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Updated RecentlyAlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future vs Sign Me Up Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future vs Sign Me Up including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $74,250 - $380,568 | $39,500 - And Up |
| Franchise Fee | $48,000 | $39,500 |
| Royalty Fee | 3% -7% | 5% |
| Advertising Fee | 2.5% | 2% |
| Year Founded | 1970 | - |
| Year Franchised | 1980 | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 20 years | 10 years +7 +7 |
| Term Of Agreement | 20 years | 10 years +7 +7 |
| Renewal Fee | - | $7,500 |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | - | |
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 | Classroom Training: 5 days Additional Training: At regional locations | At Sign Me Up, we teach you how to sell signs! Our sales & marketing system is second to none and when you leave our training you will be anxious to start marketing your Sign Me Up products and services right away. Our operational and sign production training will teach you how to operate your Sign Me Up franchise with confidence and you will learn to run your business professionally and efficiently and to manufacture and offer all types of signage and advertising services. In training, we will cover a variety of topics. Business Management, Computerized Sign Making, Inbound and Outbound Sales, Fabrications and Installation of signs, Employee Interviewing and Training are just a few of the topics that we will cover in a 4 week training period. |
| Support | Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operation Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform | - |
| Marketing | Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing | National Cooperative Marketing Funds benefit you as a Sign Me Up Franchisee in many ways but the most important thing a Franchisor can do with these funds is to communicate to the general public the benefits of utilizing the many advantages available at their nearest Sign Me Up location. Firstly, know that we are on a mission to build a nationally recognized brand. Our national marketing efforts will primarily be focused on building our brands “Top of Mind” awareness and communicating our unparalleled value and quality of Sign Me Up products and services. This will directly benefit our Franchisees and equate to more business for their locations. We are sensitive to return on investment (ROI) and look to spend National Cooperative Marketing Fund dollars wisely and effectively in ways that will benefit everyone in our Franchise system. |
| Operations |
5% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | Yes | - |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | Yes | - |
Company Overviews
About AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future
The first AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future location opened in Tucson, Arizona, in 1970. Franchising began nine years later, and by the company's 20th year in business, AlphaGraphics had shops throughout North America, Asia and Europe. AlphaGraphics locations offer customers a variety of printing, copying and publishing services including custom-made business forms, stationery, announcements and presentation folders. Shops also design Web sites.
The estimated total initial investment necessary to begin operation of a
new AlphaGraphics® Business Center franchise is $214,650 to $380,568,
excluding real estate costs. This includes $55,500 in initial fees that
must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
The estimated total
initial investment necessary to begin operation of an AlphaGraphics®
Business Center franchise under our Acquire and Convert Pathway is
$102,250 to $330,050, excluding real estate costs. This includes $55,500
in initial fees that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
The estimated total initial investment necessary to begin operation of
an AlphaGraphics® Business Center franchise under our Conversion Pathway
is $74,250 to $302,050, excluding real estate costs. This includes
$27,500 in initial fees that must be paid to the franchisor or an
affiliate. If you sign an Area Development Agreement, you will also pay a
development fee equal to $12,000 for each area listed in the Area
Development Agreement, which will be applied toward the applicable
initial fees listed above if and when you sign a Franchise Agreement for
that area.
Franchisor is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S. and in the following regions/states:
Europe (Eastern), South America, Europe (Western)
Veteran Incentives: $5,000 off franchise fee
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#226 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#232 in Franchise 500 for 2021.
About Sign Me Up
Bought up and all converted to FASTSIGNS
We have a model for everyone
Select your model from the choices below
LITE MODEL
The lite model was made to cater to the person who understands that the sign business is a very attractive business to get into, but doesn’t quite want to jump into a franchise with both feet just yet. This model allows the operator to worry about designing and selling the product without having to worry about how it’s made. Enjoy selling the same broad spectrum of products and services Sign Me Up has come to be known for without having the overhead, equipment, or inventory costs to make it. Focus on selling the job and outsourcing the product or service to us or one of our many approved vendors to do the job for you. Once you think you’re comfortable with running your business and want to make more profits for yourself, you can then expand into our retail franchise model, setting you up for even more success.
5 Keys to success with a lite model franchise:
- Offering the same products and services, you’ll enjoy limitless sales opportunities selling the same products and services that all our other models offer.
- Having a smaller space is more economical by reducing operating costs compared to conventional sign shop franchise models.
- Because we take care of production, your responsibilities don’t extend beyond designing and selling our product line.
- We give you the potential to open multiple sales units and take over a territory for the cost of a single retail center.
- This franchise model is designed for the creative marketer inside of you. This model allows you to focus on marketing your business without having the worry and hassle
5 Keys to success with a Conversion Model Franchise
- A recognized and respected brand.
- Proven local marketing programs with the intention of aiding in sales development.
- We train you on how you can be more efficient and how to better your process for you and your customers.
- Scaled royalty program based off of your existing sales.
- Bulk buying power with our approved vendors and suppliers with the idea of lowering your inventory costs.
5 Keys to success with a Retail Model Franchise:
- Cutting edge, inviting retail setting - Our stores are designed with the customer’s experience in mind. They are neat, organized and set up to allow you to best help your customers find what they are looking for.
- Higher profit margins - On day 1, you will be able to produce at least 70% of the products and services you sell inside your own store. Remove the costs of outsourcing all the signs you sell and start making higher profit margins.
- Aggressive sales and marketing training - We don’t just teach you how to make signs, we teach you the many ways you can easily seek out business for yourself.
- Vehicle included - In our estimated costs, we include the costs of an installation vehicle. Afterall, once you make a sign, you’re going to have to install it aren’t you?
- Broader spectrum of products - Sign Me Up offers our customers a wider array of products that aren’t just signs. Services such as: website packages, SEO and online marketing packages, photo shoots, graphic design packages are just some of the additional services you’ll be able to sell to your customers.
5 Keys to success with a Fabrication Model:
- Higher profit margins - Remove the costs of getting signs made by others. Produce signs yourself, increasing your profit margins. It’s your business, you should take control of your financial success.
- Better deals for you - When you agree to open up three franchises, you gain the advantage of negotiating better rates on construction, equipment, vehicles, supplies and inventory.
- Low costs on advertising - advertising your business is a significant expense to the growth of your business. Share that cost among your locations in your territory and lower your advertising cost per store.
- Control Your area - When you sign up for a multi-unit development agreement, you’ll eliminate the overlap with other franchises in your area. You will gain exclusive rights to a large territory which will be yours to rule.
- Make signs for others - Significantly increase your sales by allowing yourself the room to enter into wholesale work for other sign shops in your area. Your competition will come to you to get their signs made.