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History
The Mail Boxes Etc.® concept was introduced in 1980 as an 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 MBE. In 2003, the two companies introduced The UPS Store program to allow a re-branding of the U.S. network and also set lower maximum retail prices for UPS shipping services. Together, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. centers comprise more than 5,900 franchised locations around the world.

Milestones

2008
  • Ranks #1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” in the postal and business services category for the 18th consecutive year.

2007
  • Named the Most Competitive Retailer for 2007 by National Retail Federation Foundation and Kanbay Research Institute (KRI)

2006
  • Launches the "Design Dale’s Ride" coloring contest, giving children ages 5 -12 a chance to design Dale Jarrett’s The UPS Store/Toys for Tots racecar
  • Latin America operations expands with the opening of the first center in Brazil

2005
  • Celebrates company’s 25th anniversary.
  • More than 265 Mail Boxes Etc. locations in Canada re-brand as The UPS Store
  • Announces master license agreement in India, marks first expansion of The UPS Store brand outside North America
  • Signs on as national sponsor for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation

2004
  • Opens 5,000th worldwide location
  • Announces new master license agreement in Mexico, with plans to expand to 300 centers in the Mexican market over the next 10 years

2003
  • More than 3,000 Mail Boxes Etc. locations in the United States re-brand as The UPS Store

2002
  • Stuart Mathis becomes president
  • 1,000th international location opens in Berlin, Germany

2001
  • Acquired by UPS® (www.ups.com)
  • Introduces new tagline, "There’s help in here. Real help."™

2000
  • Opens 4,000th location worldwide
  • Opens centers in Sweden and the Republic of Korea
  • Announces ValueCard™ program for corporate clients, to provide business support services and simplified billing processes for "road warriors"

1999
  • Introduces a new center design and décor package to its global franchise system with an updated floor plan, color scheme and high-impact graphics
  • Introduces technology platform to U.S. franchisees that links network technology with point-of-sale (POS) computer systems, enhancing business capabilities and improving efficiency
  • Opens locations in Tokyo and Vienna
  • Features winner of the "See Your Small Business on the Super Bowl Search II" during Super Bowl XXXIII commercial

1998
  • Establishes We Deliver Dreams Foundation to fulfill dreams of individual children who are victims of abuse, neglect, poverty, violence or illness
  • Signs master license agreement for Japan
  • Features winner of the "See Your Small Business on the Super Bowl Search" during Super Bowl XXXII commercial, testifying to MBE’s commitment to the small-office/home-office (SOHO) market
  • Opens 3,000th location in the United States

1997
  • Acquired by US Office Products (USOP)
  • 500th international location opens in Philippines
  • Debuts tagline, "Making Business Easier. WorldwideSM" during Super Bowl XXXI commercial
  • CEO A.W. DeSio retires, named Chairman Emeritus

1996
  • Advertises on the Super Bowl for the first time
  • Grows to 3,000 franchise locations worldwide
  • James H. Amos, Jr. joins the company as president

1995
  • Launches first national ad campaign, "It's not what we do, it's how we do it"®

1994
  • 100th international location opens in Canada
  • Establishes national media fund

1993
  • Grows to 2,000 franchise locations worldwide
  • Introduces No-limit Shipping Program (now called TotalShipping™)

1990
  • Grows to 1,000 franchise locations worldwide

1988
  • First international location opens in Canada
  • Signs Canada as first master license agreement

1986
  • Name changed to Mail Boxes Etc.
  • Becomes a publicly traded company

1982
  • Sells first area franchise

1981
  • A. W. DeSio becomes President

1980
  • U.S. Mail Boxes founded by Gerald Aul, Pat Senn and Robert Diaz
  • Name changed to Mail Boxes Etc. USA
  • Herb Goffstein becomes president
  • Sells first franchise in Carlsbad (San Diego County), California

 
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MBE is a UPS® company. The UPS Store® locations are independently owned and operated by franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. in the USA and by its international master licensees and their franchisees outside of the USA. Services and hours of operation may vary by location.
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