Franchise opportunities – the complete business package
Our franchise model has been designed to provide a full professional service to a vast marketplace of potential customers in the B2B sector.
You will operate from light industrial premises providing signs and graphics products to businesses as diverse as schools and colleges, local authorities, offices, manufacturing, retail and transport companies.
As a management franchise, prospective franchisees require no industry experience as full training is provided and sign making staff will be appointed to work in your production unit. Your skills will be based on your own management and sales experience and your ability to lead a team.
Investment
It is important to us that all candidates are in the best financial situation and able to protect their own interests and financial commitments when applying to become a Signs Express franchisee.
For this reason we typically expect you to provide at least one third of the total capital requirement with the rest funded through bank finance.
- Franchisee capital requirement £32,500
- Typical bank loan £57,500
- Total requirement £90,000
The full investment amount includes all set up costs (inc. premises, equipment, transport), franchise fee, materials and working capital (for the first year), therefore alleviating the concerns which would normally be involved when starting a stand alone business. Request a prospectus for a full financial breakdown.
Training
The Signs Express franchise programme covers all aspects of the franchise model to help new franchisees acquire the skills needed to open their production centre doors with confidence.
The four-week training course will be held at our training facility in Norwich, where you will meet the support team and other franchisees. Once your centre is open, additional courses are available for both you and your staff and you will be regularly visited by our business development team.
The programme provides training in accounts, business development, human resources, IT, operations, sales & marketing, technical, and national accounts management; as well as any further assistance in locating premises, centre set-up and fit-out, marketing materials, and staff recruitment.
John Miller-Wilson, Franchisee, Signs Express (Bristol)Signs Express is a perfect example of all that is good about franchising: they are board members of the British Franchise Association (BFA) and look to take a supportive rather than dictatorial stance with their franchisees, which was important to me.
Nick Baxter-Sibley, Franchisee, Signs Express (Exeter)Starting in business from scratch really gave us a sense of achievement. When we started looking there wasn’t as much scope for buying an already established franchise so we were lucky that our local area was still available. It was an ideal opportunity
Support
From your first day of training, you’ll be advised and supported by a team of experts dedicated to helping you establish and grow your business.
The franchise support structure includes:
- Sales and marketing
- Business development
- Accounts
- Technical support
- Operations
- HR
- National accounts
From on site visits to telephone support and business reviews, we are able to assist and advise at every stage of your business development.
In addition, we have a franchisee extranet which houses an active discussion group and hundreds of resource files to help you in your day to day work.
Rewards
Own a franchise and reap the rewards!
By starting your own business you are in control of your future. As well as the achievement of successfully running your own business there are many other emotional and financial rewards.
With the back up and support of an established franchise brand, franchise owners are usually more likely to reach profits earlier than self employed business owners.
Our established network has already been able to capitalise on their profit success including:
- Longstanding franchisees reaching over £5m invoiced sales.
- Well established franchisees with over £1m a year turnover
- Increase profits through premises and machinery expansion
Long term your business could also form part of your retirement plan:
- Franchisees have bought their own premises as part of long-term financial planning, reducing overheads
- Sell the business once it is a viable asset (a Signs Express recently sold for £750,000)
- Buy the premises prior to retirement, to receive rent as another form of income
- Hire a new manager or promote an existing member of staff/family member to run the business for you, leaving you to reap rewards during your retirement
