Business Cards Tomorrow vs Sign Me Up Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Business Cards Tomorrow vs Sign Me Up including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$161,800 - $539,500 | $39,500 - And Up |
Franchise Fee |
$35,000 | $39,500 |
Royalty Fee |
6% | 5% |
Advertising Fee |
- | 2% |
Year Founded |
1975 | - |
Year Franchised |
1977 | - |
Term Of Agreement |
25 years | 10 years +7 +7 |
Term Of Agreement |
25 years | 10 years +7 +7 |
Renewal Fee |
- | $7,500 |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
- | - |
Financing Options |
|
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 |
Training |
- | 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 |
Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | - |
Marketing |
Co-op advertising | 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 |
2% 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 |
US Expansion |
Yes | - |
Canada Expansion |
No | - |
International Expansion |
Yes | - |
Company Overviews
About Business Cards Tomorrow
Hank Johnson founded Business Cards Tomorrow Inc. in 1975 to provide 24-hour printing and delivery of thermographed business cards. Today franchises provide wholesale printing products and services to print shops and brokers, warehouse office supply companies, and postal centers. Their products include business cards, letterhead, envelopes, custom stamps, labels, announcements and specialty products.
Headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the company operates franchises throughout the United States and Canada.
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
Conversion Model
Already own a sign or printing
business? Converting to a Sign Me Up franchise is much easier and more
cost effective than you’d ever imagine. We offer conversions, lower
franchise fees, and scaled royalties, because you already have a client
base and most of the required equipment. Once you convert, you’ll be
able to take advantage of our world class sales training, industry
expertise and support and a cutting edge image and brand awareness. Lets
not forget the night and day transformation of the exterior and
interior of your existing store, drawing new customers and inspiring old
ones like you never thought possible! Combine our expertise and your
experience and you’ve got something truly special.
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.
Retail Model
The Sign Me Up retail model is our
most popular model. It allows you to present yourself with the best
retail storefront in the industry all while allowing you to take
advantage of the profits that this industry has come to be known for by
designing and producing the signs inside of your own store. Yep, that’s
right! Unlike the lite model, this model allows you to have the supplies
with all the necessary equipment, inventory, and infrastructure needed
to start making signs yourself and take advantage of maximizing your
profits.
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.
Fabrication Model
Sign Me Up also offers a fabrication
model, thus giving you limitless opportunities to realize your full
potential! You can open your own fabrication facility in conjunction
with your own Sign Me Up franchise locations, supplying your own large
fabricated signs, drastically reducing costs as much as possible and
giving you the benefit of manufacturing these large format signs for
other local sign and printing companies that lack production capability.
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.
Whether you’re looking to buy a
business and get started with financial security and freedom or you’re
looking to convert your business into the best franchise with Sign Me
Up, we can help you get started by providing you with all of the tools
for success. If you’re interested in joining one of the best franchises
in New York, then don’t hesitate to give us a call today!