In India, the logistics and delivery industry has evolved from being only about documents to serving as the central nervous system of India’s rapidly growing digital economy. India’s rapid growth in this sector offers great opportunities for potential entrepreneurs, particularly as it relates to the courier franchise model, which is a particularly stable and profitable model.
The data makes this growth clear: the Indian express parcel market is expected to grow from 8-9 billion shipments, in FY 2024 to 24-29 billion shipments, by FY 2030. There is a direct relationship with e-commerce and the rapid growth in online shoppers, which is upwards of 270 million – the second largest in the world behind the United States and the largest e-retail market in the world now.
In addition, last-mile delivery (the final stage of the delivery process) is projected to go from USD 6.50 Billion in 2024 to USD 24.00 Billion in 2033. This guide will help you about the courier franchise in India and provide you with the research of the leading players and general summaries on how to set up a delivery business.
Why the Courier Franchise Business is Thriving in India
India’s courier industry is going through a golden age because of the influence of several major economic and social trends. Appreciating the advantages of courier franchises mainly comes from knowing these key trends.
The big transformation from E-commerce to the D2C movement
The biggest factor driving the trend is the fast expansion of e-commerce. Because Amazon and Flipkart are expanding in the country and online direct sales are booming, more people now need safe and dependable parcel delivery.
It is expected that e-commerce packages will increase at about 23-24% every year, reaching almost 15-16 billion packages in FY 2030. The business chance presented by online orders is captured by courier companies with the help of franchisees, who serve as the last step. Opportunities like the Blinkit Franchise Cost also reflect the growing interest in delivery-based franchise models in India.
The Hyperlocal and Quick Commerce Boom
The trend of expecting things fast has developed the quick commerce area in express logistics. Airlines that guarantee fast delivery of anything from groceries to essential items and food are expanding so rapidly that they are expected to grow at a CAGR of 33-50% until 2030. As a result, it becomes an environment that works well for franchises able to handle localized delivery efficiently.
Penetration into Bharat: The Tier-II and Tier-III Goldmine
Further growth is now happening in places outside the metro areas. Almost 55% of orders in e-commerce now come from Tier-II and Tier-III cities, as people there are quick to use e-commerce. Enterprising courier brands want to make the most of this new market, which means local business owners have chances to open a branch in their area, using their local understanding and lower expenses.
The Formalization of the Economy and B2B Growth
Since GST was put in place and efforts to formalize the economy are increasing, all types of businesses, small and large, need reliable partners for handling invoices, samples, and finished products. Therefore, the predictable income supported by B2B business helps offset the changing nature and timing of B2C e-commerce deliveries.
Key Factors to Consider Before Investing in a Courier Franchise
Choosing a courier franchise in India is a significant undertaking and requires careful due diligence. Aside from the name, there are a number of important aspects that will ultimately affect the profitability and operational ease over the long term.
Network Reach and Serviceability Assessment
Take a look at the franchisor network, both nationally and especially in your target area. The greater the presence the brand has, as well as the serviceability across pin codes, the greater number of customers you can access for inbound and outbound shipments. A larger network also supports better operational efficiency and shorter transportation time.
Investment Structure vs. Potential ROI
Get the full information about the company’s finances. Be sure to set aside the first fee, the charges for office fitting, branding, required items such as computers, scanners, and weighing scales, as well as enough working capital for several months. Calculate if a company’s investment is greater or less than its stated profit margins and check if it usually takes that company more or less time than average to understand its financial status.
Training and Introduction Program
Reputable franchisors make sure you succeed by giving you a detailed training program. You should pay attention to all the tasks involved in booking and delivering as well as handling customer issues, methods for finding local clients, and working with the software they provide. Find out how much time the training takes and what kind it is, as well as whether help is offered after the course is done.
Top 10 Courier Franchise in India
1. DTDC Express Limited
- Founder: Subhasish Chakraborty
- Founded in: 1990
- Address: DTDC House, No. 3, Victoria Road, Bangalore – 560047, Karnataka, India.
