Twenty years after the FASTSIGNS® concept of quick turn-around signs and graphics was originated by the late Bob Schanbaum and Gary Salomon, today there are locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Australia (where they operate under the name, SIGNWAVE®).  FASTSIGNS® centers focus on meeting the sign and graphics needs of business customers.  Salomon is FASTSIGNS International, Inc.'s chief executive officer and president.

"We continue to expand at a steady pace and to focus on seeking quality owner-operators who can grow with us," said Salomon.  "Our overall system sales and same-store sales showed double-digit increases from 2003 to 2004.  We are excited to have opened our 460th center overall, and anticipate the opening this spring of our 400th U.S. center, for which we have a signed franchise agreement."  The 460th center worldwide is in Menomonee Falls, Wis., and is owned and managed by Patrick Yates.

"In 1985, Bob and I identified a concept that we believed was innovative and a breakthrough based on technological changes," Salomon said.  "The most important elements in our success have been having a viable concept, selecting quality franchisees and establishing systems that we could teach and duplicate in every center from the very beginning."

In 1985, Salomon and Schanbaum tested their business concept by using their own money to open three company stores over a two-year period.  At the end of that time, the partners realized they needed an owner-operator in each location, which led them to pursue franchising, said Salomon.  "Our concept, which reaches a business-to-business customer, requires a retail environment, a high level of customer service, attention to detail, a focus on outside sales and the ability to deal with both technology and light manufacturing," he noted.  "With those requirements, we decided that franchising would be the best business model."

In 1987, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. sold its first franchise in Mesquite, Texas, near Dallas.  "Today, more than ever before, we take the time to carefully select franchisees with the right characteristics, capital, work ethic and energy who can execute our systems on the front line," said Salomon.

Another factor that has led to FASTSIGNS® success over the last 20 years, he said, has been the company's franchisee training program, which provides new franchisees with four weeks of training as well as ongoing training for center owners and their staffs.  "We've also benefited from our franchisees' creativity and the use of franchisee advisory groups.  In addition, we've quickly adopted new sign and graphics technology that allows us to produce better products more quickly.  We also provide aggressive marketing support to our store owners to help build name recognition in their communities."

About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers offer a full range of custom sign and graphic products, including banners, window-vehicle-floor graphics, safety and identification signage, trade show displays and exterior signage.

Source:Fastsigns

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