SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT | FASTSIGNS UK Established in 1985 in the United States by Gary Salomon and Bob Schanbaum, FASTSIGNS was developed in order to bring high-quality, and unsurprisingly, fast signage solutions to the market. In 1986 the company began franchising after receiving growing demand which then led to the company’s expansion into the UK in 1995. By the early 2000s FASTSIGNS was brought back under the ownership of its parent company and today operates as a subsidiary with a dedicated and local team. In line with its 30-year anniversary in the British sign-industry, we take a look at how the UK arm of FASTSIGNS International has grown, and how it operates under a network of 23 centres nationwide. Supporting Communities According to the company, the typical FASTSIGNS centre ranges between 2,000 and 2,500sq ft. with around 796 FASTSIGNS locations across nine countries. With a presence around the globe, and expertise in the industry since 1986, it is no wonder that FASTSIGNS International and it’s UK subsidiary have been around as long as they have. As a franchise-based business, the company feels it's important it provide a range of services to a variety of stakeholders while also supporting those wanting to start a business. John Davies, UK managing director for FASTSIGNS International, says: “As the franchisor, we open the doors for aspiring entrepreneurs to enter the signage and graphics industry, by offering a tried and tested business model that helps people build profitable businesses in this exciting, dynamic, and creative industry.” Davies adds: “This leads to one of our key unique selling points. By working closely with our franchisees, we’re able to foster strong connections with customers throughout the UK. Our customer’s signage needs are only really curtailed by their imagination, something which, through our experience and industry knowledge, is often expanded further.” When it comes to production, FASTSIGN centres offer solutions like custom banners, health and safety signage, vehicle graphics, wayfinding systems, digital displays, and more. “What truly sets us apart, however, is our end-to-end service,” says Davies, adding: “From initial concept and design, right the way through to installation and aftercare, we go beyond simply producing signs.” At the time of writing FASTSIGNS operates 23 centres across the UK, however, the company has plans to open four new centres in Edinburgh, Cambridge, Bristol, and Liverpool. When asked about recent As FASTSIGNS UK celebrates 30 years in operation, we speak to John Davies, UK managing director for FASTSIGNS International, about how the franchisee business has grown, and what it stands for today Moving Fast with the Times changes, FASTSIGNS emphasises that it is continually evolving, and points to its brand position called ‘Make Your Statement’ which was developed in 2022 as a way of seeing signage as more than transactional but a reflection of customers and business owners. “In 2023, we also rolled out private ecommerce, designed to better support our existing customer base,” adds Davies, who explains: “These online tools now streamline the purchasing process for established clients, providing greater convenience and enhancing the overall service experience. “On the operational side, we’ve developed AI-driven systems to help franchisees and their teams deliver services more efficiently. These tools free up time for what they do best – building strong customer relationships and creating impactful, bespoke signage.” When asked about turnover, Davies says that the company is seeing a record number of UK franchisees reaching annual turnovers between £1.2 and £1.4m with the average centre currently turning over £450,000. “This growth is driven by the ongoing development of our brand and operational support, enabling our franchisees to reach their goals and thrive as successful business owners.” The FASTSIGNS Ethos When it comes to how a business operates, its values and ethos are often core 23 – FASTSIGNS has 23 centres nationwide 1985 – FASTSIGNS was established by its founders in the USA 1995 – The brand entered the UK market £450,000 – Average yearly turnover for centres is £450,000 Statistics 49 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 260 - August / September 2025 ▲ John Davies, UK managing director for FASTSIGNS International
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