Franchise and Business Opportunities Articles

CARROLTON, Texas- FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers, has been named one of the top 500 franchises in the United States, ranking #85 in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500®.

The rankings for all 500 companies are determined using an exclusive formula that takes into account objective and quantifiable factors. The most important factors include financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system. The franchises that grew the most were the ones who serve a budget-minded consumer, didn't cost as much to set up, or both.

"The Entrepreneur rankings are both humbling and gratifying," said Mark Jameson, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development for FASTSIGNS. "It is an honor and milestone to be recognized by such a prestigious publication and the long-standing recognition speaks volumes about our business and services that we continue to provide franchisees and consumers."

FASTSIGNS franchised sign centers use state-of-the-art computer technology to create custom signs and graphics for businesses and organizations of all sizes. FASTSIGNS product line includes banners, flags, building signs, digital and electric signs, yard signs, vehicle graphics, labels, trade show exhibits and displays, point-of-purchase signs, posters, and promotional products. The company's franchisees use computer-aided sign-making systems and techniques to design and create their products. They also offer services including personalized design consultation and project management; custom sign design; sign installation; and digital printing. FASTSIGNS has locations in the United States and Canada, as well as the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil and Australia (under the SIGNWAVE®. name).

FASTSIGNS begins 2010 with an aggressive franchise development campaign currently focusing on its conversion program. Officially announced in 2009, this program focuses on recruiting existing independent sign shops who want to expand and grow their business by becoming a FASTSIGNS sign and graphic center. Under the FASTSIGNS umbrella, the converted shops have full access to the brand name, training, marketing, management, technical support and operations resources.

"The sign and graphics industry is well-positioned to withstand changes, even within the challenging economic landscape that we are currently in," said Jameson. "With these challenges come unique opportunities that individuals who wish to reach their full potential can take advantage of with FASTSIGNS."

FASTSIGNS was ranked in the Franchise 500® rank: #85 (2010); #108 (2009); #138 (2008); #100 (2007); #106 (2006). 2009 marked the fourth consecutive year that FASTSIGNS International, Inc. has earned Franchise Business Review's "Best-in-Category Award" for the business services industry, as well as placed in the top five franchises on The Franchise 50™ list of the top 50 franchise companies with 200 or more units. In 2009, FASTSIGNS was also awarded the #12 spot on the National Minority Franchising Initiative's (NMFI) annual list of the Top 25 Franchises for Hispanics.

About FASTSIGNS International, Inc.

FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers use innovation and technology to make effective, impactful signs and graphics, and to make the sign buying process fast and simple. Centers provide consulting, file transfer, design, production, delivery and installation for a full range of custom sign and graphic solutions. FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the worldwide franchisor for the more than 540 FASTSIGNS centers located in the US, Canada, the UK, Brazil, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate under the name SIGNWAVE®).