The new “Light Franchise” model is set to increase the number of partners ninefold—from 553 to 5,000 people by the end of 2026. For small investors, this represents the first real entry into service infrastructure with a payback period starting from eight months.
NOVA Group, which controls Ukraine’s largest private postal and logistics network, has announced a radical shift in its partnership strategy. At the annual Nova Summit, Product Manager Oleksii Harkavyi presented the “Light Franchise” program—a modular system that, for the first time, opens network entry to a wide range of small investors and entrepreneurs, including in Kyiv, where franchise access was previously restricted.
The fundamental innovation of the model lies in its flexibility. Instead of a single standard format, a partner can choose a module that fits their resources: from providing their own premises for a branch to a simple investment in a parcel locker as a passive asset.
Modular Architecture: The Partner’s Choice
Unlike the classic “heavy” franchise, the new model is broken down into independent blocks. A partner is not required to implement all directions simultaneously; they start with what they have.
Available modules for partners:
- Branch in owned premises: The classic entry. Investment of 500,000–1,000,000 UAH, with no lump-sum fee or royalties.
- Pick-up point based on existing business: The lowest entry threshold. Suitable for shops, pharmacies, and coffee shops.
- Address delivery and inter-terminal transportation: For owners of vehicles or small fleets.
- Owned parcel locker as an asset: A passive income model. The partner invests in the machine, while the network provides the traffic.
Nova Post is shifting part of its future network expansion to a distributed capex model—infrastructure growth is funded not only by the company itself but also by partner capital.
Investment Attractiveness: The Numbers
The company declares a payback period starting from eight months and a total partner return of over 30%. The classic franchise does not involve a lump-sum fee or royalties; the model is monetized through operational flow. For comparison, most franchises in retail and catering have a payback horizon of 18–36 months.
Why Kyiv matters: The capital’s market was previously closed to franchisees—Nova Post developed the network there primarily on its own. The new model removes this restriction, potentially opening the country’s highest-traffic market to private capital.
Digital Backbone: The Partnership Portal
NOVA is investing in a digital platform to manage the franchise network. The “Partnership Portal” and a mobile app will provide franchisees with real-time analytics, income and expense tracking, packaging material ordering, and staff management. A full release is scheduled for September 2026.
Financial Context: Strong Revenue, Compressed Profit
The large-scale partnership program is unfolding against the backdrop of NOVA’s own massive investment program. In 2026, the company plans to invest approximately 3 billion UAH in new sorting terminals in Lviv, Vinnytsia, and Zhytomyr, as well as opening about 10,000 new service points (6,000 parcel lockers and 300 branches).
By the end of 2025, the group increased its revenue by 21% to over 54 billion UAH. The network in Ukraine reached 50,003 points: 15,817 branches and 34,186 parcel lockers. At the same time, net profit decreased by 37% to 2.6 billion UAH—a likely consequence of this investment program and wartime operational costs.
Bottom Line: What It Means for Investors
The “Light Franchise” is effectively the first mass-market tool for individuals and micro-businesses to enter Ukraine’s logistics infrastructure with a minimal threshold and under the protection of the sector’s strongest brand. From a risk/reward perspective, the model looks more attractive than most franchises on the market. The key risk is operational: scaling from 553 to 5,000 partners in a single year will require flawless performance from the digital platform and robust support from the company.