A rising worldwide need for visual communications and digital sign technology has positioned FASTSIGNS® for robust global expansion

Signs are an important part of everyday life, and visual communications make the world a more interesting and organised place

Without signs, graphics and other visual communications, people would struggle to navigate roads, find their way through airports, or understand what a business offers without stepping a foot in the door. Signs are an important part of everyday life, and visual communications make the world a more interesting and organised place.

For most businesses, effective visual communications are crucial for creating a brand experience, bringing a message to life and driving sales. With increased competition and a growing economy, companies are continuously seeking innovative leaders in the sign and visual graphics space to drive strategy and gain market share. Thousands of corporations worldwide rely upon FASTSIGNS to help with their visual communication needs.

FASTSIGNS International Inc. is driving industry growth, standards and progressive communication strategies. With sales reaching more than US$400 million globally, the company is the worldwide franchisor of more than 600 FASTSIGNS sign, graphic and visual communications centres in nine countries.

FORWARD-THINKING FASTSIGNS is more than just a banner and sign company. As a visual ideas business, FASTSIGNS provides comprehensive solutions for corporations of all sizes with a wide variety of offerings.

All independently owned and operated, FASTSIGNS centres help customers of all sizes, and across all industries, meet their business objectives and increase their business visibility through the use of signs, graphics, printing, promotional products and related marketing services. In order to provide the best results, each centre starts by understanding the client’s challenges, learning their objectives and gathering information on the visual communication needs. FASTSIGNS consultants provide comprehensive visual communications solutions, including brand strategies that combine new technologies with cutting-edge innovations. FASTSIGNS has an extensive, reputable global network of franchisees to assist with any visual communication needs that customers encounter.

FASTSIGNS provides digital signage solutions to solve client challenges. Digital signage complements static signage and offers a myriad of benefits. FASTSIGNS helps visually communicate messages on content for digital signs that can be updated frequently, in addition to being created for a variety of public spaces, such as transportation terminals, retail stores, restaurants, healthcare facilities, corporate offices, and more. With its increasing use across different industry verticals, various studies expect the global digital signage market to surpass US$20 billion by 2020 – a US$5 billion increase from 2015. The digital signage market is expected to have the highest growth rate in the UK, Germany, Japan and South Korea.

“At FASTSIGNS, we maintain a keen eye on industry developments that will help our franchisees deliver a more effective customer-focused communication strategy,” said Mark Jameson, EVP of franchise support and development at FASTSIGNS International Inc. “We continue to provide franchisees with guidance of communication open. This has been the foundation of our company’s system-wide success.”

FILLING A NEVER-ENDING GLOBAL DEMAND

Unlike several business-to-consumer franchise concepts, the need for FASTSIGNS’ business-to-business services has no cultural borders and is unaffected by ever-changing consumer trends. Contrastingly, businesses will always need visual communications to convey a message; being on the forefront of technology advancements allows FASTSIGNS centres to thrive. In fact, rising worldwide needs for visual communications and digital sign technology has positioned FASTSIGNS for robust franchise expansion domestically and in key international markets where the company is seeing a higher demand – such as the UK, Europe, Mexico, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, India and the Middle East.
“Every business needs help informing customers, directing visitors and selling more, so we’re seeing a strong demand for our products and services in both developed and developing countries,” explained CEO of FASTSIGNS International Inc. Catherine Monson. “By joining the FASTSIGNS family, prospective entrepreneurs are provided with our proven business model and the resources necessary to effectively fill this void.”

Outside of the United States and Canada, FASTSIGNS International Inc. operates centres throughout England, Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Australia (where centres operate as SIGNWAVE®). Throughout the next three to five years, the franchise plans to open upwards of 50 centres each year, entering 10 new international markets. Partnering with master franchisees and area developers is integral to the franchise’s expansion worldwide.

One of the newest master franchisees to join FASTSIGNS is Hamdi Osman, a supply chain and printing industry veteran and former senior vice president of FedEx Express Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa. Osman opened his first FASTSIGNS centre in Dubai in June 2015. Under his master franchise agreement, Osman will open 12 locations in the UAE and 25 centres in North Africa. In addition to owning and operating franchise locations, Osman has the rights to sub-franchise FASTSIGNS across the UAE and North Africa market as a part of the master franchise agreement.
“As we continue growing FASTSIGNS globally, partners like Hamdi are essential to our brand’s success,” Monson said. “Entrepreneurs with a solid business background, who are interested in diversifying their portfolios or beginning a career in franchising, excel in our franchise system.”

POSITIVE SATISFACTION, ONGOING SUPPORT

FASTSIGNS provides a wealth of information to help potential franchisees learn about overall franchisee satisfaction with marketing, training, technology and support programmes. FASTSIGNS is continuously recognised by industry publications for outstanding franchisee satisfaction. In March 2015, the franchise was named one of the inaugural inductees into (FBR) Hall of Fame for providing 10 consecutive years of outstanding franchisee support. FBR surveys existing FASTSIGNS franchisees each year with benchmark questions focused in various areas, such as training and support, leadership, operations, core values, etc. 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 fifth year in a row.

Of the many strategies the company utilises to ensure that its franchisees are satisfied and meeting their goals, FASTSIGNS provides ongoing training on the latest technologies, industry changes and best practices. As one of the leading brands in the visual communications industry, franchisees also benefit from cost savings through relationships with national vendors and suppliers, comprehensive marketing and visual communications solutions and the support that comes from networking with FASTSIGNS centres worldwide.

Franchisees opening a new FASTSIGNS centre are enrolled on a comprehensive four-week training programme, consisting of one week inside a FASTSIGNS centre, two weeks at the corporate training facility and one week on-site in the owner’s location. The franchise also assists with site selection, lease negotiation, space planning and the build-out process. The FASTSIGNS mentorship programme guides franchisees with peer-topeer support in every aspect of the business. As a FASTSIGNS owner, franchisees get the advantages of the power and training of a leading brand, plus the tools and support to help the business succeed.
FASTSIGNS franchisees also have a dedicated business consultant to assist with business operations and a marketing services manager to help with marketing planning and sales targeting for the new centre.

Denise Acquaye, franchisee in Newark, New Jersey said, “Being part of FASTSIGNS is like having 100 employees on my staff. Each and every one of them has responded to one thing or another from my end. We wouldn’t have achieved the success we have today without the support FASTSIGNS provides.”
It’s important to join a brand with a highly successful franchise model and strong brand awareness. FASTSIGNS is a top-rated franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs who are considering a business with strong ties to the business community. FASTSIGNS franchisees receive the blueprint for success and ongoing support and training to drive the new business venture forward.

Mark Jameson is EVP of franchise support and development at FASTSIGNS International Inc.

For more information, visit www.fastsigns.com or
contact Mark direct on +1 214 346 5679 or
via email at mark.jameson@fastsigns.com