- Website Link: https://www.dtdc.in/
One of the major and much penetrated courier service networks in India belongs to DTDC (Desk to Desk Courier & Cargo) which is now a household name in terms of courier services. The franchise model of this company is one of the oldest and most successful in the country having enabled thousands of entrepreneurs. It is top courier franchise in india. DTDC has been able to maintain balance in its portfolio of clients by providing services to individuals, small businesses as well as e-commerce players in large numbers at competitive prices.
The company provides over the top robust training, technology, and marketing support for their franchisees which make its ecosystem very supportive for franchisees. Getting a DTDC franchise is to exploit a ready existing flow of loads or parcels at high volumes with a brand that is loved in every nook and cranny of our country. For first timers in entrepreneurship, starting a microscale business is the best choice because there is enough low investment and high volume of business prospects in this, plus the business works and is sustainable.
- Investment: ₹50,000 – ₹2 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: 20% – 30%
- Break-even Period: 6 – 18 Months
- Franchise Models: Single Unit Franchise, Master Franchise, Super Franchise
- Space Requirement: 200 – 300 sq. ft.
2. Blue Dart Express Ltd.
- Founder: Tushar Jani, Clyde Cooper, Khushroo Dubash
- Founded in: 1983
- Address: Blue Dart Centre, Sahar Airport Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400 099, India.
- Website Link: https://www.bluedart.com/
Driven by the uncompromising services and high level of trust and confidence that Blue Dart has earned itself, the company is without doubt among the most prestigious, and premium express air and integrated transportation and distribution companies in India. It is a subsidiary of the DHL Group and hence enjoys unchallenged access to the biggest global logistics networks as it ranks as the top domestic as well as international shippers.
It is the best known partner for various big corporations as well as e-commerce giants like amazon or flipkart, due to the fact that the brand is synonymous with speed, security and reliability.
A franchisee is an aspirational business and is a respected as well as trusted business in the market. The company is well known for its quality controls, technology and a strong, unbreakable commitment to on time delivery. For example, an entrepreneur will be taking care of high value shipments and serving premium clients, which will usually lead to a stable and well respected business operation surrounded with great brand recognition.
- Investment: ₹2 Lakhs – ₹5 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: 15% – 25% (commission-based on shipments)
- Break-even Period: 9 – 12 Months
- Franchise Models: Delivery Franchise (Last-Mile), Booking & Delivery Franchise
- Space Requirement: 250 – 400 sq. ft. (ground floor preferred)
3. Gati Limited
- Founder: Mahendra Agarwal
- Founded in: 1989
- Address: Plot No.20, Survey No.12, Kothaguda, Kondapur, Hyderabad – 500084, Telangana, India.
- Website Link: https://www.gati.com/
Gati is a pioneer and front runner in the space of express distribution and Supply Chain Solutions in India. A part of the Allcargo Logistics, Gati comes with a wide bouquet of services like express distribution, warehousing and freight forwarding.
B2B logistics being the main focus in the company, the company has served in the automotive, pharmaceuticals among other textile industries. As one of the prominent B2B Companies in India, Gati exemplifies how logistics firms can drive industry growth.
Leaving aside franchise of Gati, what is an opportunity to be a part of a more specialized more high value proposition Logistics business in line with the desire of the government.
The brand offers extensive support and a digital first approach to its partners with a chatbot hosted on WhatsApp for its partners to access service service very fast. A Gati franchise can be a great chance for those entrepreneurs who heavily rely on logistics or have a solid B2B network to start building a scalable business focusing on value added supply chain solutions other than the usual courier services.
- Investment: ₹2 Lakhs – ₹10 Lakhs (Varies significantly based on model)
- Profit Margin: 15% – 25%
- Break-even Period: 18 – 30 Months
- Franchise Models: Channel Partner (various levels)
- Space Requirement: 400 – 1000 sq. ft.
4. Delhivery Ltd.
- Founder: Sahil Barua, Mohit Tandon, Bhavesh Manglani, Suraj Saharan, Kapil Bharati
- Founded in: 2011
- Address: Plot no. 5, Khasra no. 24, Sahrawas, Sector-76, Gurugram, Haryana – 122004, India.
