Signs Now Franchise News

February 02, 2012 // Franchising.com // PLYMOUTH, Mich. - Signs Now, a division of Allegra Network LLC, recently selected the Electronic Document Scholarship Foundation (EDSF), an international, non-profit organization dedicated to the document management and communications industries, to administer five new scholarships totaling $10,000 for the 2012 academic year.
Bernard Haun, vice president of marketing & communications for Signs Now, said, “We are pleased to establish these scholarships, which we hope will encourage young people to pursue careers in graphic arts, document technology, marketing and communications. With the rising costs of college tuition, Signs Now is honored to be able to help keep the door to a college education open for deserving students...

June 03, 2011 // Franchising.com // PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Signs Now, a division of Allegra Network LLC, recently announced their top yearly franchise awards. Alan and Harriet Bleiweiss, owners of the Signs Now center in Hollywood, Fla., were recognized with the Best of the Best Award for the second straight year; Christopher and Ericka Freeman, owners of the Signs Now center in Carrollton, Tex., were recognized with the Rookie of the Year Award; and Robert and Laura Rule, owners of the Signs Now center in Boise, Idaho, received the Franchisee Advisory Board (FAB) Award. The winners will also be recognized at the 2011 Allegra Network Convention in Las Vegas, Aug. 7-10.

The Best of the Best Award is the company's top prize and is chosen based on a combination sales volume, sales growth and participation in corporate programs, including peer performance groups and operational studies...

October 12, 2010 // Franchising.com // SARASOTA, Fla. — Signs Now was among top award winners for "Best Recruitment Websites," earning second place at the STAR Awards during the 12th Annual Franchise Leadership & Development Conference held Sept. 23 in Atlanta. Signs Now is a member of Allegra Network LLC, one of the world's largest marketing, print, graphic communications and signs franchises in the world. The Signs Now site (www.signsnowfranchise.com) was launched in May.

The franchise network's Allegra Marketing· Print· Mail development site (www.allegrafranchise.com) was also recognized, earning third place.

All of the website entries were graded anonymously with a mystery shopping appraisal of approximately 150 competing sites...

August 31, 2010 // Franchising.com // LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Terry and Ruth Whalen, owners of Signs Now Las Vegas, recently announced the purchase of printing company Allegra Las Vegas. The merger earlier this month brings all services under one roof at the Signs Now Las Vegas facility.

"It's a win-win situation for customers of both businesses," said Terry Whalen. "Our enhanced capabilities will help us serve our diverse and growing client base. The combined resources allow us to offer new capabilities while increasing work flow efficiencies."

"Signs Now and Allegra are both members of the Allegra Network family and share the same philosophies when it comes to providing our customers with leading-edge technologies and superior service," said Whalen...

Opens New Signs Now Center and Offers "Green" Sign Making Technology August 26, 2010 // Franchising.com // WATERFORD, Mich. — In 2008, Michigan businessman Tom Kiihr became another casualty of the U.S. auto crisis and failing economy. Along with thousands of others, his engineering management position with Delphi was eliminated after the company declared bankruptcy. After some job searching and coming to the realization that he no longer wanted to get back into the corporate world, Kiihr decided to consider franchising. This month, he opened a brand new Signs Now center in Waterford, Mich. An open house and grand opening will be scheduled in the near future.

"Franchising seemed to offer the best of both worlds, the opportunity to be in business for myself, along with the support of a proven system and the people who know how to make it work," explained Kiihr...

July 14, 2010 // Franchising.com // SARASOTA, Fla. — Allegra Network LLC, one of the world's largest marketing, print and graphic communications franchises, recently announced that Steve White has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. White was previously Allegra Network Executive Vice President and Signs Now President. White will direct and manage field operations for Allegra Network's print and sign divisions and will continue to oversee development efforts for both divisions. White will be relocating from Florida to the new Allegra headquarters in Plymouth, Mich., this fall.

Carl Gerhardt, Allegra Network President and CEO commented, "We will be moving into our new corporate headquarters building this fall, marking a major turning point in our company's history...

June 15, 2010 // Franchising.com // SARASOTA, Fla. — Signs Now, a division of Allegra Network LLC, recently announced their top franchise awards for the past year. Alan and Harriet Bleiweiss, owners of Signs Now 424 in Hollywood, Fla., were recognized with the Best of the Best Award; Jeff and Deborah Parmentier and Darren and Destiny Stanz, owners of Signs Now 468 in Rapid City, South Dakota, were recognized with the Rookie of the Year Award; and Howard Stovall, owner of Signs Now 366 in Lexington, Ken., received the Franchisee Advisory Board Award.

