What is the protected area for an express Annex Brands Center?
Annex_Brands Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Subsection 2.A – Brand: |
|---|
| PostalAnnex® or PostalAnnex+® |
| Pak Mail® |
| AIM Mail® |
| Handle With Care Packaging Store® |
| Parcel Plus® |
| Sunshine Pack & Ship® |
| Subsection 2.A – Center Type: |
| standard Center |
| flex Center |
| express Center |
| Subsection 2.A – Approved Location: |
| Subsection 2.B – Protected Area: |
| For a standard Center the Protected Area will be the area within a one-half-mile |
| radius of the approved location of the Center. |
| For a flex Center, the Protected Area will be the area within a one-half-mile radius |
| of the approved location of the Center. |
| For an express Center, the Protected Area will be the facility in which the Center |
| is located. |
| The Protected Area description may be amended only by mutual written agreement of |
| Franchisee, Franchisor and any regional licensee for Franchisee's area. |
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD pages 109–110)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Annex Brands' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the protected area for an express Center is limited to the facility in which the Center is located. This means that Annex Brands will not operate, nor grant a franchise for, another Center of the same type within that specific facility. This is different from standard and flex Centers, which have a protected area within a one-half-mile radius of their approved location.
This limited protected area for express Centers has significant implications for franchisees. Unlike standard or flex Center franchisees who benefit from a buffer zone around their location, express Center franchisees do not have such a geographical advantage. Their protection is confined to the physical building they occupy. This could mean increased competition if another franchise were to open nearby, but outside of the facility.
It is important to note that the protected area description may be amended only by mutual written agreement of the franchisee, Annex Brands, and any regional licensee for the franchisee's area. This provides a mechanism for potential adjustments to the protected area, but requires the consent of all parties involved. Franchisees should carefully consider the implications of this limited protected area and discuss any concerns with Annex Brands before entering into a franchise agreement.