- Website Link: https://www.delhivery.com/
Delhivery is the new age Indian logistics that is based on the bedrock of leading technology and data science. It was started as a hyperlocal delivery service and is now one of the biggest fully integrated logistics providers in India. Delhivery gives you a chance to be a partner of a leader in the e-commerce logistics market.
At the core of its strength, the company is at work with highly advanced operational infrastructure which offers its franchisees with powerful tools such as route optimization, real-time tracking and payment reconciliation. It is the best courier franchise in india.
Delhivery offers unique types of franchise models depending on the investment level like booking center, and delivery network partner. As it’s a tech centric industry with a lot of innovation running at each corner, it makes it an attractive option for tech savvy entrepreneurs who want to be a part of the innovation driven ecosystem that powers some of the biggest names of Indian e-commerce.
- Investment: ₹50,000 – ₹2 Lakhs for booking franchises; higher for delivery networks.
- Profit Margin: 15% – 20%
- Break-even Period: 12 – 24 Months
- Franchise Models: Own Courier Store (OCS), Managed Delivery Network (MDN)
- Space Requirement: 150 – 300 sq. ft. for OCS; 400-800 sq. ft. for MDN
5. The Professional Couriers (TPC)
- Founder: A group of experienced professionals
- Founded in: 1987
- Address: 12/2, Mount Road, Little Mount, Saidapet, Chennai – 600015, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Website Link: http://www.tpcindia.com/
TPC Professional Couriers has become an acceptable and inexpensive courier service offering a good network of courier service all over India and abroad. The customer service is what got built up the brand on and the franchisee centric business model that the brand is built on. Corporate and SME segments have a big presence of TPC having a dependable solution for document and parcel deliveries.
If you are a budding entrepreneur you can very well start with a TPC franchise as they provide a great brand along with a reliable business model and stable customer base. The operational process of the company and its franchise system is relatively easy to run as it is straight forward. If you desire to construct a standard business, where quality of service and steadiness in service performance is a priority for B2B and B2C segments it is a good choice.
- Investment: ₹50,000 – ₹2 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: 20% – 25%
- Break-even Period: 12 – 24 Months
- Franchise Models: Unit Franchise, Master Franchise
- Space Requirement: 150 – 300 sq. ft.
6. Trackon Couriers Pvt. Ltd.
- Founder: A team of four entrepreneurs
- Founded in: 2002
- Address: A-64, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase-1, New Delhi – 110028, India.
- Website Link: https://trackon.in/
Though its network is all over the country, Trackon couriers has made a strong claim in the domestic courier market seeing its primary goal in providing courier services to North and West India. The company was started on the basis of the vision that services of this kind can be rendered to the client at a low cost and on a reliable basis.
In terms of franchise model, Trackon provides a very clear and structured model where entrepreneurs have an opportunity to grow from a single unit to a super business associate who runs the whole district. It is an amazing courier franchise in India. It is a tiered structure that takes care of clear expansion and scalability. The franchisee’s lean operation model of the brand gave healthy profit margins. An entrepreneur in Tier-II or Tier-III cities with a brand that has strong regional focus, looking for growth is the right business to be in with FMCG of Haldiram’s.
- Investment: ₹50,000 – ₹5 Lakhs (depending on the model)
- Profit Margin: 25% – 35%
- Break-even Period: 12 – 20 Months
- Franchise Models: Single Unit Business Associate, Master Business Associate, Super Business Associate
- Space Requirement: 200 – 1200 sq. ft. (based on the model)
7. Shree Maruti Courier Services Pvt. Ltd.
- Founder: Ajay Mokariya
- Founded in: 1985
- Address: “Maruti Complex”, 2-Thaltej, Near Gurudwara, Sarkhej – Gandhinagar Highway, Ahmedabad – 380054, Gujarat, India.
- Website Link: https://shreemaruti.com/
For over three decades Shree Maruti Courier has built an enviable presence in the western and southern part of India. The brand boasts on the motto of ‘spreading SMILe’ through timely and quick deliveries. Apart from that, it gives the services of the courier, cargo and warehousing solutions. It is a great courier franchise in India. The franchisee brings to the table the legacy Shree Maruti brings along and with the help of its deep rooted network of supplier, dealer and buyers in the key industrial and commercial hubs.
