FASTSIGNS Franchise News

FASTSIGNS® to Discuss Conversion Initiatives and Strategies
April 26, 2012 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – FASTSIGNS International Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers, will be exhibiting at the upcoming National Business Media (NBM) Show in Dallas, May 10 – 12, 2012.
The NBM Show is a business trade show designed to educate attendees on the latest in sign making, digital printing, apparel decorating, engraving, personalization, promotional products and more. Mark Jameson, FASTSIGNS Senior Vice President of Franchise Support & Development, will be hosting a booth at the show, No. 816, to speak with independent sign shop owners about the company’s franchise opportunity and conversion program...

FASTSIGNS® Starts 2012 with Multiple Deals for New Centers, Brand Conversions
April 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas  – FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers has started off 2012 with a strong first quarter of franchise growth, signing deals for new franchises, converting independent sign shops to the brand, and opening several new centers around the country.
On the heels of a five-unit franchise partnership in Puerto Rico, FASTSIGNS started off 2012 with eight signed deals, four of which were independently owned sign shops that converted to the FASTSIGNS brand. In addition, by June 2012, FASTSIGNS, which provides marketing and visual communications solutions to businesses, organizations and events of all types and sizes, will have opened 12 new centers since the beginning of the year...

Sign and Graphics Franchise to Co-Sponsor IFA’s Small Business Lending Summit
April 11, 2012 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – With the unemployment rate still hovering over eight percent and the country experiencing the lowest rate of new business creation in over 3 decades, lack of access to credit has remained a barrier to creating new businesses and jobs. As part of FASTSIGNS International’s ongoing initiative to find solutions to our nation’s lack of credit access for viable business start-ups, the company will be co-sponsoring the April 17, 2012 Small Business Lending Summit in Washington D.C. The Small Business Lending Summit is co-hosted by the International Franchise Association, the Consumer Banking Association, the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, and The Financial Services Roundtable...

CARROLLTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the visual communications/sign and graphics franchisor of the more than 535 FASTSIGNS® centers worldwide, has unveiled a new branding platform with updated messaging: “More than fast. More than signs.™”
“We have always known that we are more than fast and more than signs, and this new brand platform is a way of better communicating what FASTSIGNS offers. We have capabilities and service offers beyond what many realize.”
“We want people to know that while we are fast, more importantly, we provide a wide variety of products, services and comprehensive visual communications solutions to help companies meet their business objectives,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc...

Franchisor Hosting Booth, Luncheon to Discuss Franchise Conversion Initiatives and Opportunities
March 15, 2012 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – Top executives from FASTSIGNS International Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers, will attend the upcoming ISA International Sign Expo 2012 to present independent store conversion initiatives and opportunities for international franchise agreements.
In addition to exhibiting at booth No. 2720, Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS, along with Mark Jameson, Senior Vice President of Franchise Support & Development at FASTSIGNS, will host an invitation-only luncheon on March 23 to discuss the company’s independent store conversion strategies and answer any questions regarding the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity and incentives...

Episode of Hit CBS Reality Series, to Broadcast Friday, May 4, Chronicles the Personal and Professional Journey of an Inspiring Female Leader
CARROLLTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Since her appointment as CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. in early 2009, Catherine Monson has been on a mission to advance the brand, from that of a sign and banner provider, to a visual ideas company for all kinds of businesses. Her personal and professional journey will unfold on national television as she investigates the inner workings of FASTSIGNS in the CBS hit series "Undercover Boss," Friday, May 4 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
“Our franchise partners and their employees are trained to take a consultative approach to providing comprehensive visual solutions to meet their clients’ communication needs”
“Going undercover allowed me to step into the shoes of our employees and franchise partners to better learn the ins and outs of what makes our company successful, as well as where there is room for improvement...

Franchise Research Institute Honors Visual Communications Company as 2012 World-Class Franchise
February 29, 2012 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – FASTSIGNS International Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers, continues to prove that building positive relationships between franchisor and franchisee pays off. As a result of ongoing initiatives to maintain and further improve franchisee satisfaction, FASTSIGNS was among a select group of companies recognized as a 2012 World-Class Franchise by the Franchise Research Institute.
Whether it’s providing ongoing training for its franchisees to keep them up-to-date on the latest technologies, holding regional town hall meetings where they can learn about company initiatives, providing them with highly effective marketing and advertising tactics, or offering turn-key real estate and construction management services for new centers, FASTSIGNS franchisees continue to rate the company high in satisfaction ratings...

