Monthly Archives: August 2019

CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the world’s leading sign and visual graphics franchisor with more than 700 FASTSIGNS^Ⓡ locations in nine countries worldwide, hosted its ninth annual Outside Sales Summit August 8-10 in St. Louis, Missouri. There were over 315 people from five countries in attendance.

Themed Ready Set Grow, the 2019 Outside Sales Summit celebrated the FASTSIGNS network’s sales achievements between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. At the formal awards presentation, a record 161 Outside Sales Professionals were recognized, including 12 who received the prestigious Platinum Award for achieving over $1 million in individual sales during the 12-month period. Additionally, 27 individuals became Certified FASTSIGNS Sales Executives after completing an extensive certification program during the same period. 2019 marked the first year for presenting the Catherine Monson Salesperson of the Year Award, which recognized one Outside Sales Professional who best represents the concept and the spirit of the brand, both in the business community and within the FASTSIGNS network. Mark Van Ermen from FASTSIGNS of Milwaukee, WI – Glendale was recognized as the inaugural recipient of the Catherine Monson Salesperson of the Year Award.

“Our annual Outside Sales Summit gives us a platform to recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication that FASTSIGNS Outside Sales Professionals from locations around the world demonstrate every day, as well as provide them with education and tools to continue honing their craft,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “This high-powered event with inspiring presentations, professional training classes, peer networking events and an amazing Vendor Show helps attendees further develop the skills and confidence they need to provide comprehensive visual communications solutions to organizations using the latest products and services the sign and graphics industry has to offer.”

Inspiring speakers included John Boyens, sales strategist and Co-Founder/President of Boyens Group; Jeb Blount, prospecting guru and President and Founder of Sales Gravy, Inc.; Gary Michels,  Co-Founder of Southwest Consulting; and Molly Bloom, entrepreneur and bestselling author of Molly’s Game.

109 vendors participated at this year’s Outside Sales Summit Vendor Show, including 26 first-time exhibitors. Event sponsors included Click2Sell, Grimco, EPSON America, Inc., Soardist, FELLERS, Image Manufacturing Group, 4over, Avery Dennison, Canon Solutions America, GSG, INX International Ink Co., Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Orbus Exhibit & Display Group, Sign Fab, Inc. and Wayfindit.

Independent Survey Shows Female Franchise Owners Are Highly Satisfied with FASTSIGNS’ Performance

CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS^®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today that it has been named a top franchise for women by Franchise Business Review in its 2019 Top Franchises for Women Report.

“This recognition from Franchise Business Review is a testament to FASTSIGNS’ commitment of equipping our franchisees with all of the necessary training, tools and resources needed to succeed,” said Catherine Monson, President and CEO, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “Female franchisees across the franchising industry continue to shape the future of business and we are proud to support those female franchisees in our system, as they have proven to be a true asset to our brand while providing sign, graphics and visual communications services to their local communities.”

FASTSIGNS was among more than 265 franchise brands that participated in Franchise Business Review‘s research on the Top Franchises for Women. FASTSIGNS’ franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including leadership, training and support, financial opportunity, and work/life balance.

“We surveyed nearly 9,000 women franchise owners across the franchising sector, and FASTSIGNS was among the very best,” said Eric Stites, CEO and Managing Director of Franchise Business Review. “In our 15 years of research, FASTSIGNS has consistently been among the top companies in franchising, scoring 20% to 35% above industry benchmarks in most areas. FASTSIGNS CEO Catherine Monson has done a tremendous job of developing relationships built on trust, and that is clearly reflected in the feedback we received from their franchise owners — with 92% saying that they respect FASTSIGNS’ leadership.”

Shawn Glenn and her husband, Mark, took ownership of FASTSIGNS® of Carrollton, Texas, in 2011. In their first three years, the Carrollton center’s sales volume tripled. Today, Shawn and Mark own three additional FASTSIGNS centers in the Dallas area.

“Becoming a FASTSIGNS franchisee has allowed me the opportunity to own my own business, enjoy financial profitability, and maintain the flexibility I need to raise our family,” said Shawn. “FASTSIGNS provides the operational resources I need as an owner, as well as opportunities for team training and marketing support on an ongoing basis. These unmatched components, along with the diligent work of our team, has made owning FASTSIGNS centers the perfect investment.”

FASTSIGNS is known in the industry for equipping its franchisees with tools vital to securing the ongoing success of each individual location. In 2018, FASTSIGNS announced the launch of a special incentive for first responders, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, sheriffs, and firefighters, which includes a 50 percent reduction on the franchise fee — a savings of $24,875.

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. was ranked the #1 franchise opportunity in its category and 95 overall on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2019 Franchise 500^®, the world’s first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Acknowledged by entrepreneurs and franchisors as a top competitive tool of measurement, the Franchise 500^® recognizes FASTSIGNS, the only sign, graphics, and visual communications franchise to be recognized in the top 100, for its exceptional performance in areas including financial strength and stability, growth rate, and brand power. FASTSIGNS was recently named to the 2019 America’s Best Franchises to Buy list by Forbes magazine. FASTSIGNS also made Franchise Direct‘s list of the Top 100 Franchises 2019 and ranked #2 on this year’s Franchise Gator Top 100 list, both ranking the best franchises for 2019. FASTSIGNS has also been ranked by Franchise Business Review as one of the “Best of the Best” for franchisee satisfaction for the last 10 years. Additionally, FASTSIGNS was also named to Franchise Business Review’s “Innovative Franchises” list in 2017 and a “Best-in-Category” franchise by Franchise Business Review in 2018. In 2019, the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) awarded FASTSIGNS International, Inc. the Franchisees’ Choice Designation for the seventh consecutive year for its strong relationship with Canadian franchisees, as well as extensive franchisee training and support.

Candy and Graydon Grush Open New Business with Support of Franchising Industry Veteran

CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc. recently announced the opening of a new center location under the support of franchising industry veteran Greg Carafello of Executive Franchise Group, LLC. Carafello is working to utilize his New York business relationships to bring this region’s centers through the process from opening to actively thriving business.

As part of his Area Representative Agreement with FASTSIGNS®, Carafello agreed to develop new FASTSIGNS locations in all of the city’s five boroughs, as well as oversee franchise development and provide operational support for the market throughout its ongoing growth. FASTSIGNS currently has two existing locations in Manhattan and Staten Island, with plans to develop more than 20 additional centers in the coming years. With this plan in place, FASTSIGNS has the opportunity to penetrate the business market and increase the market share.

FASTSIGNS of South Ozone Park in Queens is the first of its kind to open under the direction of Carafello. Franchisees, Candy and Graydon Grush have converted their current sign business to a FASTSIGNS center, and as a conversion, the center is well on its way to success with a ready-to-utilize book of business.

“After joining one of the most respected names in franchising and number one in the signage segment, I have begun to drive FASTSIGNS’ expansion throughout New York City,” said Carafello. “I know that Candy and Graydon Grush, franchisees with FASTSIGNS of South Ozone Park, are the right candidates for the brand, and I look forward to positioning them for success and supporting them for many years to come.”

Expansion in the NYC metro area includes additional locations that are planned, already sold and under development such as White Plains, NY, New York City and the West Hempstead area of Long Island.

“We are extremely excited to have this Queens location as a first step in Greg spearheading FASTSIGNS’ growth efforts in the New York City area,” said Mark Jameson, EVP of Franchise Support and Development, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “We are confident that with nearly four decades of experience in the franchise and sign and graphics industries in the local market, this is a great first step for Greg to drive our expansion in an area with so much potential.”