PostNet centres combine print-and-design production with private mailbox rental and multi-carrier shipping — a broader mix than a single-carrier shipping storefront. That means a resale's diligence covers two things a typical retail franchise wouldn't: the print and large-format equipment, and the private mailbox rental agreements themselves, which are ongoing customer contracts with their own notice obligations.
PostNet resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
The offer sets price and structure, conditioned on franchisor consent and a review of the print equipment and the active private mailbox rental base.
1–2 weeks†The franchisor reviews the proposed buyer and may exercise a right of first refusal before the sale can proceed.
several weeks, typically†A franchise disclosure document may still be required for this resale — Ontario courts read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, so franchisor involvement in the sale can trigger it even where it's framed as a private deal.
assessed early†Getting to closing
The landlord's written consent to assign the lease is pursued for the retail centre.
2–6 weeks†Large-format print and design equipment is confirmed as owned versus financed, private mailbox renters are notified of the change of operator, and the incoming owner completes franchisor training.
2–3 weeks†Funds and keys change hands, equipment and inventory are confirmed, and the franchisor confirms the transfer is complete.
1 day, once conditions are met†postnet.ca links directly to the postnetfranchise.com franchise portal with an active franchisee-testimonial section confirming ongoing Canadian recruitment
Ontario locations among the Canadian network
This is the first real decision in a PostNet resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The centre's print and design equipment, mailbox fixtures, carrier account relationships, leasehold improvements, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to franchisor consent. | The shares of the operating company — everything it owns, and everything it owes. |
| Seller's liabilities | Generally stay behind with the seller's existing corporation. | Generally come with the company, known and unknown. |
| Franchise agreement | Consent required for the specific centre, often paired with a current-form agreement. | Consent required for the change of control itself. |
| Private mailbox (PMB) rental agreements | Active box-holder rental agreements are ongoing customer contracts that transfer with notice to renters of the change of operator — treated as a disclosed set of continuing obligations, not a blank slate. | Contracts generally continue uninterrupted, since the contracting corporation doesn't change. |
| Print & design equipment | Large-format printers and design-production equipment are confirmed as owned outright versus leased or financed, with a PPSA search for any lender or lessor interest. | Equipment financing arrangements generally stay in place with the corporation. |
| The lease | Needs the landlord's written consent to assign. | Usually stays in place, unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause. |
| Typical use | The default for most single-centre resales. | Less common — occasionally used where an operator holds several centres under one company. |
The centre's print and design equipment, mailbox fixtures, carrier account relationships, leasehold improvements, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to franchisor consent.
The shares of the operating company — everything it owns, and everything it owes.
Generally stay behind with the seller's existing corporation.
Generally come with the company, known and unknown.
Consent required for the specific centre, often paired with a current-form agreement.
Consent required for the change of control itself.
Active box-holder rental agreements are ongoing customer contracts that transfer with notice to renters of the change of operator — treated as a disclosed set of continuing obligations, not a blank slate.
Contracts generally continue uninterrupted, since the contracting corporation doesn't change.
Large-format printers and design-production equipment are confirmed as owned outright versus leased or financed, with a PPSA search for any lender or lessor interest.
Equipment financing arrangements generally stay in place with the corporation.
Needs the landlord's written consent to assign.
Usually stays in place, unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause.
The default for most single-centre resales.
Less common — occasionally used where an operator holds several centres under one company.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single PostNet centre changing hands between one buyer and one seller, with a clean mailbox-agreement roster and unencumbered equipment.
Start my file →A multi-unit operator adding a PostNet centre to an existing portfolio, or a resale where financed print equipment or a mailbox-agreement question needs to be resolved before terms are final.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
Yes, typically — private mailbox rental agreements are ongoing customer contracts, so renters are notified of the change of operator, and outstanding rental terms are reviewed as part of the deal rather than left unaddressed.
Not automatically assumed — a PPSA search is a standard step to confirm which large-format printers and production equipment are owned outright versus subject to an equipment lease or lender's security interest.
PostNet centres typically work across multiple shipping carriers rather than one exclusive account, so a resale's diligence reviews each carrier relationship separately for how it's reissued to the new owner.
Possibly. Ontario courts have read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and franchisor involvement in matching a buyer to a seller can be enough to trigger a full disclosure requirement even where the deal is framed as a private resale.
That's identified during diligence and disclosed as part of the deal — prepaid PMB terms are typically treated as an assumed obligation the buyer honours, factored into how the purchase price and any adjustments are set.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by PostNet or its franchisor.
Tell us about your PostNet resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.