Sign & Graphics Franchise Partners with Established Entrepreneurs to Expand on Island
January 30, 2012 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – Calling it the “ultimate” franchise partnership match, FASTSIGNS International Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers, has announced a deal with a trio of prestigious business leaders in Puerto Rico to bring five locations to the island in the next five years.
Jose Corujo, Teresa Caballero and Juan Rivera – all business savvy entrepreneurs with impressive resumes offering extensive experience in marketing, accounting and operations -- plan to open Puerto Rico’s first FASTSIGNS center this spring in Guaynabo, just south of the capital city San Juan...

CARROLLTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FASTSIGNS International, Inc. begins the New Year with a brand extension test. “Brand Imaging Group, Powered by FASTSIGNS®” is a full-service visual identity creation, high capacity production and fulfillment brand extension currently being tested by the FASTSIGNS center in Antioch, Tenn., which is owned by Scott Snoyer.
“We chose the Antioch, Tenn. FASTSIGNS as the first test center because it is our highest sales volume location with the most extensive collection of production equipment and vast project management experience; this location exceeded $5 million in sales in 2011.”
FASTSIGNS International decided to test a brand extension to see if it could help high production capacity FASTSIGNS centers capture larger projects and larger customers, in different industry segments...

Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® Ranks Company the Frontrunner in Sign and Graphic Category
December 21, 2011 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas— Entrepreneur Magazine has ranked FASTSIGNS as the No. 1 franchise in the sign and graphic category. This is the second year in a row that FASTSIGNS has earned the top spot in its category in the magazine’s annual Franchise 500® rankings.
FASTSIGNS International Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers, ranked 107 overall, far surpassing all other players in its category. To determine the rankings for all 500 companies, the magazine uses an exclusive formula that takes into account objective and quantifiable factors, including financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system...

November 04, 2011 // Franchising.com // CARROLTON, Texas – Continuing to solidify its spot as the leader in the visual communications industry, FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the world’s premier business-to-business marketing solution franchise with more than 530 sign and graphic centers, announces the hire of Cassidy Turley to manage site selection, acquisition, and construction management for its new store growth throughout the United States.
The expansion of this long time relationship further strengthens a strategic partnership that FASTSIGNS and Cassidy Turley have shared for the last 15 years. Since 1997, FASTSIGNS National Accounts, a division of FASTSIGNS International, has partnered with Cassidy Turley to deliver full service sign and graphic solutions for Cassidy Turley and many of their clients...

Franchisor Hosting Booth, Luncheon to Share Successful Domestic & International Growth Strategies
October 10, 2011 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – Those interested in exploring potential franchise partnerships with FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the world’s premier business-to-business marketing solution franchise with more than 530 locations worldwide, will have ample opportunities to meet with the company’s top executives at the upcoming Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) Expo.
Seeing an ideal opportunity to meet potential new franchise partners, as well as to educate and network with sign and industry graphics professionals, FASTSIGNS will exhibit (Booth #2009) and host a luncheon at the 2011 SGIA Expo, to be held October 19-21 at the Ernest N...

September 30, 2011 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – FASTSIGNS National Accounts was recently recognized by H&R Block, a leading tax preparation company in the United States, claiming more than 22 million customers worldwide, for their outstanding services as a trusted sign and graphic vendor. FASTSIGNS National Accounts is a division of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. which is the world's premier business-to-business marketing solution franchise with more than 530 locations internationally. FASTSIGNS National Accounts manages and implements sign products, focusing on brand consistency for various multi-unit brands including Fortune 500 corporations such as American Family Insurance, Nationwide and Humana, among others.
With seven years serving as H&R Block's full service sign and graphic solution, FASTSIGNS has nurtured a strong relationship, thoroughly learning about their company, their industry and developing signs and graphics to their specific graphic requirements...

