FASTSIGNS International, Inc.—the worldwide franchisor of more than 570 FASTSIGNS® sign, graphics and visual communications centers in nine countries – has received World-Class Franchise® certification from the Franchise Research Institute® for the fourth consecutive year.

The recognition comes after an independent franchisee validation survey was conducted by the Franchise Research Institute®, in which 63 percent of all FASTSIGNS franchisees participated. The survey was designed to determine the quality of 10 key metrics crucial to franchisee success within the FASTSIGNS franchise system.

“Ensuring franchisee satisfaction is a cornerstone in ensuring franchisee success. As the pillars of this company, the support of each individual franchisee is pivotal in the system’s success,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “To be recognized as a World-Class Franchise for the quality, support, training and open communication for our franchise system as well as the growth potential of our brand is an incredible honor. This reaffirms that our team implements the right practices and that our franchisees recognize and feel the impact of those efforts.”

The survey asked FASTSIGNS franchise owners to rate their franchisor through a series of questions in categories such as overall quality, growth potential, training, support and communication.

Among the responses received from FASTSIGNS franchisees:

• When asked about the overall quality of the franchisor, the response was 100 percent positive.
• When asked to rate the opportunity provided by the FASTSIGNS franchise system, 99 percent responded positively.
• Respondent ratings for opening support and ongoing training and support supplied by the franchisor were 95 percent positive.
• When asked about the quality of products and services received from the franchisor, responses were 98 percent positive.

“One of the most important means of creating and maintaining a truly successful franchise system is to meet or exceed the expectations of its franchisees,” says Jeff Johnson, Founder and CEO of the Franchise Research Institute. “A key step in this process is to obtain open, honest feedback from franchisees through confidential, third-party research. FASTSIGNS was not afraid to ask their franchise owners tough questions, and their high marks provide scientific documentation that they are consistently meeting franchisees’ needs.”

With more than 570 FASTSIGNS sign, graphics and visual communications centers in nine countries, FASTSIGNS is the nation’s leading signage and visual graphics franchise. The burgeoning franchise has a strong international presence and more than 400 open markets throughout North America as well as many Master and Area Developer opportunities worldwide.