business contracting with carrier(s) as defined in the carrier contract(s) or as communicated by the franchisor.

Obligations and Restrictions: Franchisees will be held personally liable for the fulfillment of the obligations of the franchise. If the franchisee is a business entity, each individual with an interest of 5% or more in the franchise will be required to personally join the franchise agreement and sign a Guarantee and Assumption of Obligations. Spouses will not be required to personally join the franchise agreement and sign a Guarantee and Assumption of Obligations unless they hold an interest of 5% or more in the entity. Franchisees must promote, market, and sell only those services and goods described in the Franchise Agreement, except as otherwise authorized in writing by the franchisor. See FDD for limitations in the customers franchisees may sell to. Franchisees must meet certain minimum performance and other requirements under the Franchise Agreement. If franchisees fail to do so, the franchisor may terminate the Franchise Agreement.

Term of Agreement and Renewal: The length of the initial franchise term is five years. One additional five-year renewal term is available, if all requirements are met.

Financial Assistance: Currently the franchisor offers financing for the initial franchise fee for a new franchise, if the franchisee meets the requirements. Depending on their qualifications and the franchisor’s then-current financing policies, the franchisor may finance up to 100% of the initial franchise fee for a period of 60 months. In addition, the franchisor currently offers financing for start-up funding for a new franchise, if franchisees meet the requirements. Depending on the franchisee’s qualifications and the franchisor’s then-current financing policies, the franchisor may finance up to $50,000 of the start-up costs for a period of 60 months. Franchisees may not finance any part of the initial franchise fee or purchase price of the franchise with any other person, partnership, corporation, or other business entity. The franchisor will file a Uniform Commercial Code Financing Statement (UCC-1) in substantially a form attached to the Franchise Agreement to perfect its security interest in the franchise. The franchisor must be in the first lien position.

Estimated Initial Investment

Name of Fee	Low	High
Franchise Fee	$1,500	$30,000
Real Estate Deposit and Improvements	$0	$10,000
Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment and Signs	$0	$7,500
Computer Hardware and Software	$1,000	$7,500
Initial Inventory and Supplies	$250	$1,000
Utility Deposit and Costs	$50	$500
Telephone and Broadband Internet Service	$150	$500
Business Licenses and Fees	$100	$2,500
Broker Authority, BOC-3, Unified Carrier Registration, and Licensing Fees	$390	$500
Surety Bond	$600	$1,300
Automobile	$300	$4,000
Insurance (for the first year)	$525	$2,500
Organizational Expenses	$1,000	$7,500
Travel and Living Expenses (during training)	$2,500	$8,000
Additional Funds – 3 Month Initial Period	$9,000	$150,000
ESTIMATED TOTAL	$17,365	$233,300

 
Other Fees

Type of Fee	Amount
Royalty Payments: Select and National Franchises	The greater of: (i) 18.5% of gross profit margin on shipments zero to 150 pounds and all other services and products. 15% of gross profit margin on shipments over 150 pounds; or (ii) minimum royalty of $17.50 per 4 week month or $21.88 per 5 week month and increasing by that respective amount each month.
Marketing Fund Contribution	Currently 1% of gross profit margin. Phase 2: 2% Phase 3: 3%
Technology Fee	Currently $65.00 per territory per month.
User CRM Fee	Currently, $62.24 per user/per month.
Freight Fees	Fee for LTL and FTL shipments: Current per shipment fee is approximately $5.20 ($3.70 for each bill of lading (BOL) and $1.50 for each invoice on BOL). Fee assessed if a dispute is deemed invalid: $25 per shipment per week fee assessed for shipments disputed by franchisees and left unresolved for more than one month. Not applied where prohibited by law. $20.00 fee per BOL for Missing BOL. Not applied where prohibited by law.
Administrative Group Fee	Currently, 7%-26% of gross profit margin, depending on the type of shipment (UPS, LTL or TL).
New Term Fee	$5,000
Transfer Fee	$15,000 - $30,000 – new to system (as applicable); $5,000 – in-system
Amendment Fee	$1,000 - $5,000
Late Fees / Rejected Payments	10% of the amount owed to the franchisor that is past due or rejected, minimum of $250.
Interest	Lesser of 18% per year or highest rate allowed by law on all overdue amounts.
Debts to Carriers	Amounts billed by or owing to carriers on shipments, services and products.
Other Debts	Amounts billed by or owed to third parties.
Mandatory Meeting Fees	Registration fees vary between $0 and $500 per person.
Meeting Non-Attendance Fee	$1,000
Insurance Payments	Amounts imposed by insurance companies.
General Indemnification	Depends on circumstances.
Inspection Charges	Costs of further inspections after the first one.
Audit Charges	Amount of understatement, up to 18% interest (or highest rate allowed by law) and costs of audit.
Debts at Termination	Payment of all debts owed to the franchisor and others.

The above information has been compiled from the FDD of Unishippers Global Logistics. Year of FDD: 2025.
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