Business View - January 2015 69
The investment range for franchisees runs between
$65,000 and $146,250, depending on individual cir-
cumstances, and includes the franchise fee, training
expenses, computers, office rent and furniture, profes-
sional fees, insurance and working capital. Approved
candidates get five days of comprehensive training in
logistics best practices, technology, business develop-
ment and customer support.
From there, additional mentoring is available in mar-
keting, accounting and customer service.
“The market that we’re in is a $700 billion market,”
Harris said.
“Shipping is such a broad market, it’s every city, wheth-
er it’s urban or non-urban. Miami is a wonderful place
to be. But so is Des Moines, Iowa, so is Grand Rapids,
Mich. and Cleveland and the industrial areas, and so
is Grigsby, Idaho, and little places people don’t really
know. Pretty much anywhere in the United States right
now is a good market, as long as you’re within driving
distance to a good density of shippers or places where
people have businesses.”
BlueGrace’s infrastructure will soon be buffeted by the
hiring of another 40 people, and Harris said he expects
FRANCHISE
AT A GLANCE
WHO:
BlueGrace Logistics
WHAT:
Third-party logistics franchise providing
less-than truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL, TL)
and international freight shipping services
WHERE:
Corporate headquarters in Riverview, Fla
WEBSITE
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