Q&A: Does DHL Franchise in the UK?

Sophie Cole, writer

Published at 05/01/2019, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 7 min

Q&A: Does DHL Franchise in the UK? — Photo © dhl-franchise.jpg

The red and yellow of the instantly recognisable DHL logo is often seen being cycled, driven, sailed, and flown around nations across the world. The business is one of the most prestigious courier brands in the industry and receives a great deal of interest from potential investors. Here, we take an in-depth look at the company, its history and whether it offers franchising opportunities.

DHL is one of the UK’s, and the world’s, most prolific courier firms, delivering hundreds of thousands of parcels every single day. It operates more than 700 scheduled flights every day across its fleet of 250 dedicated aircrafts and has 17,000 vehicles on the ground covering more than 120,000 towns, cities and villages across the world. [DHL.com]

But is it possible to get involved with the DHL franchise – and does such a thing even exist? We’ve got all the answers. Read on to learn more about how you can make an impressive living by teaming up with DHL, as well as other rapidly expanding courier businesses here in the UK.

History of DHL

Larry Hillblom of California, USA, established DHL in 1969. During his time at Berkeley studying law, Hillbolm took on courier work for a local insurance firm. This saw him ferrying packages between Oakland International and Los Angeles International. Soon, Hillblom and an associate, Adrian Dalsey, decided to expand on the idea and began transporting packages for other companies. Bringing on board Robert Lynn as the third and final partner, the three entrepreneurs combined their initials to come up with a name, and DHL was born.

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DHL’s expansion plan

As the business grew, it brought more and more couriers on-board, allowing the owners to focus on the management and expansion of the organisation. In these early days, much of the work centred on traffic between Hawaii and California, though this was soon to change. In the early ‘70s, DHL went international. At the time, it was the only logistics company in the US that offered an overnight service. Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, the company grew rapidly, adding to its fleet of diverse transportation options and servicing an ever-increasing number of markets.

DHL and the US

In 1998, Deutsche Post started to purchase shares in DHL with the intention of owning a controlling share by the mid-‘00s. However, this process was completed by 2001 and, the following year, DHL merged with Deutsche Post's Express services. Since then, the company has made significant investments in its air transport services and has also made moves to switch many of its vehicles to more environmentally friendly alternatives. In 2009, DHL abandoned the US market to its two main competitors, FedEx and UPS, as its status as a non-US based business made it impossible to compete domestically.

Does DHL franchise?

DHL does not franchise in the UK, but there is the opportunity for existing courier businesses to apply to become a DHL agent. This involves working alongside DHL to deliver its services to customers in your region. A commission is paid on each parcel or package that is accepted and processed.

Once customer parcels are collected, DHL will arrange for them to be picked up by one of its vehicles and transported using its own logistics network. DHL agents generally act as a collection point for the larger company. This kind of role is popular for self-employed couriers looking to pick up regular work.

It’s not clear from its website whether DHL offers franchise opportunities in other countries – apart from in India, where it does appear to be welcoming franchise partners.

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How to get involved with DHL

DHL has plenty of traditional job opportunities across the globe, whether you’re an experienced logistics professional, new graduate looking to fast-track your career or a skilled driver who can help get its parcels from A to B. There are DHL operations in countries all across the world and it has won awards for the quality of its workplaces, including the ‘Great Place to Work Award’, ‘Top Employers Institute Award’ and the ‘Aon Hewitt ‘Best Employer’ Award’.

The courier market in the UK

The amount we spent in the UK on courier and delivery services surpassed £10 billion in 2017 and the industry is expected to be worth a staggering £13.2 billion by 2021. And it’s not surprising, considering that 87% of Brits have sent or received a parcel during the past six months. Explaining why the industry is thriving, Marco Amasanti, B2B analyst at Mintel, said:

“The crux of the recent surge in courier and express delivery services surrounds the ongoing digitalisation of all consumer behaviour, in which e-commerce is the apex. As online channels continue to increase their grip across retailing, the industry is only expected to grow further as supply strives to match surging demand.”

He elaborated on how our online shopping habits are good news for the delivery and courier world.

“Money previously spent in retail stores is now increasingly spent online, boosting business-to-consumer delivery demand not only through the initial purchase, but also through the return of goods bought online. The business-to-consumer sector, underlined by the rise in e-commerce, will be key to future growth.”

Similar franchise opportunities

Sold on the potential of a courier business? We’ve got lots of franchise opportunities right here at Point Franchise that are currently on the lookout for new people to join their ever-expanding networks. Here are just a few of the most intriguing opportunities in our directory.

World Options

If you’re looking to help the UK’s SMEs get their stuff to where it needs to be, World Options could be the franchise for you. The rapidly expanding franchise is looking for new entrepreneurs to join its network all across the country.

World Options was founded in 2003 by ambitious businessmen Andrew Jackson and Stewart Butler, after they recognised the need for an online courier system that would help small businesses cut their shipping costs. Now, it has grown to have more than 75 franchisees across the country and has teamed up with international couriers including DHL, FedEx, UPS and TNT to get SME’s parcels to exactly where they need to be.

Becoming a World Options franchisee: You’ll need to be ambitious, determined and passionate about providing an excellent service to join the franchise. Once you enquire, you’ll be invited to World Options HQ, where you’ll learn more about what your day might look like as a franchisee and get the chance to speak to others who’ve capitalised on the opportunity to achieve success. Get in touch with the franchise to learn more.
How much you need to invest: If you’re interested in setting up your very own World Options franchise, you’ll need to invest just £32,000 plus VAT to get started. However, the courier and delivery franchise has great financial links, meaning up to 70% of the cost could be covered by a business loan for the right candidates.
What you get for your investment: You’ll also receive an extensive suite of training and support, including a dedicated franchise development manager who is just a phone call away and a customer service team who can handle any client concerns.

Post & Packing

Courier and delivery franchisePost & Packing is ideal for any budding entrepreneur looking to make a living in the world of deliveries. Its services include:

Postal archiving services
eBay and online seller package management
Post box rental
Packaging services
Storage services

Post & Packing is a specialist post shop that makes it easier for people to mail things all across the globe, as well as receive them. Founded in 2012 and operating initially across Kent, London and the southeast, the franchise is now looking to expand across the country and bring its award-winning service to more customers.

Becoming a Post & Packing franchisee: To become part of the Post & Packing network, you won’t need to have any previous experience in the world of deliveries. All you’ll need is the business acumen, dedication and commitment to help shape your operations into a successful business over the years.
How much you need to invest: You’ll need to invest a minimum of £25,000 and have excellent cash flow management to see you through the first few months of business before you begin generating a profit.
What you get for your investment: Serving both private and commercial clients, the franchise has built up a reputation as one of the most profitable and exciting business opportunities in the UK. It claims to be the only high street business that gives its network the chance to generate profits of up to £260,000 during their first year of business. You’ll receive support with everything from marketing to sales to daily operations throughout your time as a Post & Packing franchisee.

Return to sender or send it with love …

Though DHL doesn’t franchise, there are still lots of ways to get involved in the world of postal services; as a self-employed delivery driver or a franchisee with another thriving business.

Not sure the courier life is the right one for you? We have lots of other viable franchise opportunities at Point Franchise. Take a look through our directory, where you’ll find more than 280 franchise opportunities to pique your interest.