What was the total number of company-owned Annex Brands outlets at the end of 2022?
Annex_Brands Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Outlet Type | Year | Outlets At Start Of Year | Outlets At End Of Year | Net Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franchised | 2022 | 559 | 562 | +3 |
| 2023 | 562 | 565 | +3 | |
| 2024 | 565 | 567 | +2 | |
| Company- | 2022 | 1 | 0 | -1 |
| Owned | ||||
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total Outlets | 2022 | 560 | 562 | +2 |
| 2023 | 562 | 565 | +3 | |
| 2024 | 565 | 567 | +2 |
Source: Item 20 — Outlets and Franchisee Information (FDD pages 78–109)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Annex Brands' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the number of company-owned outlets varies across different retail center brands. For AIM Mail Retail Centers, the number of company-owned outlets decreased from 1 at the start of 2022 to 0 by the end of the year. For Parcel Plus Retail Centers, PostalAnnex/PostalAnnex+ Retail Centers, Sunshine Pack & Ship Retail Centers, and Handle With Care Packaging Store Retail Centers, the number of company-owned outlets remained at 0 throughout 2022. For Pak Mail Retail Centers, the number of company-owned outlets also remained at 0 during 2022.
This data indicates that Annex Brands primarily focuses on franchising rather than operating company-owned stores. A prospective franchisee should note this as it reflects the company's business model and support structure, which may be geared more towards franchisee support than direct store management. The decrease of one company-owned store in the AIM Mail Retail Centers brand suggests a possible strategic shift away from direct operation in that sector, or it could simply reflect the sale of a single unit to a franchisee.
For a potential franchisee, this information is crucial for understanding the franchisor's involvement in direct competition with its franchisees and the overall investment strategy of Annex Brands. The absence of company-owned stores in most brands might suggest a greater reliance on franchisee fees and royalties for revenue, which could influence the franchisor's priorities and support systems. It would be prudent for a prospective franchisee to inquire about the reasons behind the limited number of company-owned stores and how this structure impacts franchisee support and brand development.