MBE History

Mail Boxes Etc. started as a single store in San Diego, California, in 1980. Today, MBE Business Centres span the world. More than 2500 Centres in over 40 countries help small and medium business owners as well as individuals print, pack, ship, design, store, and track shipments and their latest projects every single day.

The big change for MBE came in 1993 when Graziano Fiorelli became the Master licensee for Mail Boxes Etc. in Italy. The original MBE Italy branch has since become more than 500 locations across the country. This success led Fiorelli to acquire the Master franchise rights to Spain, Germany, and Austria.

Sixteen years later, MBE Worldwide is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MBE operated by the Fiorelli family. They purchased the right to the MBE name in the rest of the world, leaving just the US and Canada under the auspices of MBE US. Today, all trademarks, the MBE business format, and all Master franchise contracts outside of North America are part of MBE Worldwide.

1993-2000

After purchasing the MBE Italy Master franchise, Graziano Fiorelli and his family expand the network to over 300 Business Centres. Present in more than 80% of Italian provinces, this makes MBE Italy the most successful MBE master franchise.

2000-2005

During this period, the Master franchises for Spain, Germany, and Austria become are acquired by Fiorelli. Across those four countries, more than 600 MBE Business Centres are part of the new MBE Worldwide network.

2005-2010

MBE Worldwide acquires the existing MBE franchise system outside of North America. Combined with ongoing expansion elsewhere, this makes for a total of 1400 Business Centres in more than 40 countries. Estimated aggregated network turnover is around €330 million.

2010-2015

Twenty years of MBE Italy! MBE Worldwide’s portfolio of products and services now includes shipping, graphic design and printing, e-commerce, MBE Print – print cartridges and toner – as well as various other office and photographic products.

2016

MBE Worldwide adds another hundred locations on four continents. Estimated aggregated network revenue now exceeds €400 million.

2017

MBE Worldwide acquires the US-based companies PostNet and AlphaGraphics Inc. as well as several others. The MBE network now consists of 2500+ Business Centres spread through more than 40 countries around the world.

2020

Agreement with Oaktree.
Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. acquire up to 40% ownership in MBE Worldwide.

2021

Further Acquisitions
MBE acquires PACK & SEND and Multicopy; MBE establishes a direct presence in the UK and Ireland.

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