Delivery Franchise Fastway Couriers Ireland have reached yet another milestone as they celebrate 5 years in business. National Master Franchisees, Gerry Riordan and Andy Hennessy, launched the Fastway Courier Franchise system in Ireland in March 2002 from the Franchising Support Office in Swords, Co. Dublin. This company now provides employment for over 200 people, of which 125 are franchisees. The Courier franchise in Ireland have scooped 2 International awards for Best Emerging Franchising business in Ireland and were also given honours by Swords Fingal Chamber of Commerce last year, when they won the overall Marketing Innovation Award and were recently short listed for an award by the Irish Franchise Association. Bill McGowan, past Chairman of the World Franchise Council, founded Fastway Couriers in New Zealand, in 1983 when he saw a market niche for a low cost franchise delivery service, utilising a simple pricing system. Fastway then began offering franchise opportunities in 1984, becoming well known as one of the best franchises in the delivery and courier market.

With over 1,800 franchisees and turnover exceeding $315 million per annum, Fastway is the worlds largest courier franchise opportunity. Presently the Fastway franchise business operates in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Spain, The Netherlands, England, Wales, and Scotland. The Fastway Global franchise expansion plan beckons The United States in 2008. Fastway has twice been named the overall Franchise System of the Year in Australia and in New Zealand and is Australias fastest growing private company (Source: Business Review Weekly Magazine). The Fastway franchise system is unique in Ireland as it is the only fully franchised courier system. Another unique aspect is that each exclusive territory within the Fastway Courier system is an asset and can be sold or split for capital gain.

The Fastway Couriers experience is that each courier territory has split on average 4 times hence there is an ongoing recruitment requirement and growth potential for the business. Research has shown that the success rate for franchise operations is 93% after five years, compared to only 50% for people who start their own businesses. Andy Hennessy, co-founder of Fastway Couriers Ireland comments The Fastway Courier Franchise system offers a unique opportunity to potential franchisees as the investment entry level is relatively low starting at €12,500 for an exclusive territory with the added benefits of a guaranteed initial income, the weight of a global brand, sales support and an existing customer base.

The Fastway delivery franchising business has prospered in Ireland because local entrepreneurs recognised it was one of the best Irish delivery franchise business opportunities available.