(CARROLLTON, Texas) March 1, 2016 — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the leader in signs, graphics and visual communications, announced today the company is recruiting franchisees with a focus on targeting co-branding opportunities to enable expansion throughout the U.S. To help spread the word about franchise opportunities with the brand to commercial print shop owners, FASTSIGNS is sponsoring the 2016 Printing Industries of America President’s Conference and FASTSIGNS CEO Catherine Monson is delivering the Keynote Address on March 7th in Palm Desert, California.

“Over the past several years, FASTSIGNS has seen major opportunities for franchise growth across the U.S., especially with existing print shop owners who are looking to expand and diversify their business by joining the FASTSIGNS franchise system,” said Mark Jameson, EVP of Franchise Support and Development, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “As a leader in the visual communications industry, FASTSIGNS offers existing print shop owners a way to add new revenue streams and take advantage of a national brand presence with the same target customer base while still retaining their original business identity.”

Launched in 2012, the FASTSIGNS Co-Brand program accounted for 20 percent of the franchise agreements signed in 2015, a significant increase from prior years. With partners now in the print and photofinishing industries, the FASTSIGNS Co-Brand program helps independent business operators with print-related services add the FASTSIGNS brand and a full-suite of solutions, while retaining control of their existing business. Co-Brand franchisees can join FASTSIGNS for a down payment of $10,000, saving them significant time, resources and money when enhancing their existing operations and service offerings. Co-Brand franchisees consistently report that the program has added value for customers, promoting long-term growth opportunities for their businesses.

To help fuel development and gain exposure for the brand, Monson is addressing industry professionals at the Printing Industries of America President’s Conference next week in her Keynote Address titled, “What it Takes to be a Successful Leader: A Component of Leading a Positive Transformation.” Monson will share experiences from her 30-year career in digital printing and franchising. She will discuss specific skills and characteristics of the best leaders and share how to develop strengths in each of these areas.

Local entrepreneurs are invited to meet with the brand’s franchise development team to learn more about growth opportunities across the U.S. The fast-growing brand currently has 600 locations in the U.S. and eight additional countries, but is looking to expand with additional new and co-branded centers. Due to the rising worldwide need for visual communications and digital signage technology, the company expects to open another 45 to 50 locations in 2016, as well as finalize master franchise agreements in two new countries.