Business Description

FASTSIGNS centers use state-of-the-art computer technology to create custom signs, graphics, banners, trade show exhibits, vehicle graphics and much more. A pioneer in the sign industry, FASTSIGNS has continued to grow by optimizing our systems and expanding the scope of our products and services. Today, with a growing store network of over 500 centers spanning the globe, FASTSIGNS is an acknowledged leader in one of the world's most dynamic franchised industries. At FASTSIGNS, our primary goal is to help our franchisees build successful centers that achieve and maintain high sales volumes and maximum profits, year after year. And we're accomplishing our goal! Our average per store gross sales have increased 15 of the last 16 years to $680,897 in 2006 (Average gross sales for the period ending 12/31/06 as stated in our UFOC).

Franchisor Background

Year Established:  1985

Franchising Since:  1986

Operating Units:
Franchised Units:	503	100%
Company-Owned Units:	0	0%
Total Operating Units:	503	100.0%
Geographic Distribution: U.S.: 421 83.7% In 45 States Canada: 13 2.6% In 4 Canadian Provinces International: 69 13.7% In 0 Foreign Countries   Total: 503 100.0%

North America:
States/Provinces with the largest number of operating units:

Density	Units
1. California	41
2. Florida	33
3. Texas	56

Registered in Following Registration States: California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, District Of Columbia, Alberta

Financial Requirements

Investment:
Minimum Net Worth:	$189K
Cash Investment:	$75K
Total Investment:	$189-272K
Average Total Investment:	$231K
Fees:
Initial Franchise Fee:	$25K
Average Franchise Fee:	$25K
On-Going Royalty:	6%
Average Royalty:	6%
Advertising Fee:	2%

Average Number of Employees: 3 Full-time, 0 Part-time

Space Needs (in square footage): 1,800-2,000

Preferred Sites: Strip Center

Other Sites:

Encourage Conversions? Yes

Earnings Claims Provided?: Yes

Franchisee Qualifications
Ranked from 1 (unimportant) to 5 (important):
Financial Net Worth:	5
General Business Experience:	4
Specific Industry Experience:	1
Formal Education:	2
Psychological Profile:	3
Personal Interview(s):	5
Terms of Contract
Term of Initial Contract:	20 Year(s)
Term of Renewal Period:	10 Year(s)
Passive Ownership:	Not Allowed
Area Development Agreements?	No
Sub-Franchising Contracts?	No
Franchisees Allowed to Expand Within Territory?	Yes
Support and Training
International Franchise Association:	Yes
Canadian Franchise Association:	Yes
Franchisee Association/Member:	Yes, Member
Size of Corporate Staff:	101
Site Selection Assistance?	Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance?	Yes
Financial Assistance?	Yes, Indirect
Marketing Support:
Co-Op Advertising:	Yes
National Advertising:	Yes
Regional Advertising:	Yes
Local Advertising:	Yes
Marketing Materials:	Ad Slicks, Brochures, Catalogs, Direct Mailers, Emails, Promotional Items, Radio Ads, Trade Show Exhibits, Videos
Additional Services:	Grand Opening, In-house Marketing, Marketing Research, Newsletter, Online Extranet, Press Releases, Sales Strategies
Other Marketing Support:	None Specified
On-Going Support:
Central Data Processing:	Not Applicable
Central Purchasing:	Not Applicable
Field Operation Evaluation:	Included in Fees
Field Training:	Included in Fees
Initial Store Opening:	Included in Fees
Inventory Control:	Not Applicable
Franchisee Newsletter:	Included in Fees
Regional or National Meetings:	Included in Fees
800 Telephone Hotline:	Included in Fees
Training:
1. On-Site	2 Weeks
2. Dallas, TX;	2 Weeks
Expansion Plans
Projected New Units Over Next 12 months: 37 U.S.: Yes, All United States Canada: Yes, All Canada Overseas: Yes, UK, New Zealand, Australia	Request Franchisor Info   Submit an online form to receive information from FASTSIGNS.   •  Coupons   •  Franchise Video   •  Promotional Items