Mailboxes & Parcel Depot vs Post Net
Mailboxes & Parcel Depot vs Post Net: Mailboxes & Parcel Depot costs $51K to $181K to open; Post Net costs $45K to $145K. Mailboxes & Parcel Depot has 36 units, Post Net has 216. SBA loan history: Mailboxes & Parcel Depot = 40 loans (10.0% default); Post Net = 217 loans (17.5% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Mailboxes & Parcel Depot vs Post Net: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Post Net requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($45K vs $51K for Mailboxes & Parcel Depot), a 13% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $57K for Mailboxes & Parcel Depot versus $50K for Post Net, Post Net has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Post Net operates 216 units to Mailboxes & Parcel Depot's 36, roughly 6× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Post Net has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 217 7(a) approvals compared with 40 for Mailboxes & Parcel Depot. Mailboxes & Parcel Depot's peak SBA year was 2002 (5 loans); Post Net's peak was 2004 (29 loans). Post Net's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Mailboxes & Parcel Depot has the most SBA funded units in OH, with 4. Post Net leads in TX, with 43. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Mailboxes & Parcel Depot deals is $115K vs $91K for Post Net, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 10.0% for Mailboxes & Parcel Depot and 17.5% for Post Net, Mailboxes & Parcel Depot has the cleaner SBA loss record by 7.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 32 (Fair) for Mailboxes & Parcel Depot and 28 (Fair) for Post Net, giving Mailboxes & Parcel Depot the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 32/100 | 28/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 40 | 217 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 10.0% | 17.5% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $51K to $181K | $45K to $145K |
Franchise Fee | $57K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 36 | 216 |
Franchised Units | 36 | 216 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 15 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1985 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | BOLINGBROOK, IL | AUSTIN, TX |
Category | Private Mail Centers | Private Mail Centers |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2024 |
Which Is Better, Mailboxes & Parcel Depot or Post Net?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Mailboxes & Parcel Depot: $51K starting · Post Net: $45K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Post Net
Mailboxes & Parcel Depot: 40 SBA loans · Post Net: 217 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Mailboxes & Parcel Depot
Mailboxes & Parcel Depot: 10.0% · Post Net: 17.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Mailboxes & Parcel Depot: 36 units · Post Net: 216 units
More lender financing options
Post Net
Mailboxes & Parcel Depot: 30 unique lenders · Post Net: 81 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Mailboxes & Parcel Depot vs Post Net: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Mailboxes & Parcel Depot and Post Net is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $45K to $181K.
Mailboxes & Parcel Depot has 40 SBA loans on record and Post Net has 217. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Mailboxes & Parcel Depot vs Post Net, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Mailboxes & Parcel Depot or Post Net?
How much does a Mailboxes & Parcel Depot franchise cost compared to Post Net?
Can I finance Mailboxes & Parcel Depot or Post Net with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Mailboxes & Parcel Depot or Post Net?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman