10. FAQs
What type of franchise is Signs Now?
Signs Now offers you a modern, clean and high-tech digital graphics communications business. As an owner, you will provide a wide range of digital graphics and signage solutions to small and medium size businesses in your market, as well as to individual customers. You will create and keep your customers by exceeding their expectations of quality customer service.
How big is the Sign industry and does it present a strong growth opportunity?
Every business needs visual communications. The most recent U.S. Census Bureau data (2006), characterized sign manufacturing as an $11.7 billion industry, which is significant number. However, signs are created in business sectors that are not characterized by the Census as sign manufacturing in industries like digital printing, display advertising services, graphic design business, etc., making the opportunity in our industry far more significant.
What type of hours does a Signs Now owner usually work?
In the beginning, there will be a lot to do and you should expect to spend extra hours getting your business set up. After that, you will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekends are not traditionally part of our normal business hours of operation.
What is the initial investment required?
The estimated initial investment for a New Signs Now center ranges from $160,233 to $309,405.
This is the estimated initial investment for opening a new Signs Now center. For detailed investment requirements for a Signs Now MatchMakerTM or a Signs Now AdvantageTM center refer to Item 7 in the appropriate Franchise Disclosure Document.
This is the estimated initial investment for opening a new Signs Now center. For detailed investment requirements for a Signs Now MatchMakerTM or a Signs Now AdvantageTM center refer to Item 7 in the appropriate Franchise Disclosure Document.
Do I have to start a Signs Now center from scratch?
No. You can get a significant head start by acquiring an existing business. Signs Now can help you purchase an existing Signs Now center whose owner is ready to exit or buy an independent sign business and convert it to the Signs Now model through our MatchMaker™ Program. Either strategy will provide you with significant advantages over a traditional start-up, sign-making franchise.
What if I have no prior experience in buying an existing business?
Signs Now has a highly experienced team of Mergers and Acquisitions professionals that will assist you in locating an independent businesses for sale and help you conduct the initial qualifying, financial analysis and valuation of the businesses. They will also provide you with the important guidance you need to conduct your due diligence, formulate a Letter of Intent, develop the Asset Purchase Agreement and finally take ownership of your new business.
What are the ongoing fees payable to Signs Now during the term of the franchise?
Signs Now receives a six percent (6%) royalty on your center’s gross sales receipts, including new products or services authorized for sale in your center by Signs Now. The royalty fee decreases to lower levels down to as low as 0% as various sales volume thresholds are achieved during each year. Signs Now collects an additional two percent (2%) marketing, advertising and promotions contribution in order to help subsidize a huge array of proven marketing programs, collaterals, creative support and promotional tools to help you attract and communicate with your customers. The marketing fees are capped at certain sales volume levels each year as well.
Does Signs Now provide any financing?
Signs Now does not provide financing directly. However, we have relationships with several extremely reputable national franchise finance companies that will consult with you and provide the guidance necessary to formulate the right funding strategy for your new sign franchise. If you are buying an existing business, seller financing is often used as more direct and less complicated option.
Do I need sign or design experience to obtain a Signs Now franchise?
No. You will hire design and production focused employees to handle that work for you. A background in sales and marketing or project management is most helpful. As a Signs Now owner, your role is to work on the business and not in the business. A positive, service oriented attitude is also a key characteristic we look for in our franchisees.
Will I own my own center?
Yes. As a Signs Now franchisee, you are the business owner and you own the assets of your company. You are licensed by Signs Now to operate your center using all the resources and support systems that come with the franchise model.
What is the size of a Signs Now Center?
A new Signs Now graphics and signage center will range between 1,800 and 2,500 square feet.
Do you provide complete training?
Yes. We provide a complete, extensive training program for new franchise owners. Three weeks of this training is held at the Signs Now Training Academy in Sarasota, Florida and another full week of training is held in your new center prior to your opening. Once you open your center, your Regional Operations Director will visit you in order to assess your progress and put an action plan in place for your continued development and business planning. You will also have other key support staff available by telephone to assist in the day-to-day questions that typically arise.
Do you help me find the right site?
Yes. Our new center opening process is quite thorough and includes assistance with site selection and inspection, lease negotiation and the design and build out of your new Signs Now center. Demographics, traffic counts, business counts and other needed statistics will be used to determine the best available site. Once you’ve selected your site, we will help you plan and lay out your center to best fit the dimensions of the space, create the best production efficiencies and maintain the appearance of the Signs Now Industrial studio branding.
How long does it take to get a Signs Now center open?
From the time you sign the franchise agreement, it takes approximately 90 – 120 days to work through the opening process and get your new site open for business.
How do I qualify for a franchise?
The process begins by connecting with a Franchise Development Manager who will take you through the Discovery and Approval steps required before Signs Now will award a franchise. The first step is simply to request information so that we may send you some meaningful materials to start your learning process.
By appointment, we will then walk you through the process so that we make sure to explain all of the key areas of our franchise model in detail, address your questions and best understand your qualifications, background and goals for your new signs franchise. Once you have submitted an application and have been approved for the franchise, you will be invited to attend a Discovery Day meeting at our Headquarters and Training academy so that we may all get to know each other in person and make the final determination as to whether a franchise will be awarded. The entire process normally takes from three to five weeks.
By appointment, we will then walk you through the process so that we make sure to explain all of the key areas of our franchise model in detail, address your questions and best understand your qualifications, background and goals for your new signs franchise. Once you have submitted an application and have been approved for the franchise, you will be invited to attend a Discovery Day meeting at our Headquarters and Training academy so that we may all get to know each other in person and make the final determination as to whether a franchise will be awarded. The entire process normally takes from three to five weeks.
Our corporate staff exists for
the sole purpose of helping us
be successful and is always
coming up with new support
programs. I am so sold on
Signs Now that I brought three
of my children into the business
as partners.
the sole purpose of helping us
be successful and is always
coming up with new support
programs. I am so sold on
Signs Now that I brought three
of my children into the business
as partners.