This also means that the company demands that its partners need to have a bit of experience in the industry to keep the high service standards. Being associated to Shree Maruti in Shree Maruti’s core markets, presents an opportunity to the entrepreneurs to partner with a reputed regional powerhouse known for both its operational excellence and strong customer relationships.
- Investment: ₹50,000 – ₹3 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: 20% – 30%
- Break-even Period: 12 – 18 Months
- Franchise Models: Channel Partner Program
- Space Requirement: Minimum 100 sq. ft. (ground floor, road-facing)
8. XpressBees
- Founder: Amitava Saha, Supam Maheshwari
- Founded in: 2015
- Address: Building No. 4, S.No- 479/480/481, Global Village, Off Mumbai-Bangalore Highway, Mylasandra, RVCE Post, Bangalore – 560059, Karnataka, India.
- Website Link: https://www.xpressbees.com/
XpressBees is spun off from FirstCry, its e-commerce company into a specialist in end to end e commerce logistics. Being one of the fastest growing logistics service providers in India, it handles a huge volume of parcels for a large span of online businesses. Having been long regarded for its breadth of services that cover last mile delivery, reverse logistics, payments collection and cross border service, the brand’s expertise relies on the same.
XpressBees franchise unfolds the path of soaring e-commerce boom which will lead you to the deepest part of the e-commerce boom. The franchisees get to keep a very high percentage of the delivery fee making the company’s commission model very attractive. As it requires very little workmanship and gives enormous earning potential, it is just an ideal decision to plunge into entrepreneurship for individuals keen to go for the high-volume e-commerce delivery section and with delivery operation handling abilities.
- Investment: ₹60,000 – ₹2.5 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: Up to 90% commission on delivery fees (gross margin). Net profit varies.
- Break-even Period: 6 – 12 Months
- Franchise Models: Delivery Franchise Partner
- Space Requirement: 100 – 400 sq. ft.
9. Ecom Express
- Founder: T. A. Krishnan, Manju Dhawan, K. Satyanarayana, Sanjeev Saxena
- Founded in: 2012
- Address: Ground Floor, 13/16, Samalka, Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road, Kapashera, New Delhi – 110037, India.
- Website Link: https://ecomexpress.in/
Having established the very purpose of the company was to serve the Indian e-commerce industry, Ecom Express was formed. Extensive reach — stretching across the length and breadth of the country—and ability to handle huge volumes with precision puts the company in a position that it has earned its reputation. Ecom Express provides a full range of services like prepaid,Cash on delivery services as well as reverse logistics and quality control checks.
The franchise program of the brand is also highly supportive, as in some models the company itself pays for rent as well as the electricity bill and pays handsome commission on sales. It is a great courier franchise in India. In other words, this relieves the franchisee from paying a huge amount of money and gives them the chance to concentrate on developing the business and improving the service quality. It is a perfect model for entrepreneurs who need a close integration with a big e-commerce logistics player.
- Investment: ₹2 Lakhs – ₹10 Lakhs (varies by model)
- Profit Margin: Around 30% commission on booking and delivery revenue.
- Break-even Period: 12 – 24 Months
- Franchise Models: Delivery Center Franchise, City Hub Franchise
- Space Requirement: 100 – 200 sq. ft.
10. InXpress
- Founder: John Thompson
- Founded in: 1999 (Globally), 2011 (India)
- Address: A-503, The Capital, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai – 400051, Maharashtra, India.
- Website Link: https://in.inxpress.com/
From an asset light franchise standpoint, InXpress has a unique franchise model in that. Franchisees sell or ship physical goods, but instead of handling the physical parcel they are sales consultants or shipping specialists. To provide small and medium businesses a low cost way to ship products, they use their bulk shipping agreement with world class carriers like DHL.
The franchisee is a white-collar B2B franchise and as such relationship building, customer interface and account management are their responsibilities, while all the physical logistics are the responsibility of the carrier partners. Such a model does away with warehouses, vehicles, and heaps of employees.
