Our Communication Channels

Your
courier
franchise
enquiry
pack
About
Fastway
Couriers
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 multiaward winning company now has over 1,200
franchisees and a group turnover of $455
million per annum.
Our
Market
Niche
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
Franchise
Structure
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 Franchisee
Independently 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 Franchisee
Each Regional Franchisee operates an
independent business, servicing an exclusive
territory, providing depot facilities, sales
support, training and administrative systems
to their Courier Franchisees.
Courier Franchisees
Our 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.
The Role
of the
Courier
Franchisee
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.
Your
Exclusive
Territory
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.
Franchise
Income
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.
Our
Training
Program
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
Corporate
Identity
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.
Marketing
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.
Sales
Assistance
& Support
Saturation 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
Technology
All 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
Channels
Many 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
Day
Courier 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
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...
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
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.
w. fastway.ie
Current as at Jan 2012
A&G Couriers Ltd, T/A Fastway Couriers (Ireland)