Why To Start a Unishippers Franchise vs. Startup Business

Starting your own business is an exciting journey filled with opportunities for both your career and personal life. But choosing the right path is crucial to ensuring long-term growth. Entrepreneurs today have many options, which include building a startup or investing in a sales career with a proven franchise like Unishippers. While both paths come with growth potential, the structured support, the established brand recognition and lower risk of a Unishippers Franchise make it a smarter choice for those looking for a lucrative venture.

Still on the fence? Here are six compelling reasons why a Unishippers Franchise is a better short- and long-term investment than a startup business!

1. Established Brand vs. Building Your Brand from Scratch

Unishippers advantage

• Leverage an established brand and partnerships: As a Unishippers franchisee, you'll immediately benefit from our partnerships with UPS^® and thousands of leading freight carriers across the country. This will boost credibility and trust with customers right from the start and allow you to sell our products and services quickly.
• WWEX Group support and resources: WWEX Group is one of the largest third-party logistics (3PL) providers in the nation, and brings together Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz and Unishippers under one umbrella. That means franchisees gain access to resources and expertise across these brands, providing them with a vast support system for their sales venture.

Startup disadvantage

• Building brand identity: For new startups, one of the biggest challenges is developing a recognizable brand identity. That means entrepreneurs must spend significant time and money on marketing, advertising and networking efforts to gain trust from customers.
• High risk of failure: Building a new brand also carries many inherent risks. Some startups struggle to create a lasting impact, and without the necessary expertise in business development, there is a significant risk of brand failure.

2. Proven Business Model vs. Figuring Out Everything Yourself

Unishippers advantage

• Proven and tested business model: When you start a Unishippers franchise, you benefit from a comprehensive, tested business model. It comes with systems in place for sales, hiring, operations, marketing, customer service and technology. These franchise benefits ensure you hit the ground running with a framework that's differentiated in the market and designed for growth.
• Ongoing training and support: Unishippers franchisees receive access to training, support and resources from a top third-party logistics provider (that's us BTW!) . This guidance ensures that franchise owners are well-equipped to navigate challenges and adapt to industry changes. Additionally, the logistics industry is recession-resistant, which further adds to the stability of the Unishippers business model.

Startup disadvantage

• Trial and error: Entrepreneurs starting their own business often face a steep learning curve. They must figure out everything from operational processes to marketing strategies on their own, which can lead to costly mistakes. Without a proven business model, new businesses must go through trial and error, wasting time, energy, and resources in the process.
• Lack of expert guidance: New startups typically don't have the benefit of mentorship or expert guidance. This can lead to inefficient use of resources and missed opportunities, particularly when it comes to customer service, business development and operational systems.

3. Established Products and Services vs. Building Your Own

Unishippers advantage

• UPS parcel shipping partnership: As a Unishippers franchisee, you'll have access to an established range of parcel services and can benefit from our partnership with UPS. This means franchisees can offer competitive pricing and sell comprehensive solutions right from the start, without needing to develop new products themselves.
• Extensive freight carrier network: Unishippers offers an extensive network of over 75 LTL and 45,000+ FTL carriers, which means franchisees can provide cost-effective freight solutions to businesses through our buying power and negotiated pricing.

Startup disadvantage

• Building products from scratch: New startups face the challenge of creating and developing their own products or services. Not only does this require substantial time and resources, but the new products also lack the track record and reputation of established offerings.
• Significant competition: The startup world is highly competitive, and entrepreneurs must invest considerable resources into developing unique products or services that can stand out. Without the backing of a well-known brand or proven business model, new startups are often at a disadvantage compared to their competition.

4. Low Start-Up Costs vs. High Overhead

Unishippers advantage

• Affordable initial investment: Starting a Unishippers franchise comes with a lower initial investment compared to many other business ventures. Since the franchise relies on a sales-based model and doesn't require expensive brick-and-mortar locations or heavy equipment, the cost of getting started is significantly lower. In fact, Unishippers leverages the assets of its partners, so franchisees don't need to invest in physical infrastructure. These benefits allow a franchisee to work mostly anywhere in the United States without geographic restrictions.
• Diversity incentive program: The Unishippers Franchise Diversity Incentive Program is designed to support women, veterans, and minority individuals interested in franchise ownership. This program provides financial incentives and resources to encourage diversity in the logistics and shipping industry. In fact, we offer 50% off the initial Unishippers franchise fee for qualified applicants. By offering these opportunities, Unishippers aims to foster a more inclusive and innovative business environment while expanding its network with underrepresented groups in the franchise community.

Startup disadvantage

• High initial capital requirements: Starting your own business venture often comes with substantial startup costs. Entrepreneurs must budget for product development, staffing, marketing and other overhead expenses. Without the backing of an established business model, these expenses can quickly add up.
• Uncertain financial outlook: One of the biggest risks of a new startup is its uncertain financial future. Without a proven system or brand recognition, it can be difficult to predict revenue streams. This leads to unpredictable cash flow and financial instability from day one.

5. Unlimited Earning Potential vs. Limited Growth Path

Unishippers advantage

• Scalable business model: Unishippers franchisees have access to a proven, scalable sales model that offers multiple revenue streams and room for growth. Whether through expanding their customer base, offering new services, or tapping into additional markets, franchisees have the potential to significantly increase their income.
• Comprehensive training and support: With a Unishippers franchise, franchisees are supported by expert guidance on sales, business development and more. They also have access to outsourced admin tasks so they can focus on scaling their business. This helps franchisees maximize their earning potential and grow their business. Furthermore, the logistics industry provides opportunities for consistent growth, even during times of economic uncertainty.

Startup disadvantage

• Limited initial market reach: A major challenge for new startups is limited market reach, especially in the early stages. Without a proven brand and system, it can be difficult to attract customers, which limits revenue potential and growth.
• Increased risk of failure: New startups often face an increased risk of failure due to the lack of a proven system. Without the backing of an established franchise model, many startups struggle to stay afloat or scale their business venture, particularly if they cannot secure customers or differentiate themselves from competitors.

6. Built-in Support and Resources vs. Operating in Isolation

Unishippers advantage

• Franchise support system: One of the biggest advantages of a Unishippers franchise is the built-in support system. Franchisees gain access to proprietary tech tools, customer service resources and an experienced support team. Additionally, Unishippers offers ongoing training and mentorship to ensure franchisees grow.
• Community of franchisees: Unishippers franchisees are part of a larger community of business owners who share insights, best practices and support. Unishippers' collaborative culture is invaluable in navigating challenges and growing your business.

Startup disadvantage

• Operating alone: Entrepreneurs starting their own businesses often work in isolation. They must handle everything from managing operations to troubleshooting problems on their own, which can be overwhelming and difficult.
• Limited resources and mentorship: New startups often lack immediate access to the kind of resources and mentorship that franchisees enjoy. Without these resources, entrepreneurs are left to figure things out on their own, which can lead to costly mistakes and slower growth.

Got questions about starting a franchise vs. startup?

Unishippers offers industry-leading logistics franchise opportunities, giving aspiring entrepreneurs a chance to be part of a highly lucrative business model. Our franchisees benefit from proven systems, ongoing support and unlimited growth potential.

If you're considering a sales career in the logistics industry and want to learn more about Unishippers franchise opportunities, reach out to our franchise team for a consultation today. With our extensive resources and expert guidance, you'll be on your way to building a business with Unishippers.