Unishippers Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$17,365 - $233,300
Franchise Fee
$1,500
Min Cash Required
$9,000
Total US Locations
202
Business Summary
Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC (Unishippers) grants franchises to individuals to promote, establish, bill, and collect on customer accounts for transportation services. Unishippers contracts with domestic and international carrier companies to offer discounted small parcel, freight (Full Truckload and Less-Than-Truckload), and other transportation services to small and medium-sized businesses. Franchisees use the Unishippers brand and system to set up customer accounts and provide service.
Corporate History
Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC was formed in Delaware in October 2007. At the same time, Unishippers began offering logistics franchises under the Unishippers brand, helping small and medium-sized businesses find affordable shipping services. The company has solely focused on this line of business and has not operated the type of business being franchised itself.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$17,365 - $233,300
Franchise Fee (Low)
$1,500
Franchise Fee (High)
$30,000
Minimum Cash Required
$9,000
Royalty %
18.5%
Marketing %
1%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$1,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$15,000
Working Capital
$79,500
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
Yes
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Unishippers' parent company, Accord JV Corp, has received an unqualified audit opinion, indicating that its financial statements are presented fairly. Accord JV Corp, which guarantees Unishippers' performance, maintains positive working capital, with approximately $195.6 million at the end of 2024 and $247.1 million at the end of 2023. While the parent company reported net losses of $63.9 million in 2023 and $16.5 million in 2024, it has consistently generated strong positive cash flow from its operating activities, with $197.5 million in 2024 and $184.8 million in 2023. This indicates that Unishippers' parent company has solid liquidity from its core business operations.
Financing Details
Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC offers financing for the initial franchise fee to qualified new franchisees. They may finance up to 100% of the initial franchise fee for a period of 60 months, with an interest rate of the current prime rate plus 2.5% APR. Franchisees must sign a promissory note, and interest-only payments begin approximately 90 days after the franchise agreement is signed. The entire outstanding amount becomes due upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement if not renewed. Loans can be prepaid without penalty, but a personal guarantee is required. If a franchisee defaults, Unishippers may declare the entire loan amount due and can terminate the franchise agreement. Unishippers does not guarantee any notes, leases, or obligations for franchisees, nor does it receive payments for financing placement.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
202
Franchised Units
202
Corporate Units
1
Avg Square Footage
900
Franchising Since
2007
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
4
Litigation Summary
Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC has disclosed several litigation cases. Currently, Unishippers is involved in one ongoing lawsuit. This case, filed in December 2024 by Freight Essentials, LLC and Dylan Admire, alleges fraud, conspiracy, fraudulent concealment, and retaliation, along with violations related to fees charged by GlobalTranz. The plaintiffs seek compensatory, punitive, and treble damages. Unishippers vigorously denies these allegations and filed a motion to dismiss in February 2025. Previously, Unishippers was involved in three concluded cases. In March 2018, former franchisee JMK/USA Enterprises, Inc. and Jeff Kelley sued Unishippers for breach of contract and fraud; the court dismissed the case without prejudice in October 2018, requiring arbitration in Utah. Another case, filed in February 2015 by former franchisee Morning Star Associates, Inc. and Chris Herrmann, alleged breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and misrepresentation; this was settled in April 2017 with Unishippers paying $125,000. Finally, in October 2015, Unishippers filed an arbitration demand against former franchisee Mercari, Inc. and its guarantors for breach of contract and conversion; this was settled in November 2015 for a total payment of $200,000 by the defendants to Mercari.
Bankruptcy History
Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC has no bankruptcy history to report.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
5 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC franchisees must meet several conditions to renew their agreement for one additional 5-year term. Franchisees must be in compliance with all agreements and cannot have any defaults, nor can they have been repeatedly in breach or noncompliance within any 12-month period. All financial obligations to Unishippers, its affiliates, carriers, and other creditors must be paid in full. Franchisees must provide written notice of their intent to renew between 180 days and 12 months before the current term ends. They must also meet specified minimum performance requirements, particularly the UPS Revenue Requirement. Additionally, franchisees and their personnel must attend and successfully complete any required training and certifications. They must also submit an annual business plan for the upcoming year and an updated business plan for the 5-year renewal. Franchisees must also provide evidence that they are qualified to conduct business and operate as a freight broker in their state, including possessing a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration broker's license, a Unified Carrier Registration permit, and required liability insurance. Finally, they must sign a general release of claims and meet the qualifications for new franchisees, including passing background and credit checks.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC provides several forms of assistance to its franchisees. Before opening, Unishippers negotiates competitive terms with carriers for transportation services and grants franchisees the right to use the Unishippers brand and intellectual property to promote their business and solicit customer accounts in the continental United States. Franchisees receive access to specified software for invoicing, account management, and sales, along with training for themselves and their personnel. They are also provided with information on required products and services, and access to the online Operations Manual. After opening, Unishippers continues to provide revised information on services and products, access to its software (like myUnishippers), and additional training, conferences, and seminars. Unishippers organizes mandatory national or regional Sales Kickoff meetings at least every other year, which franchisees and their designated managers are required to attend. Various communication channels are provided, including electronic bulletins, support from trained employees for business development and issue resolution, and marketing programs with digital and printed materials. Unishippers also approves customer accounts and inspects/audits franchises as needed.
Initial Training Hours
51
Training Location
Dallas, Texas, Melbourne, Florida, or online/virtual
Ongoing Support
Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC offers ongoing support to its franchisees after opening. This includes providing revised information on required services and products, access to Unishippers software (such as myUnishippers), and additional training, conferences, and seminars. Unishippers organizes mandatory national or regional Sales Kickoff meetings at least every other year for franchisees and their sales personnel. Communication means like email and an intranet (SupportNet) are provided for information and updates. Franchisees also receive support from trained employees for capturing business, resolving billing issues, negotiating rates, and product training, as well as digital and printed marketing materials.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC seeks franchisees who are personally effective, possess a suitable personality, and demonstrate strong marketing abilities. Ideal candidates are committed to diligently following the Unishippers System and are willing to work intelligently and diligently. They should have the capacity, organizational ability, marketing experience, facilities, capital, and interest to promote the Unishippers brand and goodwill. Franchisees or their designated managers must be directly involved in and devote full-time attention and energy to the business, ensuring direct supervision and participation.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Hybrid
Owner Participation
Supervisory
Territory Type
Non-Exclusive
Staff Count
1
Territory Size Requirements
Unishippers franchisees are granted a non-exclusive right to develop and manage a business for all transportation services offered under carrier contracts throughout all areas of the continental United States. The Unishippers franchise does not define territories by specific geographic boundaries, population counts, or radii. Instead, franchisees can market across the continental U.S., but they must adhere to policies in the Operations Manual, particularly regarding an Account Protection Policy and Rules of Engagement, which restrict establishing customer accounts with businesses already served by Unishippers or its affiliates.
Staffing Notes
Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC requires franchisees to employ or contract with at least one full-time salesperson within three months of signing the franchise agreement. The franchisee themselves may fulfill this role if they operate in that capacity. All sales personnel, including the franchisee if acting as a salesperson, must be trained and meet the criteria outlined in the Operations Manual. Franchisees are solely responsible for all employment decisions, including hiring, firing, compensation, supervision, and discipline of their personnel, and are responsible for their training beyond what Unishippers provides. All personnel dealing with the public must uphold high standards of professionalism and courtesy, and be attired as specified in the Manuals. Furthermore, certain key personnel must sign restrictive covenant agreements and franchisee terms and conditions for offering UPS products.