CARROLLTON, Texas, March 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With business services projected to be the top growth sector in the franchise industry in 2014*, one leading business-to-business franchise is blasting out of the gate with increased expansion plans and substantial development in one of its top domestic growth markets.
FASTSIGNS International, Inc.—the worldwide franchisor for the more than 545 FASTSIGNS ® sign, graphic and visual communications centers—has announced plans to increase its California presence with 7-10 new locations a year for the next five years. Adding to the 45 centers already operating throughout the state, the first six of these franchise agreements have already been inked with entrepreneurs who are opening FASTSIGNS centers in Irving, La Jolla, Lake Forest, Long Beach, Palo Alto and Petaluma.
"When it comes to domestic expansion, California ranks at the top of our list of key growth markets," said Mark Jameson, Executive Vice President of Franchise Support and Development at FASTSIGNS. "The success of our current locations and market demand are an impetus to our development strategy. While we are targeting our efforts statewide, our focus will be heavily on Southern California, including Los Angeles and Orange counties."
In addition to new center franchise opportunities , FASTSIGNS offers Co-Brand and Conversion franchise programs for independent sign and print shop owners who are interested in diversifying their services and gaining ongoing support from the leading brand in the sign and graphics industry.
For the new Lake Forest franchise partner and father of two young children, quality of life and flexibility attracted him to the business-to-business franchise model. Roger Toung, an engineer with 15 years of experience, explained, "When I began considering entrepreneurship, I knew the franchise route would be my best path. I wanted to completely transition my career into a new field, therefore the built-in support structure provided by the franchisor as well as the already proven business model were going to be essential to my success. The best part about joining FASTSIGNS is that I'm investing in a sustainable business that I can eventually pass down to my children."
Besides ongoing guidance and support from the franchisor, FASTSIGNS franchise partners benefit from various company programs, including access to $6 million in approved funding through the " Franchise America Finance " program which helps new and existing franchise partners finance their business. Military veterans also receive a 50 percent reduced franchise fee of $18,250, as well as reduced royalties for the first 12 months, through the company's support of the International Franchise Association's (IFA) VetFran program. FASTSIGNS is the only franchise in its industry to offer a 50 percent discount to any veteran, without stipulations.
Due to its resources and open flow of communication, FASTSIGNS consistently receives top ratings for system growth and franchisee satisfaction, including rating as the top sign and graphics franchise by the Franchise Research Institute and earning certification as a 2014 World-Class Franchise by the organization for the eighth consecutive year. FASTSIGNS was also included on Franchise Business Review's 2013 " FBR50 " and list of top 100 franchises for military veterans.
About FASTSIGNS ®
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the worldwide franchisor for the more than 545 FASTSIGNS ® sign, graphic and visual communications centers in eight countries including the US (and Puerto Rico), Canada, England, Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean, Saudi Arabia and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE ® ). FASTSIGNS centers, which are independently owned and operated, provide comprehensive visual communications solutions to help customers of all sizes – across all industries – meet their business objectives and increase their business visibility through the use of signs, graphics, printing, promotional products and related marketing services. FASTSIGNS was ranked number one for three consecutive years in the sign and graphics category in the Entrepreneur Magazine annual Franchise 500 ® . For franchise information, contact Mark Jameson ( mark.jameson@fastsigns.com or 214-346-5679) or visit www.fastsigns.com .
The FASTSIGNS International, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11508
* According to the International Franchise Association's 2014 Franchise Business Economic Outlook report
Jayne Levy, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300,
