FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is having a banner year on all fronts. In the past six months alone, the worldwide franchisor for more than 590 FASTSIGNS® sign, graphics and visual communications centers has reached global revenues of $400 million – an all-time high for the company, along with inking 24 new franchise agreements and opening its first location in Dubai. The company expects to sign an additional 33 franchise agreements by year’s end and is finalizing master franchise agreements in two new countries.
FASTSIGNS executives attribute the robust mid-year revenue achievement in large part to the company’s expanded products and services—which aligns with its “More Than” brand positioning—as well as the formation of an outside sales force that has now grown to more than 360 sales professionals. The sales team succeeds by offering businesses specialized, forward-thinking services provided by FASTSIGNS such as digital signage, imaged glass, window shades, exhibits and displays, mobile marketing and digital printing.
“FASTSIGNS is having another record year,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “Our success is driven from having the best franchisees in the industry, who are embracing our expanded ‘More Than’ brand positioning and are focused on helping their clients attract more customers, sell more to existing customers and achieve more than they ever thought possible. We continue to develop progressive strategies, combining new technologies and cutting edge services to help our franchisees provide the most effective visual communication strategies to their customers. We are also having a record year in franchise sales by adding locations through our Co-Brand and Conversion programs as well as New Center development.”
Another top growth driver is the FASTSIGNS Co-Brand program, which accounts for 10 of the 24 franchise agreements signed so far this year. The program allows independent business operators with print-related services, such as printing or photofinishing, to add the FASTSIGNS brand and full-suite of solutions, while retaining control of their existing business. Co-Brand franchisees consistently report that the program has added value for customers, promoting long-term growth opportunities for their businesses.
New center development also remains strong for the franchise. For Oxnard, Calif. franchisee Jill Bonilla, opening a center through FASTSIGNS was a more viable route than pursuing entrepreneurship independently. Bonilla joined the FASTSIGNS family as a published author with seven years of experience writing for various sign industry trade publications. Given her extensive industry knowledge and networking, the decision to invest in FASTSIGNS was clear. She said, “The more I learned about FASTSIGNS, the more I liked them. Whenever I met existing franchisees at a tradeshow, they always raved about their amazing support system.”
FASTSIGNS is continuously recognized for its positive franchisee satisfaction. In March 2015, the franchise was named one of the inaugural inductees into the Franchise Business Review Hall of Fame for providing 10 consecutive years of outstanding franchisee support. The Franchise Research Institute® also named FASTSIGNS as the No. 1 Rated Sign & Graphics Franchise® for the past two years, in addition to certifying FASTSIGNS as a World-Class Franchise® for the fourth year in a row in a row.
