Essential service presents lucrative long-term business opportunity

As we adapt to the new normal, the signage industry is becoming highly attractive for many potential franchisees, according to FASTSIGNS

In recent months, we’ve learnt just how essential signage can be. FASTSIGNS knew this long ago and has been utilising its skills to assist in the management of the pandemic. Through the company’s franchised model, you could help too.

Over the past seven months, the UK public has been set adrift, reacting quickly to an ever-changing stream of information.

There seems to be no end in sight for when things will go back to the way they were prior to March 2020. However, even among all this change, worry and uncertainty, one thing that has remained consistent is the value of a good sign.

Reassuring presence

Whether thrown up quickly in the early days of the pandemic or more considered, brand-enhancing signage has evolved in shops, restaurants and places of entertainment as the nation settled into a new pattern of behaviour.

Signage stepped into the breach to ensure calm, maintain order and inform - a reassuring presence that brought comfort to many.

This is the enduring beauty of signage. In times of concern, a clear and concise sign allows people to disengage and follow instruction. In times of excitement or joy, a sign is a landmark or reminder of an event, location or feeling.

Business opportunity

The concepts discussed here are an outline of the emotional value signage can create for customers and end-users, making the signage industry highly attractive for potential franchisees who are looking for a new business opportunity.

Potential franchisees in the signage industry may look at the functional set-up of a sign, be it a traditional site identification sign, a vehicle graphic or an animated digital sign, and consider it high tech or outside of their capabilities. This is not the case.

FASTSIGNS has been in operation for 35 years and has over 700 franchisees operating in nine countries, with 24 of these located in the UK, the majority of whom did not have any experience in the signage industry prior to launching their business.

The company provides full training and support for newcomers to the industry, with ongoing support from business consultants and a robust network of suppliers that help franchisees create long-lasting value for their customers through signage.

Shining example

Richard Wedgwood, franchisee of FASTSIGNS Manchester, launched his business amid the 2008 financial crisis, having taken voluntary redundancy from his international sales and procurement role.

Over the last 12 years, Richard has built his centre to be one of FASTSIGNS UK’s shining examples of how its model can provide an effective business in an exciting and creative industry.

Richard says his experience of the support provided by FASTSIGNS is “invaluable”, adding: “The initial training provided an excellent overview of the business from FASTSIGNS’ perspective. I’ve also developed a wide-ranging array of new skills.”

At a glance FASTSIGNS

Established:

1985

Number of franchised outlets:

24 in UK. Over 700 worldwide

Location of units:

Birmingham, Bolton, Brighton, Chelmsford, Crawley, Enfield, Gloucester, Guildford, Hammersmith, Huddersfield, Hull, Islington, Kingston, Leeds, Leicester, Manchester, Maidstone, Milton Keynes, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sheffield, St Albans and York

Investment range:

£125,000-plus

Minimum required capital:

£36,000

Contact:

01785 253140. enquiries@fastsigns.com