CARROLLTON, Texas, Aug. 23, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FASTSIGNS International Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® visual communications, signage and graphics centers, announces a successful second quarter with continued global expansion and double-digit system-wide sales.
FASTSIGNS has signed a total of 18 new deals this year, seven of which were independently owned sign shops that converted to the FASTSIGNS brand. The company most recently signed two deals in Canada, growing the brand in Ontario through conversions of independent sign shops to the FASTSIGNS franchise brand. Ted Schouten, who will be converting his independent sign shop in London, Ontario into a FASTSIGNS center later this year, explained how the conversion will help grow his business.
"Converting my shop to a FASTSIGNS center offers significant benefits as both a business owner and to my customers," Schouten said. "With FASTSIGNS cutting edge innovation and technical resources, we'll be able to produce higher quality work in a more efficient way, and I'm confident that the brand's business development, ongoing sales and marketing support will help me achieve long-term growth goals."
In addition to signing new deals, FASTSIGNS opened 12 new centers in the second quarter, including its first location in Puerto Rico through a multi-unit deal with a group of prominent business leaders. FASTSIGNS will also open its first franchise center in Saudi Arabia as part of a 10-unit deal later this month.
FASTSIGNS Senior Vice President of Franchise Support & Development Mark Jameson noted that the company also continues to focus on signing military veterans as franchise owners and offers a 50 percent discount on franchisee fees.
"Veterans have many of the qualities, including loyalty, self-discipline and a strong work ethic, that we look for in franchise partners," Jameson said. "We're looking forward to carrying our momentum into the second half of the year by partnering with our nation's heroes to open new centers and convert existing shops."
Jameson added that the company, which provides marketing and visual communications solutions to businesses, organizations and events of all types and sizes, plans to open another 15 centers this year. Further solidifying their role as a leader in the industry, FASTSIGNS was ranked number one for the second year in a row in the sign and graphic category in the 2012 Entrepreneur Magazine annual Franchise 500®. The company was also named one of the 50 Top Franchises for Veterans in 2012 by USA Today – Franchising Today.
About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the worldwide franchisor for the more than 530 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® provides 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 the second year in a row in the sign and graphic category in the 2012 Entrepreneur Magazine annual Franchise 500®. For franchise information, contact Mark Jameson (mark.jameson@fastsigns.com or 214-346-5679) or visit www.fastsigns.com.
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