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CARROLLTON, Texas — The Dallas Business Journal recently named Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. as a 2019 Most Admired CEO. The 20 North Texas CEO honorees this year come from a range of industries including architecture, manufacturing, finance, healthcare, real estate, technology and transportation.

The Dallas Business Journal created The Most Admired CEO Awards in 2018 to recognize executives not only for impressive stewardship of their companies, but also for cultivating an inclusive, collaborative culture. Honorees hold their employees, products and services in the highest regard, run their companies with integrity and efficiency, and inspire those around them.

Selected from hundreds of nominees, the 2019 honorees will be recognized at an Awards Dinner on September 25 at the Belo Mansion in Dallas. Dallas Business Journal readers will be given an opportunity to select their favorite CEOs in a Readers Choice Survey. The survey will be conducted digitally prior to the awards event, and winners of the readers’ survey will be revealed during the celebratory evening.

“I am honored to be named one of the Dallas Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “I am truly thankful to get to work with an incredible corporate team and our amazing franchisees who dedicate their time and energy to growing and promoting the FASTSIGNS brand by providing outstanding comprehensive visual communications solutions to their customers.”

About Catherine Monson

Catherine became CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. in 2009, bringing over 25 years of franchising and management experience. In 2009, she received the International Franchise Association (IFA) Bonny LeVine Award in recognition of her contributions to the growth of the franchising industry and in 2010, the Dallas Business Journal named her a top Women Industry Leader in the Dallas Metroplex. In 2012, Catherine appeared on the Emmy Award-winning series Undercover Boss to learn new ways to advance the FASTSIGNS® brand. In 2013, she was named an “Innovator and Influencer” by Sign and Digital Graphics Magazine. In 2015, she received the IFA’s first Franchise Action Network “FAN of the Year” award for her advocacy work on behalf of the franchising community. In 2016, she was selected as a Soderstrom Society Inductee for her contributions to the printing and graphic communications industry and was also honored with the 2016 Leadership Award from the Women That Soar organization. Under Monson’s leadership, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. received the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition presented by the Department of Defense to employers for their exemplary support of National Guard and Reserve members. In 2017, Monson received the Distinguished Women Award presented by Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. In 2018, she was honored by the Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI) with their Ambassador of Free Enterprise Award. Catherine has served on the Board of Directors of the IFA since 2008 and is currently Vice Chair and will become Chairwoman in February 2020. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of Brain Balance, a franchise company with a non-drug alternative for children with behavioral challenges, and on the Board of Directors of the franchisor Big Blue Swim School, one of the nation’s fastest growing swim schools. She is a keynote speaker at many franchise industry events, as well as at many sign and visual graphics industry events.

For more videos on Catherine Monson, visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7qJckb26TTPGWl9wQJNjKA. Visit the section, “Get to Know the FASTSIGNS CEO Catherine Monson,” and click to the right.

No. 1-ranked Sign, Graphics and Visual Communications Franchisor Continues to Grow Its Successful Co-brand and Conversion Program throughout East Coast

CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS^®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today that it will be attending and sponsoring the National Business Media Show at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 12-14, 2019.

As part of its aggressive growth throughout the East Coast and nationwide, the brand is recruiting existing business owners interested in adding a FASTSIGNS to their existing business or fully converting their store to a FASTSIGNS franchise. Currently, franchise opportunities exist throughout Ohio in markets like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Newark, Springfield, Mansfield and Muncie, as well as Indianapolis, IN.

“FASTSIGNS’ co-brand and conversion programs are an opportunity for established entrepreneurs to expand their business with the help of an award-winning franchisor. FASTSIGNS franchisees benefit from not only our name recognition and strong reputation, but also from our constant research and new product development, and a business model that has proven to drive sales and reduce supply costs,” said Mark Jameson, Executive Vice President of Franchise Support and Development.

FASTSIGNS’ co-brand and conversion franchise offerings can be started with only $15,000 down on the initial franchise fee.

“I was looking for ways to bring my small business to the next level, and once I came across FASTSIGNS, I quickly learned that the return would be greatly worth the investment for both myself and my business as a whole,” said Josette Brinkman, who recently converted her existing business, Signed By Josette, LLC to a FASTSIGNS center in Findlay, Ohio which is slated to open Oct. 1. “FASTSIGNS has phenomenal brand recognition, and every corporate team member or fellow franchisee I’ve met has been committed to ensuring I have all of the necessary information needed to successfully launch as the newest center for the brand in Ohio. I’m extremely excited to get started and look forward to the opportunity to offer more solutions than just signs for my local community with the help of FASTSIGNS.”

