Established
1986
Franchise Units
188
Minimum Investment
$200,000
Franchise Fee
$49,500
Total Investment Range
$350,000
Home Based
No
Description
Signs Now is a well-established and highly respected name in the U.S. signage, graphics, and visual communications industry. The brand specializes in helping businesses stand out through high-impact custom signs, vehicle wraps, banners, displays, wall graphics, wayfinding systems, and branded environments. With decades of experience, Signs Now has positioned itself as a trusted partner for small businesses, corporations, institutions, and organizations that rely on professional visual communication to attract customers and reinforce brand identity.
What truly sets Signs Now apart is its consultative, solution-driven approach. Rather than being a commodity print shop, Signs Now centers operate as full-service visual marketing partners. Franchisees work closely with clients to understand goals, locations, budgets, and brand standards, then design, produce, and install signage solutions that deliver measurable impact. This value-based selling model allows franchise owners to build long-term client relationships and recurring revenue streams.
Background
Established Year: Signs Now was founded in 1986
Brand Journey & History: From its early days as a local sign provider, Signs Now expanded through franchising to become one of the most recognized signage brands in North America. Over the years, it has continuously evolved by adopting new digital printing technologies, design tools, and installation techniques.
Franchise Active Units: 188
Ownership: The brand is part of a larger franchising organization with multiple service-based franchise concepts, providing operational stability and shared resources
Market Presence: Strong footprint across major U.S. metropolitan and suburban markets, serving small businesses, enterprises, non-profits, and institutions
Industry Category: Signage, Printing, Graphics, and Visual Communications Franchise
Support Training
Signs Now provides a comprehensive, end-to-end support system designed to help franchisees launch confidently and scale sustainably.
Pre-Launch Support:
Franchisees receive assistance with site selection, layout planning, equipment sourcing, vendor relationships, and business setup. The franchisor guides owners through the pre-opening checklist to ensure compliance, efficiency, and brand consistency from day one.
Training Program:
New franchise owners undergo in-depth initial training covering sales processes, consultative selling, design fundamentals, production workflows, project management, installation best practices, and customer service standards. Training includes both classroom-style learning and hands-on operational experience.
Operational Support:
Ongoing operational guidance is provided through field support, performance reviews, best-practice sharing, and access to proven systems and software. Franchisees benefit from standardized processes that reduce trial-and-error and improve profitability.
Marketing & Sales Support:
Signs Now supports franchisees with national branding, marketing templates, digital assets, CRM guidance, and local marketing strategies. Franchisees learn how to target B2B clients, build referral networks, and develop repeat business relationships.
Ongoing Support:
Continuous education, technology updates, peer collaboration, and access to experienced support teams help franchise owners stay competitive as the signage industry evolves.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal Signs Now franchisee is a business-minded individual or partnership with strong sales, management, or entrepreneurial skills. Prior experience in signage, printing, or design is helpful but not required, as comprehensive training is provided.
Successful owners are typically consultative problem-solvers who enjoy working with other businesses, building local relationships, and managing projects from concept to completion. Comfort with B2B sales, attention to detail, and a willingness to engage in community networking are important traits.
From an investment perspective, franchisees should have sufficient capital to cover startup costs and working capital, along with the drive to grow a local market. Signs Now is well-suited for owner-operators, semi-absentee owners with a strong manager in place, and multi-unit operators looking to expand within a defined territory.
Financial Detail
| Financial Component | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | ~$49,500 |
| Total Investment Required | ~$200,000 – $350,000 |
| Minimum Investment | ~$200,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements & Build-Out | ~$40,000 – $90,000 |
| Equipment & Technology | ~$70,000 – $120,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | ~$10,000 – $20,000 |
| Marketing & Grand Opening | ~$8,000 – $15,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 Months) | ~$30,000 – $60,000 |
| Royalty Fee | Ongoing % of gross sales |
| Brand / Marketing Fee | Ongoing contribution |
| Territory Type | Protected exclusive territory |
| Break-Even Timeline | ~18 – 36 months |
| Expected ROI | Market & performance dependent |
| Primary Revenue Streams | Custom signage, vehicle wraps, wall graphics, banners, wayfinding, corporate branding |