The Best of the Best Award is the company's top prize and is chosen based on a combination sales volume, sales growth and participation in corporate programs, including performance groups and operational studies...

September 24, 2009 // Franchising.com // SARASOTA, Fla.--Allegra Network LLC, one of the world's largest print and graphic communications franchises, recently announced that Signs Now President Steve White, has been appointed as the company's Chief Development Officer. White will be responsible for managing franchise development efforts for Allegra Network's print and sign divisions. He will also continue in his roles as Signs Now President and Allegra Network Executive Vice President.

Carl Gerhardt, Allegra Network President & CEO commented, "We are very pleased with the progress of Signs Now development efforts under Steve's leadership and anticipate continued growth of both of our Allegra Print & Imaging and Signs Now brands through improved collaboration and integration with his expanded role...

February 19, 2009 // Franchising.com // Sarasota, Fla. — Signs Now, A Division of Allegra Network LLC, recently held elections for new seats for the company's Franchise Advisory Board (FAB), and has named Mike Carson and Peter Lewis as its two newest members. Both owners will serve on the FAB until 2012. The FAB is comprised of seven elected franchisee representatives and three appointed representative from Signs Now headquarters.

Mike Carson was elected to represent the company's Canadian regions. He owns a Signs Now franchise in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Peter Lewis owns a center in the Tampa, Fla. area and will represent the Southeast region.

"We are very excited to have both Mike and Peter elected to the Franchise Advisory Board," remarked Bernard Haun, Signs Now vice president of marketing and communications...

December 17, 2008 // Franchising.com // Sarasota, Fla. —Despite the news of the current economy, signage and graphics franchise company, Signs Now, a Division of Allegra Network LLC, is beating the odds and experiencing positive growth with the help of the MatchMaker™ program. The conversion program, originally developed Signs Now parent company Allegra Network, matches independent sign shop owners with prospective Signs Now franchisees.

"Our MatchMaker™ program has proven itself to be a very good strategic option for independent shop owners looking for a good exit strategy, individuals looking to get into a well-established franchise business, and lenders who are offered limited risks," explained Signs Now Director of Franchise Development Phil LeBlanc...

July 23, 2008 // Franchising.com // SARASOTA, Fla.— Signs Now, a Division of Allegra Network LLC, recently announced a new corporate partnership with Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS). EGS CEO William Edwards is working in conjunction with the Signs Now corporate team to bring the signage and graphics franchise company into international markets outside of North America.

"Our goal for Signs Now is to help them realize the full global potential of their franchise," explained Edwards. "This is the time for Signs Now to expand internationally. The most desired franchises around the world today are strong, well- operated service franchises, especially those with the B2B focus. Signs Now, as part of the Allegra Network group, is well positioned for global growth...

June 16, 2008 // Franchising.com // SARASOTA, Fla.— Corporate team members and top franchise owners from Signs Now, A Division of Allegra Network LLC, recently attended the annual Network Summit, held May 15 – 18 at the Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina, near Charleston.

The annual gathering serves as an opportunity for top performing franchise members to share the best business practices in the industry. Invitations are based on criteria franchise owners meet throughout the year, and typically include the top 10 percent in franchise owner sales figures.

This year, 35 Signs Now franchise owners representing 19 centers earned invitations to the Summit, with a total attendance of 150, including Allegra Network executives and franchise owners...

May 22, 2008 // Franchising.com // - SARASOTA, Fla — Signs Now executives and franchise owners recently convened at the 2008 Allegra Network Convention "Expand Your Horizons," held April 2-5 , 2008, at the Hilton Americas in Houston, Texas. The convention presented franchisees with the opportunity to network with industry peers and attend educational and training sessions to assist with the growth and development of their businesses.

The convention also included the yearly Graphics Expo on Friday, April 4 at the George R. Brown Convention Facility in Houston. This year's Expo included over 250 suppliers and gave attendees an opportunity to learn about emerging industry trends and technology developments.

This year's convention theme, Mission 2008: Expand Your Horizons, embodied the educational content and networking opportunities available to both Signs Now and Allegra franchisees through recreational and social outings, bonus sessions, work shops, roundtables, general sessions, panel discussions and various key note speakers daily...

January 14, 2008 // Franchising.com // - SARASOTA, Fla - Signs Now, A Division of Allegra Network LLC, recently held elections for new seats for the company's Franchise Advisory Board (FAB), and has named Kristin Trevino and Travis Masters as its two newest members. Both members will serve on the FAB until 2011. The FAB is comprised of seven elected franchisee representatives and three appointed representatives from Signs Now headquarters.

