AURORA, Colo., Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Pak Mail Centers of America, Inc.
has entered into a master franchise agreement with Sawada Sungyo Co., Ltd. of
Japan.  This announcement represents a significant milestone in the
accomplishment of Pak Mail's long-range international development strategy.
The development of franchises in Japan opens the gateway to Asia and the Far
East.  The first Pak Mail Center in Japan is due to open in June, 1998 in the
City of Nagoya.
    Similar Pak Mail franchise agreements are in place in Mexico, Argentina,
Chile, Canada, Venezuela, New Zealand, Australia and the United States.  Under
the terms of a master franchise agreement, the licensee develops and operates
a number of Pak Mail locations and will market and sell the franchise
opportunity to individuals throughout the licensed country.  It is anticipated
that in the Fall of 1998, the master licensee group will begin their search
for franchise partners to own and operate stores within Japan.  Sawada intends
to target Tokyo and Osaka in their initial franchise development.
    "Our first exposure to Pak Mail was at the International Franchise
Expo in Los Angeles in September, 1997.  We were quite interested in the
concept of 'convenience business stores' and Pak Mail was a superior example
of competency in this area.  After participating in a full orientation at the
Pak Mail head office in November, our final choice was made," says master
licensee Sadao Sawada.
    Franchises in Japan will offer packaging and shipping services, mail box
rental, and business support services like faxing, copying, the same basic Pak
Mail services that are offered throughout the U.S.  As new services are
identified that are specific to the environment in Japan, they will be added
to the basic menu of services.
    "Japan is now experiencing an unstable economy.  I know that the U.S. has
gone through similar stages of uncertainties and have converted such
situations into the present positive economy.  I believe that Japan can
duplicate the success of the U.S. through the importation of a new business
concept like Pak Mail," adds Sawada.  "There is no other business currently
offering the comprehensive, professional services in Japan that are available
at Pak Mail."
    "We cannot overstate the importance of our franchise expansion to Japan
and the fact that this milestone development further validates our continuing
commitment to growth.  Of the many record-breaking successes we experienced in
1997, we look to Japan as a major opportunity for the company," says John
Kelly, Pak Mail CEO.
    There are presently over 325 operating Pak Mail franchises in North
America with sixteen domestic and international area developers.  Pak Mail
Centers of America, Inc., headquartered in Aurora, CO, is a publicly held
company traded under the symbol PMCX.  For information, call 1-800-833-2821.

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