The Editorial Team , writer
If you feel like you’ve got what it takes to manage a printing and marketing business, you may want to take a moment to look at the excellent investment opportunity presented by Minutemen Press. With more than 40 years of experience in the industry, they’ve had sufficient time to refine and develop their business model and plenty of chances to demonstrate how successful it can be. Renowned for their excellent training programme, high franchisee success rate, and extensive franchise infrastructure, they’re one of the world’s leading printing franchises and an exciting and enticing investment proposition. Here, we take an in-depth look at what distinguishes them from other printing and marketing franchises.
Franchise background
The original Minutemen press business was started in 1973, by father-son partners, Roy and Bob Titus. Originally operating out of Farmingdale, New York, the company quickly moved from a single copy centre to a one-stop shop for all of your printing and marketing needs. It has been operating in the UK for more than 25 years, and the global franchise has expanded to encompass more than 1000 locations. With support centres in Glasgow, Manchester, and Maidenhead, it has worked hard to develop its UK infrastructure, allowing it to offer consistently high standards of support to franchises across the nation. Minutemen Press is now the world’s largest printing franchise and the UK’s leading printing and marketing specialist.
Industry context
The modern printing industry underwent radical change as we moved into the digital era. As new technologies were introduced, the cost of printing dropped, barriers to access were removed, and established businesses had to begin thinking of ways to differentiate themselves from a surge of new competitors. One of the ways companies distinguished themselves was by expanding their purview to include a whole new range of marketing products and services. In this regard, Minuteman Press has been enormously successful. By adapting their business model to the demands of a rapidly changing market, they emerged as one of the world’s leading printing and marketing experts.
Minutemen Press basics
Minutemen Press offers a wide range of services to businesses of all shapes, sizes, and types. Whether it’s a fish and chip shop looking to rebrand itself, or an accountant trying to raise awareness of a new service, Minutemen Press have the experience and expertise necessary to produce effective marketing materials, at reasonable rates. The franchise is also defined by its ability to work in any medium, or with any product. They’re able to handle logo creation, website design, flyers, business cards, promotional products, pens, clothes, USB drives, stickers, labels, and vehicle wraps. They have the technology and facilities to print in many different formats and for many purposes. What helps Minutemen Press stand apart from the crowd, is its ability to provide businesses with everything that they need, all in one place.
What level of investment is required?
To invest in a Minutemen Press franchise, you’ll need to raise a minimum of £50,000. This will pay for leasing the equipment, your franchise fee, and other startup costs. However, there are several financing options available to potential franchisees, many of which could see the personal investment required drop to £20,000. This makes Minutemen Press one of the most affordable franchises in the printing industry. It is worth noting that costs may vary according to your location and specific business plan, but Minutemen Press is committed to helping every franchisee identify a suitable location, conduct research into the area, and negotiate the lease. This assistance can prove invaluable when you begin to grow and expand operations.
What do franchisees get in return?
In return for your investment, franchisees are granted the right to trade under the Minutemen Press name and utilise its image and trademarks. One of the most appealing aspects of the franchise package is the well-respected franchisee training programme. Refined and developed over 40 years, the training school covers a wide range of topics to prepare you for business ownership. These include business management, pricing, workflow management, practical printing skills, and the franchise’s digital systems, amongst other things. Once a franchisee’s initial training is complete, you are passed on to local support teams who provide ongoing assistance and guidance, while also monitoring your progress.
When it comes to opening a franchise, Minutemen Press also offers a great deal of support. The franchisor maintains teams of experienced professionals to provide feedback and advice, should you need it. Networking opportunities are promoted through the organisation of international conferences, workshops, and regional meetings. An informative monthly magazine updates franchisees as to what is happening elsewhere in the franchise network and offers insights into the latest industry developments. If you’re looking for a franchise that works hard to help you grow your business, Minutemen Press presents a fantastic opportunity.
What kind of franchisee is Minutemen Press looking for?
No previous experience of the printing industry is required to become a Minutemen franchisee. However, a passion for marketing is necessary, and a basic understanding of the marketing professional's role is useful. Rather than pursuing those with a history in the printing industry, the franchise prefers to look at candidates with excellent communication skills, a determination to succeed, and a desire to help small and medium-sized enterprises grow. The franchisee role also involves developing your skills in customer service, business management, and marketing.
Conclusion Becoming a Minutemen Press franchisee is an excellent opportunity to build a successful marketing and printing business, with the support of an incredibly experienced team of industry experts. Having demonstrated that the franchise business model works in markets around the world and that the Minutemen service is in demand wherever you go, they’re in a fantastic position to attract talented and ambitious franchisees from a wide variety of backgrounds. The affordable franchise fee means that there’s no insurmountable barrier to becoming a franchisee and the extent of the support you’ll receive is second to none.
The Editorial Team , writer