Kristin Trevino, owner of Signs Now Northwest, consisting of four Portland-area Signs Now centers, will represent the Northwest region. After nearly 10 years of involvement with the family run business, the Dan and Kristin Trevino acquired Signs Now Northwest in March of 2005. They recently sold their three Seattle area locations to focus continued growth on the Portland market...

January 10, 2008 // Franchising.com // SARASOTA, Fla. — Signs Now, A Division of Allegra Network LLC, recently held elections for new seats for the company's Franchise Advisory Board (FAB), and has named Kristin Trevino and Travis Masters as its two newest members. Both members will serve on the FAB until 2011. The FAB is comprised of seven elected franchisee representatives and three appointed representatives from Signs Now headquarters.

Kristin Trevino, owner of Signs Now Northwest, consisting of four Portland-area Signs Now centers, will represent the Northwest region. After nearly 10 years of involvement with the family run business, the Dan and Kristin Trevino acquired Signs Now Northwest in March of 2005. They recently sold their three Seattle area locations to focus continued growth on the Portland market...

December 20, 2007 // Franchising.com // - SARASOTA, Fla —According to the Center for Women's Business Research (CWBR), nearly 10.4 million firms are majority owned by women, employing more than 12.8 million people, and generating $1.9 trillion in sales. As one of the first sign franchise companies, Signs Now continues to recruit and assist successful women business owners, with some of the top ranking franchises in the system under women ownership.

After spending nearly 24 years in the sign business, one of the company's original founders, Donna Driscoll, is still passionate about Signs Now and looks beyond the past and into the future for women in the Signs Now family.

"In the last several years, our women owners have an even higher chance for success," remarks Driscoll...

OWNERS CELEBRATE GRAND RE-OPENING TWO YEARS AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA


October 15, 2007 // Franchising.com // NEW ORLEANS, LA. —Two years after the destruction of their New Orleans-based Signs Now center, local business people Norm and Michelle Gobert held a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 11 to celebrate the grand re-opening of their store, located at 1903 Poydras Street. The Signs Now building remained one of the last to be re-built on the busy and well-known Poydras Street, near the Louisiana Superdome.

Several local officials, Signs Now President Steve White along with several key executives, and special clients and guests were on hand to support the Goberts and celebrate the effort and dedication put into the re-opening on the New Orleans based Signs Now...

September 1, 2007 - PORTLAND, Ore—Signs Now Northwest, owned by locals Dan and Kristin D. Trevino, held a ground breaking ceremony on August 25 for their new production building located at 11521 NE Sandy Blvd. Signs Now President Steve White and several corporate team members were on hand for the ground breaking and catered dinner. In addition to the ground breaking, Signs Now Northwest will be handing out employee recognition awards for 2006.

The new building will be a big asset in the continued growth of the company in stream lining the manufacturing and production for the four Portland locations. The facility will house all key equipment, which includes an in-house screen printer, several large format digital printers, in-house router, specialized letter and engraving equipment and a new flatbed UV large format printer, which allows printing directly on substrates...

COMPANY HAS EXPANSION THROUGHOUT U.S.

SARASOTA, Fla. (July 30, 2007)—Through the end of July, Signs Now, A Division of Allegra Network LLC, has signed ten new franchise agreements, nearly outpacing the new store growth for the whole of 2006. Moving into 2007, the sign and graphics franchise company set a goal to develop 18 to 20 new centers throughout the country—Signs Now is over half-way complete in their yearly projection. The company is paced to gain nearly 30 new owners, with center re-sales included.

As of July 31, new owners have signed on to open franchise locations in California, Louisiana, Virginia, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri and Arizona. Following a recent trend in Signs Now owner backgrounds, these new franchisees have varied business backgrounds that are beneficial in the development and management of a successful Signs Now franchise, including store management, engineering, sales and marketing and information technology...

Bradenton, Fla. June, 2007 - The Signs Now location in Bradenton, Fla., shows how to sell your work through effective and appropriate samples, and make a splash in your area.

What better way to promote your new location, and your business in general, than graphically illustrating what you do best? The Signs Now location in Bradenton, Fla., decided that the best way to do so was with a re-vamp of its showroom, from the inside out.

The Signs Now store opened at a new location in April. Right off the bat, Signs Now designed, printed, and applied a giant set of brand-building images all along the outside of the new location.

The graphics effectively informed, and continue to inform everyone within eyeshot about the new location, and illustrate the capabilities of Signs Now...