US-based 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.
“The ranking is a true testament to the tremendous work and success of both our franchisees and our corporate team,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS. “Every day, our franchisees help businesses and organisations visually communicate their products, services and philosophies to their clients and employees through a countless array of graphics, visuals and messaging in multiple formats. Being ranked No. 1 in our category is a significant honour.”
As the worldwide franchisor and leader in the visual communications industry, FASTSIGNS sign and graphic centres provide marketing and visual communications solutions to any businesses, large and small, across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, education and construction. The FASTSIGNS product line includes signs and graphics – including banners, flags, building signs, digital and electric signs, yard signs, vehicle graphics, labels, trade show exhibits and displays, point-of-purchase signs, and posters – as well as mobile websites, promotional products, printing and other marketing services.
With more than 530 FASTSIGNS sign and graphic centres located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean and Australia, the company opened 20 new locations in 2011 and is expected to finish the year with 27 new franchise agreements signed. Plans for 2012 include 26 new centre openings, and FASTSIGNS will finish 2011 with signed deals in untapped markets such as Eatontown and Newark, NJ, Syracuse, NY, Bradenton, FL, Lewistown, ID and Ogden, UT among others. The company will also open its first location in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in Spring 2012.
Adding to the system wide growth is a conversion strategy, in which existing independent sign shop operators partner with FASTSIGNS to reach their full potential and long-term goals through franchising with the brand. In fact, FASTSIGNS has successfully converted several independent sign shops throughout the country to the franchise, including recently signed deals in Kankakee, Ill., Salem, NH, and Springfield, OH, along with its first Caribbean conversion franchise in George Town, Grand Cayman.