InXpress began in Rochdale in the UK, in 1999 and was founded by John Thompson who initially ran the business from his bedroom. In 2006, InXpress entered the US market, closely followed by Australia and New Zealand. There are now over 450 franchisees, across 14 countries, and 30,000 customers.
InXpress are proud to have built a strong, recession proof business model, which has enabled franchisees to fulfil their dreams of running their own business, and to be working with thousands of customers globally who benefit from unbeatable customer service and innovative shipping software.
The first InXpress franchise joined in 1999 and was based in Manchester. It was a couple of years later, in 2001, when John and his small team decided to start selling franchises in earnest. This was the point that they knew they needed the support and knowledge provided by the BFA to successfully recruit candidates and grow the business, so they joined as associate members initially.
This was a pivotal time for InXpress because the BFA not only guided the team, but they also put them in touch with other industry experts who could help them on specialised business areas including law and further down the line marketing.
Sometime later, InXpress become full BFA members and have been ever since. Head office members (and franchisees where relevant) regularly attend the association’s events and seminars. The brand has also entered and won several BFA awards, most recently taking home the 2023 Franchisor of the Year, Bronze award.
As a now established brand, InXpress are well positioned to give back to other franchisors and local communities, and this is at the heart of their values.
What common franchising myths have you encountered, particularly regarding your brand or sector?
Myth: Franchising is for everyone! Being a franchise requires people to be driven and ambitious, but also 100% commit to following a model. InXpress’s franchisees are a diverse group, but with shared traits, including the ability to run a business independently but also to be part of a wider network.
What key factors contribute to the success of franchised businesses in your experience?
Following the model is key, but it is not the only factor. There is of course hard work, especially in the early days and the need to be ‘All-In’. This is one of InXpress’s core values and it is about being completely dedicated to making InXpress the best it can be. Individually and collectively, everyone puts 100% into achieving our goals and preserving our strong positive culture.
Ensuring the franchisee has the right level of funding to, for example, hire a staff member relatively quickly is another important factor, as not being able to can stunt growth.
The majority of InXpress’s leadership team have their own franchise or have done at some point. This is a game-changer as it means that they have been through the same journey as franchisees which gives great insight into what works when it comes to coaching, training, development and so on.
It also means that new initiatives can be trialled with these franchises. For example, when InXpress’s online shipping software was launched in 2008 (shipments were previously booked manually so this was a huge development), it was thoroughly tested with real customers by these franchises.
