Propelled Brands: Supporting Veterans and First Responders, Diversity, and Inclusion

Recognizing the hard work and sacrifices made by U.S. military veterans and first responders, Propelled Brands – the corporate umbrella of business-to-business and service-oriented franchises – is offering special incentives for those who have protected our country. By Jessica

Recognizing the hard work and sacrifices made by U.S. military veterans and first responders, Propelled Brands – the corporate umbrella of business-to-business and service-oriented franchises – is offering special incentives for those who have protected our country.

Providing a 50% reduction on their franchise fee, an approximate savings of close to $25,000, the family of brands, which includes FASTSIGNS, NerdsToGo, MY SALON Suite, and Salon Plaza, is placing great importance on bringing individuals on board with military acumen and first-responder preparedness.

“The leader mentality, management techniques, and strong initiative of veterans and first responders make veterans and first responders great franchisees, which is why those who have served for our country, or work as paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, sheriffs or firefighters, receive this reduction,” the company said in a statement.

The program originated with FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the leading sign and visual communications franchisor in North America that operates more than 750 independently owned and operated centers in eight countries. After acquiring NerdsToGo, an emerging IT services franchise brand in September 2020, and Suite Management Franchising, LLC, the parent company of MY SALON Suite and Salon Plaza, in June 2021, and forming the Propelled Brands group, the corporation expanded the initiative across its entire syndicate.

The company noted that the incentive has assisted a large share of former American military in accomplishing their entrepreneurial goals, offering valuable resources and supporting them every step of the way. Currently, 11% of FASTSIGNS and NerdsToGo franchisees are military veterans – a diverse statistic that Propelled Brands hopes to increase in the future.

“Every company should value diversity and inclusion because of the richness and strength it brings to their business,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., CEO of Propelled Brands, and chair of the International Franchise Association, referring to her company’s recently formed Diversity and Inclusion Committee, in which veterans are included.

“Over the years, the signage and franchising industries have become more diverse and inclusive, but there’s more we can do – and as the leader in our sector, FASTSIGNS is proud to lead the way,” Monson continued. “Diversity and inclusion need to extend beyond personalities, professional backgrounds and other life experiences, and encompass all of an individual’s unique characteristics and experiences, including race, gender, ethnicity, age, religion, disability, national origin, and sexual orientation. Supporting and building diversity and inclusion is the right thing to do for our employees, our franchisees, our franchisees’ teams, our stakeholders, our customers, and our industry. We look forward to expanding this initiative across Propelled Brands.”

Composed of a diverse group of FASTSIGNS franchisees selected from the brand’s global network, the committee was created to foster an environment that promotes and prioritizes diversity and inclusion within not only the FASTSIGNS system but also the broader signage and franchising industries.

The eight committee members will tackle important subjects, such as increasing the number of minority franchisees within the FASTSIGNS system, promoting more open dialogue and collaboration, workplace environments, training protocols, education, and other topics to create more inclusive initiatives. Additionally, the committee will work to ensure diverse individuals can lead rewarding careers at FASTSIGNS International and FASTSIGNS locations.

For more information about FASTSIGNS, NerdsToGo, MY SALON Suite or Salon Plaza, contact Mark Jameson, chief support and development officer for Propelled Brands, via email at mark.jameson@propelledbrands.com or call 214-346-5679.

– Jessica