CARROLLTON, Texas, April 12, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FASTSIGNS®, the worldwide franchisor for the more than 540 FASTSIGNS sign, graphic and visual communications centers in eight countries that has consistently received high accolades in the United States for achieving high levels of franchisee satisfaction, has duplicated that success in Canada.
The franchisor was recently recognized as the Gold winner of the 2013 Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) Award of Excellence in Franchising in the Traditional – Mature Category. FASTSIGNS was also honored as a recipient of the Franchisees' Choice designation for the second time. Both awards were presented on April 8, 2013 during a Gala Awards Presentation at the 22nd annual CFA National Convention in Montréal, Québec.
The CFA Awards of Excellence in Franchising are given annually to franchise systems that have demonstrated the strongest, most mutually-rewarding relationships with their franchisees, based on the results of a comprehensive survey of franchisors and their franchisees administered by third-party research firm InfoFeedback.
"Franchisees should be at the center of every franchise system, and there is nothing more telling about the health of a system than the level of satisfaction among its franchisees," said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS. "We put high priority on providing our franchisees with the leadership, training, support and open communication they need and want from us. We are beyond thrilled to know that our efforts are making a positive impact on their businesses and that they are highly satisfied with us and the support we provide."
For the Franchisees' Choice designation, franchisees were asked to assess their franchisor in key areas of the franchise business model, including the franchisee selection process, franchisee Information package, leadership, business planning and marketing, training and support, ongoing operations, and the relationship between the franchisor and franchisee.
Bob Ramsden, owner of FASTSIGNS in Mississauga, Ontario since 2005, noted that he has a clear channel to communicate with the corporate office. "After many years in the corporate world, it's great to have open, two-way communication and an honest CEO who is transparent with franchisees. We regularly communicate about the business performance, financial expectations and brand positioning, among other things, which is refreshing to have in such a large franchise system."
FASTSIGNS was also recently recognized as a 2013 World-Class Franchise by the Franchise Research Institute, ranked 12th overall on the Franchise Business Review's "FBR50," and awarded a Franchise Update Media Group 2012 STAR Award; all for outstanding franchisee satisfaction.
With 23 centers currently in operation throughout Canada, the franchise expects to increase its presence with an additional five to seven locations open in the next 12 months.
For more information about FASTSIGNS, contact Mark Jameson (mark.jameson@fastsigns.com or 214-346-5679) or visit www.fastsigns.com.
About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the worldwide franchisor for the more than 540 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 third year in a row in the sign and graphic category in the 2013 Entrepreneur Magazine annual Franchise 500®.
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