September 30, 2011 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – FASTSIGNS National Account was recently recognized by Cassidy Turley, a leading commercial real estate services provider with 3,200 professionals in 60 offices nationwide, for their outstanding services as a trusted sign and graphic vendor. FASTSIGNS National Account is a division of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. which is the world's premier business-to-business marketing solution franchise with more than 530 locations internationally. FASTSIGNS National Account manages and implements sign products, focusing on brand consistency for various multi-unit brands including Fortune 500 corporations such as American Family Insurance, Nationwide and Humana, among others.
With 15 years serving as Cassidy Turley's full service sign and graphic solution, FASTSIGNS has nurtured a strong relationship, thoroughly learning about their company, their industry and developing signs and graphics to their specific graphic requirements...

September 22, 2011 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – On the heels of opening its first center in Long Island, FASTSIGNS, the world's premier business-to-business marketing solution franchise with more than 530 locations, is looking to expand its local presence and open as many as eight locations in the area.
In conjunction with its official arrival to the marketplace, FASTSIGNS CEO Catherine Monson will be hosting a seminar for local entrepreneurs in Westbury, NY on September 27, 2011 to discuss the company's key development plans and available franchise opportunities in Long Island, Westchester County and New York's five boroughs. Lunch will be included and reservations are required. Monson will also discuss FASTSIGNS' footprint in the sign industry, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit and professionalism necessary for success in the region...

August 10, 2011 // Franchising.com // (CARROLLTON, Texas) — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the worldwide franchisor for FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers, has announced that the marketing solutions provider will return to national cable television on Aug. 15 with the airing of its "It's Simple" commercial spot.

"It has been two years since our last commercial aired and we are very excited about our return to television," said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. "Cable television is visual and targeted, and it gives us a great opportunity to show how we help companies achieve their business objectives – whether that is to get noticed, sell more products or help people navigate their campuses or facilities – using our products and services...

International Visual Communications Franchise Continues Rapid National Expansion; Joins with Business Veterans to Build Local Market July 25, 2011 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – While new business development has stalled for many, local FASTSIGNS® is continuing to defy recession conservatism and sign new store deals at a rapid pace.

Having already signed 12 new deals since the beginning of the year – including five in the last two months – FASTSIGNS expects to secure a total of 35 new deals by the end of 2011.

The most recent deals call for new stores in Ogden, Utah; Lewiston, Idaho; Baltimore, Md.; Syracuse, N.Y. and Pasadena, Texas. The new franchise locations will be the first of their kind in each of the markets, except Baltimore where two stores already exists...

June 23, 2011 // Franchising.com // (CARROLLTON, Texas) -- FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the worldwide franchisor for FASTSIGNS® sign and graphic centers, has teamed up with NFuse Marketing to sponsor the 2011 season of The Bite Tour.

A traveling interactive consumer experience, The Bite Tour food festivals occur around the nation during the summer of 2011, including events like Ribfest in Chicago, Taste of Dallas and the Wisconsin State Fair. At each of the festivals, The Bite Tour has interactive experience tents where visitors can spin prize wheels, compete in the Man V. Food hot wing challenge and take part in interactive gaming experiences.

"This is The Bite Tour's first official season, making this sponsorship much more exciting for us," said Drue Townsend, Senior Vice President of Marketing...

International Sign & Graphics Franchise Takes Proactive Steps to Drive Bottom Line; Provides More Pre-Opening Marketing and Operational Support on Top of Reduced Initial Royalties June 20, 2011 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – Coming off a strong 2010 by increasing average unit volumes by $50,000 and opening 20 new centers, along with more than 30 new centers slated to open in 2011, FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the world's premier business-to-business marketing solution franchise with more than 530 locations worldwide, announced today that it has rolled out a series of programs and incentives designed to help new centers hit the ground running.

Complete with robust pre-opening support across training, operations and marketing, new center owners can also take advantage of reduced royalties during their first year of operation...

International Sign & Graphics Franchise CEO Catherine Monson Participates in Small Business Panel at the 79th Annual United States Conference of Mayors June 20, 2011 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – Continuing to stand as an advocate for franchising and small business growth, Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the world's premier business-to-business marketing solution franchise with more than 530 locations in seven countries, is joining mayors from across the country at the 79th Annual United States Conference of Mayors in Baltimore to discuss how the franchise industry can be a catalyst for job creation as the nation recovers from the recession.

Focusing on best practices in job creation and economic recovery through franchise and small business growth, Monson will represent the International Franchise Association (IFA) during a plenary session titled, "Mayors & Small Business/Franchise Owners – Building a New Strategy to Retain and Create Jobs in America...