Postal franchisor enters RI

Postal franchisor enters RI

JAKARTA (JP): Mail Boxes Etc., a retail company based in San Diego of the United States, has entered Indonesia to expand its franchising in postal, telecommunications and other services.

The company, which was set up in 1980, has appointed PT MBE Indonesia Pratama as a master licenser in Indonesia.

Pratama's marketing manager, Hanna Yakin, said yesterday that interested parties will be required to pay US$24,950 to open an outlet licensed by Mail Boxes Etc. The required payment includes a franchise licensing fee of $20,000 and an opening package fee of $4,950.

In addition to the required payment, people interested in the business should be prepared to employ at least eight people to work in shifts for 24-hour operation and have between Rp 100 million ($42,590) and Rp 250 million ($106,473) to invest.

Franchisees will be required to pay the franchisor 6 percent of total revenue or profit per month, depending on whether the goods sold are franchise items, and a 2 percent promotion fee.

Outlets, required to meet a standard set by Mail Boxes Etc., will offer stationery, mailing, telecopier, telephone as well as postal and courier services.

Each outlet is expected to measure 60 meters by 120 meters and be located within one kilometer of another outlet.

"Currently there is only one outlet in South Jakarta. The number will reach 11 by the end of this year. We hope to have 100 outlets within the next five years," Hanna said.

Mail Boxes Etc., which has about 3,000 outlets in 51 countries, recorded total sales of $1.13 billion last year. (icn)