Yourcourier franchise enquiry pack

Fastway was established in 1983 with the purpose of providing an economically priced courier service between Napier and Hastings in New Zealand. Just 12 months later, the business became the first ever transport company to enter into franchising.

In 2002, Fastway began trading in Ireland and quickly gained full national coverage.

Today, Fastway is the proud winner of several franchise and industry awards. Our multi-award winning company now has over 1,200 franchisees and a group turnover of $455 million per annum.

About Fastway Couriers

At Fastway, our approach to courier services is unique. Our Courier Franchisees are owner-operators and offer a cost-effective, timetabled courier service - just like a bus or a train service, Fastway customers know exactly when their local courier will be in their area and can have their parcels ready by the designated time.

We provide a reliable, local and national distribution service across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Fastway’s prepaid courier label system enables our customers to enjoy savings on their usual freight costs, as well as providing a simple system free of any extra paperwork or add-on charges. Prepaid labels come in a variety of colours to easily differentiate the cost to send parcels between locations.

Backed up by the latest computer technology and internet parcel tracking facilities, Fastway Couriers is the ideal choice for small to medium sized businesses who send goods on a regular basis, and want their parcels delivered quickly, but not immediately.

Our customers draw comfort from the fact that Fastway’s prices are consistent and competitive, without sacrificing quality of service.

Our Market Niche

Fastway Couriers is proud to be able to give men and women from all walks of life the opportunity to own and run their own successful business.

The Fastway franchise business model has three distinct tiers within each country, each with a different level of expertise and responsibility as set out below.

Master FranchiseeIndependently owned and operated, the Master Franchisee establishes and operates the Fastway system for an entire country providing management services, training and support to all Regional and Courier Franchisees in that country.

Regional FranchiseeEach Regional Franchisee operates an independent business, servicing an exclusive territory, providing depot facilities, sales support, training and administrative systems to their Courier Franchisees.

Courier FranchiseesOur Courier Franchisees operate at the coal-face of our business, carrying out the actual courier work from their vehicle, maintaining customer relationships and providing pickup and delivery services within their exclusive territory.

Our Franchise Structure

Fastway Courier Franchisees are much more than just vehicle drivers, they are motivated, self-employed business people who work under the well-recognised Fastway brand name.

No special skills are required, just enthusiasm, energy, and the desire to build a successful business within the guidelines of the Fastway franchise system.

Fastway’s courier services are aimed at businesses that send goods on a regular basis and we have recently launched an online courier service aimed at smaller users. Courier Franchisees call on their customers each day to pickup or deliver goods.

Through their constant presence in their exclusive territory, Courier Franchisees quickly build their customer base.

The Role of the Courier Franchisee

Courier Franchisees are granted an exclusive territory, which means that they are the only franchisee permitted to carry out the pickup and delivery work within that area. Parcels destined for other locations are delivered by other Fastway Courier Franchisees.

Courier Franchisees own the goodwill (customer database) of the businesses in their territory. As the courier’s business grows, the exclusive territory can be split (with part of it then sold to a new courier) thus making a capital gain.

Some Courier Franchisees have split their original territory up to five times, and sold for prices as high as 1,250% (one thousand, two hundred and fifty percent) more than the initial purchase price.

Your Exclusive Territory

Income is generated by sales of prepaid courier labels to customers, and the pickups and deliveries that take place in the exclusive territory. Fastway customers purchase prepaid labels directly from their Courier Franchisee or via our online service www.postplus.ie, in order to send freight through the system.

The Fastway courier service is aimed at businesses that send goods on a regular basis, so the ongoing purchase of prepaid labels is necessary for all customers while the Post Plus service is aimed at smaller users.

Franchise Income

Paramount to the success of a Courier Franchisee is comprehensive and effective training. Within the Fastway organisation a strong emphasis is placed on both the initial and ongoing education of franchisees.

Introductory training takes place at the depot, and includes a combination of classroom, practical, and self-training modules. Topics covered in the classroom section include the full scope of operating a courier franchise.

The practical application of this is then experienced by accompanying an experienced and established Courier Franchisee and observing courier operations in person. This is backed up by self-training modules, which include DVD and multimedia presentations that Courier Franchisees can watch in the comfort of their home.

