FASTSIGNS International, Inc. has just concluded a year marked with high points and milestones. During 2015, the brand signed more than 50 franchise agreements, opened more than 40 locations, and reached an all-time global revenue high of $400 million.
Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS, spoke about what is to come in 2016. FASTSIGNS’ franchise expansion is expected to continue domestically and in some international markets. According to Monson, the franchise business is seeing a high demand in the global franchise sales arena because of the growing need for digital signage and visual communications technology.
FASTSIGNS opened its first location in Dubai in June of 2015. Monson said the brand is looking for growth opportunities in Southeast Asia, South and Central America, Europe, Mexico, the UK, India and the Middle East. The company is planning to open 60 to 70 new centers over 2016 and is closing master franchise agreements in two new countries.
With FASTSIGNS dedicating $21 million in funding for franchisees, expansion continued at a rapid rate through the development of new centers and the brand’s Conversion and Co-Brand programs.
Started in 2012, the Co-Brand program allows independent business owners in the print industry to add FASTSIGNS services and the brand to their company without any loss of control. Co-Brand partners can join FASTSIGNS for just a down payment of $10,000, eliminating the time, money and resources that would go into an entirely new franchise center while allowing them to enhance their current business and service offerings. For 2015, the Co-Brand program made up 20 percent of the franchise agreements signed.
Richard Helmey, who owns a truecolor GRAPHICS and a FASTSIGNS Co-Brand franchise, said he entered the wide-format market looking for franchise opportunities that would help achieve his goal of big growth for his local print business. Once he became a Co-Brand franchisee, the business took off. The combination, Helmey says, meshed together well, gave him the ability to provide a full range of services, and boosted the sophistication of his business. His wide-format sales now account for 20 percent of his total revenue and are projected to double over the next two years.
Other initiatives that contributed to FASTSIGNS’ rapid growth in 2015 are the use of its "More Than" brand positioning and the expansion of products and services. The visual communications leader also formed an outside sales force that has now grown to more than 400 seasoned sales professionals.
FASTSIGNS Now Offering Franchise Opportunities in Several Markets
FASTSIGNS is looking for franchisees in more than 400 major markets in the US, Canada, and overseas. Available areas include New York, Texas, Colorado, Florida, Ontario and Quebec.
To be a qualified FASTSIGNS franchisee, you need a good credit rating and net worth of at least $250,000 with $80,000 of it liquid. The average franchise fee in North America is $44,500, with the total investment averaging $160,503. FASTSIGNS also has several financing partners and programs to help you achieve your dream, so consider a FASTSIGNS franchise today.
