CARROLLTON, Texas, Sept. 13, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lending to small businesses is on the rise in mid-2013—now at its highest index in six years—indicating that economic recovery is on firmer ground, thus encouraging small businesses to borrow, invest and grow, according to the Thomson Reuters/PayNet Small Business Lending Index.
While many small businesses will likely consider refreshing their look, FASTSIGNS® – the worldwide franchisor of visual communications, signage and graphics centers – is helping independent print shop owners capitalize on this resurgence by maximizing on new channels for growth through wide-format, signage and graphics as part of the FASTSIGNS co-brand and conversion programs. These franchise opportunities allow independent business owners to take their companies to the next level through increased brand exposure, which will ultimately attract new customers and drive profit margins.
FASTSIGNS' growth, fueled by both the consistent global market demand for its services and the upturn of the U.S. economy, shows no signs of slowing down. The company finalized 38 new center agreements in 2012 to become the largest sign and graphics franchisor in North America and is experiencing similar numbers in 2013. The worldwide franchisor has already opened 18 new centers and signed 22 agreements this year, calling for new centers in Chicago's West Loop, Orange County, Calif., Carrollwood, Fla., and six new centers across Canada.
"Now is a better time than ever for independent business owners to start taking steps towards expanding their business offerings, and we are doing everything we can to help these potential franchisees come onboard," said Mark Jameson, FASTSIGNS Senior Vice President of Franchise Support & Development. "In addition to offering special incentives for conversion and co-brand centers, FASTSIGNS is also involved with a franchise lending program created by The Bancorp Bank and Franchise America Finance for new center development."
To spread the word about its growth plans and franchise opportunities, FASTSIGNS will be exhibiting at both the National Business Media (NBM) Show and the CONSAC Sign Expo later this month.
The NBM show, which will be held September 19 - 21 at the Philadelphia Convention Center, is a business-to-business trade show intended to educate attendees on the latest in sign making, digital printing, apparel decorating, engraving, personalization, promotional products and more. Mark Jameson, will be at Booth No. 409 to speak with independent business owners about the company's franchise opportunities.
Meanwhile, other FASTSIGNS representatives will be at CONSAC-Imagemakers 2013, the Sign Association of Canada's national tradeshow that attracts delegates from all over the world to see the latest and greatest the Canadian sign industry has to offer. The CONSAC Sign Expo will take place on September 20 - 21 in Hall 5 of the International Centre in Mississauga and FASTSIGNS will be exhibiting at Booth No. 428.
"With small business borrowing on the rise, comes an influx of companies revamping their locations and refreshing their branding," Jameson said. "FASTSIGNS recognizes this and is constantly investigating optimum business growth plans and technology to stay on top of the industry and propel our business further. Trade shows are the perfect way to share insight about these opportunities with people who would greatly benefit from joining our system."
FASTSIGNS is the largest sign and graphics franchisor in North America and consistently receives top ratings for system growth and franchisee satisfaction, including: certification as a 2013 World-Class Franchise by the Franchise Research Institute, inclusion on the Franchise Business Review's 2013 "FBR50", and inclusion in Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500® as the No. 1 franchisor in the sign and graphic category.
With more than 540 FASTSIGNS sign and graphics centers in eight countries, the company provides marketing and visual communications solutions to businesses, organizations and events of all types and sizes. FASTSIGNS offers a variety of sign and graphics solutions – including banners, building signs, digital signage, yard signs, vehicle graphics, decals, trade show exhibits and displays, point-of-purchase signs, and posters – as well as mobile websites, promotional products, interior décor, branding, printing and other marketing services.
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®. For franchise information, contact Mark Jameson (mark.jameson@fastsigns.com or 214-346-5679) or visit www.fastsigns.com.
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