FASTSIGNS is offering 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. Franchise Business Review has recognized FASTSIGNS as one of the “Best of the Best” for franchisee satisfaction for the last 10 years, as well as naming FASTSIGNS to its “Innovative Franchises” list in 2017, and its Top 50 Franchises for Women and Top Service Franchise lists in 2019. In 2018, Franchise Business Review named FASTSIGNS a “Best-in-Category” franchise. This year, 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.

CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the franchisor of more than 700 FASTSIGNS® locations in nine countries worldwide, has welcomed Shayne Mehringer as the company’s new Chief Information Officer.

Shayne Mehringer is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) who began his career with IBM and brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience with an extensive background in franchising, information technology, business startups and acquisitions. In his most recent role as CIO for Neighborly (formerly the Dwyer Group), the multi-brand franchisor based in Waco, he was responsible for the company’s global technology strategy and digital footprint for their 22 brands, representing over 3600 franchises. In that role, he worked to improve program performance, manage risk for Neighborly franchise brands and provide business transformation oversight.

During his time as CIO for Neighborly, Mehringer was also the president of ZorWare, LLC, which is a subsidiary of Neighborly that delivers technology solutions to franchisees, such as point-of-sale and accounting software. In addition, Mehringer has served as Senior Vice-President for a Mark Cuban-owned data center and cloud services company in Dallas, Texas, and he has spent over a decade launching and managing a series of startups in manufacturing, technology consulting, commercial printing and e-commerce. In 2008, he sold these businesses and held a seat on the Board of Directors and served as President of the operating entities until 2011.

“We are thrilled to welcome Shayne Mehringer to our team. With an extensive background in franchising and information technology, he is the perfect addition to support our franchisees,” said Catherine Monson, CEO at FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “We look forward to Shayne’s expertise and assistance to take us into our rapidly expanding future at FASTSIGNS.”

A native Texan, Mehringer is also actively involved with the International Franchise Association.

No. 1-Ranked Sign, Graphics and Visual Communications Franchisor Continues Midwest Expansion, Recruiting Franchisee Candidates at Franchise Expo Chicago Sept. 13-14, 2019

CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS^®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today it signed a franchise development agreement to open a new location in Chicago — part of the FASTSIGNS’ continued development throughout Chicago and the Midwest. The new location is targeted to open in the Loop and will be owned and operated by Tony McHale.

“With nearly 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and branding, Tony has the expertise and passion to thrive as a FASTSIGNS franchisee,” said Mark Jameson, Executive Vice President of Franchise Support and Development. “We’re thrilled to have him join FASTSIGNS as we continue to build our presence throughout Chicago.”

Prior to joining FASTSIGNS, McHale was Vice President of Sales, Retail, for North Aurora, Illinois-based Oberweis Dairy. He also held executive-level sales and marketing positions at Mistica Foods and Scala’s Original.

“I’ve always wanted to run my own company and after almost 30 great years in the corporate world, the timing was right to make this entrepreneurial leap,” McHale said. “At every stage of growth, businesses need visual media and marketing. I believe that FASTSIGNS is ideally placed to helped companies of every size meet their marketing needs, large or small. The sheer number of services that FASTSIGNS is able to offer its clients means we can do nearly anything for our business partners. I look forward to the opportunity to help other companies maximize their marketing opportunities.”

FASTSIGNS currently has several locations in the Chicago area — including on East Ohio St., North Halsted St. in West Loop, in Bucktown, and in Lakeview — and will open another in Addison in early January 2020. FASTSIGNS is looking to continue growing throughout the market and surrounding communities. As part of its aggressive franchise development plans, FASTSIGNS will exhibit at Franchise Expo Chicago at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center from Sept. 13-14, 2019. Interested candidates can meet FASTSIGNS’ franchise development team at booth #313 and learn more about franchise opportunities nationwide.

FASTSIGNS is offering a special incentive nationwide 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. Franchise Business Review has recognized FASTSIGNS as one of the “Best of the Best” for franchisee satisfaction for the last 10 years, as well as naming FASTSIGNS to its “Innovative Franchises” list in 2017, and its Top 50 Franchises for Women and Top Service Franchise lists in 2019. In 2018, Franchise Business Review named FASTSIGNS a “Best-in-Category” franchise. This year, 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.