3@1 Franchise

What 3@1 Franchise does

3@1 Franchise (legal entity: 3at1 Franchising (Pty) Ltd) is a privately held South African retail franchise founded in 1999 and headquartered in Fourways, Johannesburg. The company recruits and supports franchisees who operate 3@1 Business Centres — one-stop retail stores delivering digital printing, wide-format signage production, photographic printing, and international/domestic courier services to local businesses, consumers, and corporate customers. The franchise has grown to 96 stores across four countries (South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Mauritius), with 48 of those stores located in Gauteng province alone.

The core product offering is built on four integrated service pillars: The Printing Station (in-store colour and mono digital printing, copying, scanning, and finishing); Wide Format production (large-format vinyl, banners, posters, and signage); a DHL Express courier counter in every store (international and domestic shipments plus e-commerce returns); and a PhotoMe self-service photo station powered by Fujifilm (photo prints, collages, photo books, and while-you-wait ID photos). In 2023 the company extended this stack with an Online Trading Platform that lets customers place print and courier orders digitally through franchisee-managed channels. Each franchisee is also issued a dedicated branch website connected to the national brand, and the network uses an interactive store finder built on Leaflet/OpenStreetMap.

The business model is a classic retail franchise: the franchisor collects upfront franchise/investment fees for turn-key store opening (fit-out, equipment, stock, systems) and likely ongoing royalties or brand fees, while individual franchisees own and operate each store and earn revenue from end-customer transactions. The corporate team (11–50 employees) is led by Managing Director Chris Dunn, who has run the business since 1999 and is also a co-founder/director of PostNet SA and Cash Converters SA, supported by Franchise Development Director Belinda Dunn and four operations managers. The company has no disclosed external investors and operates across nine South African provinces plus three international markets.

Name

3@1 Franchise

Legal name

3at1 Franchising (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://3at1.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

3@1 Franchise is a privately held South African retail franchise operating 96 Business Centres across four countries, offering one-stop digital printing, wide-format signage, photographic printing, and DHL courier services to local SMBs, consumers, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Franchise Fees and Initial Investment: Franchisees pay an initial investment fee to join the 3@1 franchise. The investment covers turn-key store opening including fit-out, equipment, stock and systems. Specific investment amounts are detailed in the information pack.
2. Store Operations Revenue: Individual franchise stores generate revenue from digital printing, photo printing, wide-format printing, courier services, and other business services offered to customers in their communities.
3. Online Trading Platform: 3@1 has developed an Online Trading facility offered and managed by approved franchisees, allowing customers to place print and courier orders digitally.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

3@1 Franchise operates a retail franchise system of 96 Business Centres across Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Mauritius) providing in-store digital printing, wide-format signage production, photographic printing via PhotoMe/Fujifilm self-service stations, and DHL Express courier counter services. The franchisor recruits franchisees, providing turn-key store fit-out, equipment, training, brand partnerships, and ongoing operational support, while franchisees generate revenue by serving local businesses and consumers in their communities.

Product overview

3@1 Business Centre is a one-stop retail franchise offering essential business services. The model comprises four integrated service pillars: The Printing Station (digital colour/mono printing, copying, scanning and finishing), Wide Format (large-format vinyl, banners, posters and signage), DHL Courier Counter (international and domestic express services via DHL partnership), and PhotoMe & Fujifilm (self-service photo printing and ID photos). An online trading platform enables web-based order placement. The franchise operates 96 stores across South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Mauritius.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Printiva: A mascot projection brand mentioned in marketing materials for the printing services.

Products and services

• The Printing Station
• Wide Format Production
• DHL Courier Counter
• PhotoMe and Fujifilm Photo Station
• Online Trading Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• Stores operating successfully for 10+ years with many franchisees experiencing continued growth
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• DHL ExpresscoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal logistics partnership providing competitive, convenient express courier services, both international and local, plus effortless e-commerce returns. DHL provides credibility and footfall from day one for franchise stores.
• FujifilmcoreTechnology or IntegrationFujifilm powers the PhotoMe self-service photo station at each store location. Customers can select, edit and print photos, collages and photo books at the touch of a button, plus access professional while-you-wait ID photo facility.
• PhotoMecoreTechnology or IntegrationPhotoMe self-service photo station technology provides automated photo printing and ID photo capabilities in every store.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PostNet: South African franchise offering courier, printing, and business services through retail stores. The most direct comparable - same founder (Chris Dunn co-founded PostNet SA) and similar service mix, making it the closest peer in the Southern African print/courier franchise category.
• Minuteman Press: International printing franchise with hundreds of locations globally, offering digital printing, copying, and design services. Closest global equivalent to 3@1's print-focused franchise model with similar target SMB customers and store-level economics.
• Sir Speedy: US-based printing and marketing services franchise with global presence, offering digital printing, copying, signage, and marketing services. Direct comparable in the printing franchise category serving SMBs and consumers.
• The UPS Store: US-based franchise offering shipping, printing, and business services through retail locations. Closest international comparable combining courier (UPS) and printing services through a franchise retail model, similar to 3@1's DHL + printing model.
• AlphaGraphics: International printing and marketing services franchise operating business centres. Direct comparable in the print franchise space, particularly for wide-format signage and marketing material production similar to 3@1's Wide Format pillar.
• PostalAnnex+: US-based franchise offering packing, shipping, printing, and business services at retail locations. Comparable service mix to 3@1 including shipping/courier and print services under one roof through a franchise model.
• Pak Mail: US-based shipping, freight, and business services franchise. Comparable to 3@1's DHL courier counter offering through retail franchise locations, though Pak Mail is more courier-heavy than 3@1.

Broad incumbents

• Cash Converters: South African franchise offering financial and retail services. Co-founded by Chris Dunn (3@1's MD), making it a directly related franchise system with shared leadership DNA, similar franchise operations expertise, and overlapping Southern African footprint.
• Spur Steak Ranches: Major South African franchise restaurant chain where Chris Dunn served as Franchise Director before founding 3@1. Provides context on the broader South African franchise ecosystem in which 3@1 operates and shares operational talent pipelines.

Regional players

• ActionCOACH: Global business coaching franchise with strong South African presence. Comparable as a South African-rooted franchise system serving SMBs, though in a different service category (coaching rather than print/courier).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/3at1Franchise
• Facebookfacebook.com/about
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3-1-franchise

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 3@1 Franchise