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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of FASTSIGNS vs SignWorld including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $218,596 - $298,679 | $185,000 - And Up |
Franchise Fee | $49,750 | N/A |
Royalty Fee | 6% | 0 |
Advertising Fee | 2% | 0 |
Year Founded | 1985 | - |
Year Franchised | 1986 | - |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
Renewal Fee | - | 0 |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | You won�t need any graphics arts education or prior experience with signs. Our owners come from all walks of life, from bankers to secretaries to construction workers. No matter what their background, they all share a strong work ethic; a desire to build a business with no limitations and the realization that working for themselves is their ultimate destiny. They apply their people skills to help their customers with solutions they need to promote their business. | |
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/Yes | -/- |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | -/- |
Equipment | No/Yes | -/- |
Inventory | No/Yes | -/- |
Receivables | No/Yes | -/- |
Payroll | No/Yes | -/- |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | Technical Training � 5 days on sign-making hardware and software Operations Training � 3 days on sales/marketing, website/internet presence, human resources, finance, legal, products, materials, suppliers and overall daily operations Supplier Training � 1 day visiting 7 suppliers Pricing, accounting and POS Training � 5 days On-The-Job Training � 5 days at other Signworld locations On-site Training � 3 days |
Support | As a FASTSIGNS franchisee, you will have our direct and active support from the very beginning including: *Site Selection and Build-Out *Pre-Opening Marketing Blitz to drive traffic *Grand Opening Support and Guidance from an outside sales manager and brand ambassador *Dedicated Business Consultants to assist with business/finances training, marketing and sales, production and staff management *Franchisee Mentor Program to guide you and lend support in every aspect of your business *24-Hour Web-Based Learning Management System that keeps you and your staff up-to-speed and in-the-know in this fast-paced market *Personalized Operational Support such as advanced pricing and cost analysis tools and dedicated business consultants *Business & Financial Management, Product Testing & Ratings, Vendor & Equipment Evaluations and Advanced Technological Expertise *A FASTSIGNS Network featuring an annual convention and vendor show, Franchise Partner message boards, Franchise Advisory Committee and online access to support Training, Technical, Marketing and HR Tools | SUPPLY DISCOUNTS � Signworld Owners receive discounts on supplies, saving thousands of dollars per year. ONLINE TECHINCAL SUPPORT � We can connect to your computer, fix problems and download solutions. NEXT DAY ON-SITE SERVICE � For any equipment issues that cannot be serviced over the phone or through online technical support. OWNERS WEB SITE � Blast a question to our 260+ Owners and receive same day responses from many Owners across the country. Other features include: Owners Roster, Suppliers Roster, technical updates and calendar of ongoing webinar trainings and other events. ANNUAL CONVENTION � A 3 day event with 30 seminars on how to improve your operation and earn more money. |
Marketing | Professional broadcast and print advertising materials. * Customized online presence. * Powerful web marketing. * Sales training programs. * Dedicated Marketing Services Manager | As a new Signworld Owner, you will be on a team with 12 other Owners who meet on camera in a weekly webinar to share proven techniques other Signworld Owners have used to grow their business. Sales success and lasting change only comes about with ongoing reinforcement. This weekly coaching session is a dynamic, ongoing learning experience that becomes a vital part of your professional life. It is a safe place to share your toughest problems and work with your coach and your team of other Signworld Owners to find solutions and fix them. Half of your business can come from your website/internet presence. Marketing your business through the internet is a major element of Signworld's business model. In addition to traditional outbound marketing and networking training, we will teach you the right way to build a website full of remarkable content, and also teach you how to utilize an inbound marketing plan that will maximize your reach on the internet which will keep your customers coming back to learn more about what you can do to help them with their signage needs. |
Operations |
15% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 8
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | - |
International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
More than fast. More than signs.
The brainchild of Gary Salomon and his partner, the late Bob Schanbaum, FASTSIGNS came to realization in 1985 when the duo experimented with the concept of quick turnaround signs and graphics. Ultimately - and, of course, unbeknownst to Bob and Gary at the time - FASTSIGNS would go on to revolutionize the signage industry and helped create an entirely new niche.
By late 1987, the Dallas Metroplex area played host to three company-owned FASTSIGNS centers, and by that time, Gary was committed to growing the brand through franchising. Today, FASTSIGNS is a recognized leader in the sign industry with over 675 franchised units in eight countries - the United States & Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Grand Cayman and Australia (operating under the SIGNWAVE brand).
At its core, FASTSIGNS is a company of collaborators, strategists, graphics experts and problem solvers all focused on one thing: raising the visibility of businesses across the country and around the world. By design, this is a goal largely left open to interpretation. There are virtually endless ways to raise visibility for a company, limited only by imagination. This fact alone makes FASTSIGNS a unique franchise opportunity best suited for driven, creative individuals.
98% of all signs are indoors. They are paper posters, cardboard, banners and thin plastic like materials. Most signs are thrown away every month. In December, they say "Happy Holidays". In January, they say "Clearance". In February, they say "Valentine's Day", and on and on. Drive down any street, walk into any business, notice vehicles of all sizes wrapped in pictures and graphics or visit a trade show and the opportunity for building a business in the sign industry will become very clear. Today, more than ever, small businesses to large are seeking ways to increase their visibility and make an impact through the use of signs. Signs are custom production, so every day is different and you will see tangible, visible results of your efforts as you drive around town. It's close to home, in a low-overhead business park location, operating Monday-Friday 9-5 no nights, weekends or holidays, with a small staff of career employees. There are no loud noises, odors, or dangerous chemicals. It's a relationship business with repeat customers. Twenty to thirty of those customers can equal 80% of your revenue. Many of those customers may be regional and even national in scope. It's a non-cash transaction business, so when you are out seeing customers, you don't have to worry about who's holding the money. When you are ready to sell your business, it will sell for more than most business models because of the manufacturing sector you are in, the small core of repeat customers and the profit margins obtainable due to the custom nature of the business. Our business model is for you to work with ongoing large customers with a repetitive need. Here's what separates Signworld from other sign organizations: *No Royalties *No Rules *50% or more of your business can come from your website. Our owners are able to effectively market their business on the internet and take advantage of their individual brand identity. *Weekly sales and marketing coaching webinar with your peers *Ongoing support for as long as you are in business from both corporate staff plus our 260+ Owners *Ability to own your own building *25 years in business Achieve your financial goals with SignWorld