Growth Signifies International Demand for Convenient Business Services

SAN DIEGO (August 26, 2002) - Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE), the world’s largest franchisor of retail postal, shipping, and business services, continues to expand its presence as a global business-solutions provider with the signing of a master license agreement in Malaysia. The announcement comes on the heels of MBE’s recent 1,000th international center opening in Germany, showcasing the company’s unprecedented worldwide growth.

MBE Malaysia will celebrate the grand opening of its pilot center in November in Kuala Lumpur. Master licensee and Managing Director Brian Chow plans to open 25 more centers in the next six years.

"We are very excited and committed to developing MBE in the Malaysian market," said Chow. "There is a large growing segment of business customers who require the convenience, efficiency, customer service and time-saving qualities that MBE offers."

As a student at Western Michigan University, Chow needed to send mail and packages to and from Malaysia. He became interested in the concept of MBE and saw the need for providing efficient mail service and convenient business solutions in Malaysia. After researching MBE, he determined that an MBE franchise was the perfect solution for Malaysia’s growing business needs.

Chow added this is the first franchise of its type in Malaysia and that the Malaysian government supports and acknowledges the benefits of franchising.

"MBE’s unique concept is adaptable to the needs and market conditions of various countries and cultures around the world," said Peter Holt, executive vice president of franchise sales and development for MBE. "There is high demand from consumers and businesses in Malaysia for the world-class services provided by MBE."

Today, MBE is one of the world’s fastest growing franchise organizations. It is currently more than seven times larger than its largest competitor and nearly three times larger than its five largest competitors combined.

Established in 1980, Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE), a UPS company, is the world's largest franchisor of retail postal and business services. There are more than 4,000 MBE locations worldwide, with master license agreements covering nearly 80 countries. Entrepreneur magazine’s annual "Franchise 500" has rated MBE #1 in the postal and business services category for 12 consecutive years. In the United States, MBE locations are owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. Outside the United States, MBE locations are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. MBE maintains a Web site at http://www.mbe.com.