SMARTBOX, a provider of portable storage for commercial and residential use, is expanding its franchise to the Minneapolis/St. Paul market.

"Just a couple years ago, our roots were in Virginia and North Carolina," said Dusty Rhodes, director of business development. "We've quickly expanded across the Southeast through Texas, and now to the Midwest. Soon, homeowners and business owners in the Twin Cities will see that our portable and easy-to-use storage solutions bring a new level of convenience to the self-storage or moving process."

SMARTBOX containers are 8 feet long, 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide. They can hold the contents of up to one and a half rooms and are delivered directly to customers doors. Users pack and load the boxes at their convenience. When theyre done, they call the company to pick up the boxes and deliver them to one of its warehouses or another location.

Based in Richmond, Va., SMARTBOX was founded in 2004. The company was recently named part of the Franchise 50 by the Franchise Business Review. It has franchises in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit www.smartboxusa.com.