The thing about it is, if you’re the type of person who has the sales and networking skills in spades and you want to run a professional business to business consultancy with high recurring revenue and minimal operational overheads. It’s the perfect place to be. It is different and it is a more strategic entry into the logistics industry.
- Investment: ₹10 Lakhs – ₹20 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: High recurring margins on customer shipping volume (around 30% royalty to the franchisor)
- Break-even Period: 12 – 24 Months
- Franchise Models: Unit Franchise
- Space Requirement: Minimal; can be started from a home office.
How to Choose the Right Courier Franchise in India
- A Self-Assessment of Your Ambition and Financial Position: First of all, assess your entrepreneurial style and financial position. Are you interested in operating a hands-on, high volume operational business (i.e. DTDC and XpressBees) or more of a sales-focused, B2B type of business (i.e. InXpress)? Be realistic about your investment capability. India’s market has businesses that range from as little as ₹50,000 to 20+ lakhs. Your overall budget will be the main filter for your options.
- Market Opportunity Assessment: Next, research your target locality? Is it a densely populated residential area (higher e-commerce consumption) or a commercial / business district with multiple small businesses? Use the tools online and your local knowledge to make assumptions about potential parcel volume. For example, if you are considering a franchise that will do well with e-commerce deliveries, then residential suburbs make more sense. B2B-focused freight franchise brands may do better in a commercial / industrial area like Blue Dart, Gati or similar.
- Franchisor Due Diligence: Once you have a shortlist, take the time to investigate beyond the brochure. Speak with at least 3-5 existing franchisees for that brand. Ask questions about their real profit margins and the level of support from the head office, as well as, the challenges of running a business on a day-to-day basis. This information is more useful and valuable than any marketing materials for the franchise group.
Steps to Start a Courier Franchise in India
- Initial Inquiry and Application. Visit the brand’s website and fill out the franchise inquiry form. This is the first official formality, where you submit your details and express your interest.
- Initial Discussion and Qualification. The brand’s regional personnel will contact you to schedule an enhanced initial discussion. This is an opportunity for the brand to qualify you and get a sense of your financial background, business experience, and understanding of your local market.
- Location Selection and Approval. You will need to find a location for your office/hub. The brand will send its representative to assess your potential site visit, and to evaluate critical factors such as accessibility, visibility, etc. and proximity to your customers.
- Legal elements and Agreement. After you and the brand have approved your location, you will move forward with the necessary legal paperwork. This is when you will also sign a franchise agreement formally laid out the terms and conditions. We highly recommend that you have a lawyer review this agreement.
- Launch. After you’ve completed all the setup and training, you can plan your launch. It’s fairly common that the franchisor will have an advertising budget for you to utilize to help publicize your launch.
Conclusion
The courier franchise in India is an area of enormous opportunity with the digital era leading the convoy. The industry seems poised for double-digit growth rates and the e-commerce logistics sector, alone, is predicting an astonishing INR 601.09 Bn by 2029. For the aspiring entrepreneur, this is a brilliant pathway to build a scalable and profitable business. Despite these glowing prospects for success, it needs to be realized – success is not guaranteed.
It necessitates careful consideration in selecting a brand that shares the same vision, an understanding of your local market, and a commitment to operational efficiency and service. The value of an established brand, combined with your local knowledge and entrepreneurial vision, can assist you in delivering the promise of this burgeoning industry and provide you with a serviceable business “on the go”.
FAQs
Which courier franchise in India is the most successful financially?
Profitability is model and location dependent. Models with large volume in a lower cash investment, such as DTDC or XpressBees, can be very leveraged in densely populated areas, while premium price B2B franchises, such as Blue Dart, can deliver large returns from their corporate clients.
Can I start a courier franchise without experience?
Yes, most companies will provide full training. However, having real business management and sales abilities can be very helpful.
What is the single worst operational issue a new franchisee will experience?
The delivery fleet and people are likely the greatest challenges. It is essential to be able to count on the delivery people being reliable, as well as efficient and trained to achieve the success you envision for your business.
What is an advisable amount of working capital to hold aside?
You should have 3 – 6 month of operating expenses (various salaries, rent, utilities, fuel, etc) set aside in working capital so that you can get started without financial strain.