A copy of the Fastway Courier Franchisee Manual is provided for initial training purposes and can be used as an ongoing reference guide. It includes a wide range of promotional materials and handy reference matter.

Ongoing training is offered by way of short training sessions, the franchise partner intranet and conferences.

Our Training Program

The Fastway logo, uniforms, vehicle signage, and all promotional material reflect the Fastway corporate identity in the distinctive red, white and blue colours.

“Economic, Reliable, Easy” and “the friendly courier experts” sums up the service that Fastway offers, and this message with the distinctive icons appears on various marketing literature and collateral.

Fastway guards its corporate image very carefully, and all items that couriers require, from promotional material to uniforms, are provided through approved channels in order to maintain quality standards.

Our Corporate Identity

Saturation marketing is the proven formula for building a successful courier franchise at Fastway. Full training in this technique is provided, and all supporting materials are made fully available to the courier.

A comprehensive range of tools and programs are available for ongoing marketing, and the execution of these are made simple and fast, through Fastway’s in-house design resources.

All marketing initiatives proposed are based on highly effective and proven techniques, most of which are of little or no cost. New promotions are continually offered.

A personalised email marketing facility is also available for communication with customers to keep them informed and promote additional services.

Marketing

Sales Assistance & SupportSaturation marketing is the proven way for Courier Franchisees to grow their businesses. The process is simple and involves the gradual development of business relationships with prospective customers.

The process is backed up by a dedicated Sales Representative who follows up leads to make sales. Sales Representatives are required to work closely with courier franchisees to help build their business rapidly.

Our TechnologyAll Courier Franchisees carry hand-held scanners. To facilitate the tracking of parcels, customers affix the appropriate prepaid label to each parcel when sending goods. The barcode on the label is scanned by the Courier Franchisee at key points in the parcel’s journey and information is uploaded by GPRS to the website.

All Courier Franchisee details and timetable information are posted on the company website. The timetables contain all the vital contact and service information that customers need to know about their local courier.

Our Communication ChannelsMany communication methods are used to keep franchisees informed and to give everyone the opportunity to offer ideas, raise concerns or ask questions.

Newsletters, depot posters, courier meetings, and visits from the central Franchise Support Office are just a few of the ways that information is disseminated to couriers.

The Franchise Advisory Council (FAC) is the name given to the structure for franchisees who want to be more involved in the decision making process. At meetings, issues are raised and followed through, ideas put forward, and information is exchanged. This is reported to the Regional Franchisee who can assist directly or follow through at a national level.

A Typical DayCourier Franchisees come into the depot in the morning to pick up all the parcels that are to be delivered in their exclusive territory. Following this, they drive to their territory and make deliveries, whilst also picking up from their customers.

In the evening they return to the depot to bring in all the parcels they have picked up, which will be placed on the linehaul trucks for delivery to other regions around the country and taken out for delivery the next day.

Ultimate Pat on the Back

Fingal Dublin Chamber of Commerce 2011 Best Business Growth Award

Irish Franchise Association 2011 Franchisee of the Year (Service) – Midlands Region

Fingal Dublin Chamber of Commerce 2010 Best Business Growth Award

Irish Franchise Association 2010 Franchise of the Year (Service)

Fingal Dublin Chamber of Commerce 2009 Best Business Practice

At Fastway, we believe the ultimate ‘pat on the back’ is being recognised by our customers and the sector we’re so proud to belong to – franchising.

From our impressive role of franchising and industry awards, here’s a sample...

The Application Process An enquiry is made

Access to courier franchise enquiry pack is provided (you are here)

Interview or seminar with the Regional Franchisee

Van ride with a Courier Franchisee

Disclosure Document provided

Seek legal advice

Application Form and interview with a Regional Franchisee

Deposit paid

The sale – Heads of Agreement, Deed, balance of purchase paid

Training takes place

Commence operation

If you would like to pursue your interest in the Courier Franchise opportunity further, please contact the Regional Franchisee in your area.

Current as at Jan 2012A&G Couriers Ltd, T/A Fastway Couriers (Ireland)

w. fastway.ie