Our History
From the first MBE Service Center opened in Italy back in 1993, up to today's global presence.
Our history is our future
Founded in San Diego, California in 1980, Mail Boxes Etc. was introduced in Italy in 1993 by Graziano Fiorelli as Master licensee for the MBE brand. Since opening the pilot Center in 1993 the Italian MBE Network has grown to over 580 Centers. MBE Italy also subsequently acquired MBE Master Licenses rights for Spain, Germany and Austria.
In 2009, MBE Worldwide – a wholly owned subsidiary of the Italian Fiorelli family – acquired from MBE U.S. Inc., a subsidiary of UPS Inc., the Mail Boxes Etc. worldwide business (excluding the U.S. and Canada, which remain under MBE U.S. Inc.), including trademarks, business format and all existing Master Franchising contracts. With the acquisition, MBE Worldwide became the sole owner of the Mail Boxes Etc. brand and franchisor of the MBE franchise system.
1980
Mail Boxes Etc. started in San Diego, California.
1993
Graziano Fiorelli becomes Mail Boxes Etc. Master Licensee for Italy.
2000
We acquire 60% of Mail Boxes Etc. Spain.
2001
We acquire the majority of Mail Boxes Etc. Germany.
2009
We form MBE Worldwide to acquire Mail Boxes Etc. from UPS (except in the U.S. and Canada).
2010
1,370 Mail Boxes Etc. Service Centres in the World.
2012
Mail Boxes Etc. establishes a direct presence in France.
2014
Mail Boxes Etc. establishes a direct presence in Poland.
2016
1,500+ Mail Boxes Etc. Service Centres in the World.
2017
MBE Worldwide acquires PostNet and Alphagraphics in the U.S.
2018
We acquire majority ownership of 44 Centres from franchisees, creating a Directly Operated Stores (DOS) Platform.
2020
We sign the agreement with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. to acquire up to a 40% ownership interest in Mail Boxes Etc. Worldwide via a restricted capital increase in order to support additional growth.
2021
We acquire PACK & SEND in Australia, New Zealand and UK, Multicopy in the Netherlands and PrestaShop, the leading e-commerce platform in Europe and Latin America. We establish a direct presence in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
2022
We acquire GEL Proximity in Italy and World Options in the UK, USA, Australia, Singapore, the Netherlands and Belgium.
2023
MBE Worldwide acquires PACK & SEND UK to further strengthen its presence in the UK market.