(CARROLLTON, Texas) -- FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced it has signed a Master Franchise Agreement with the Famalco Group to open 16 new centers throughout Malta, Italy and Greece over the next several years. FASTSIGNS has experienced a surge in franchise development and international growth this year fueled by its ongoing success, opening 25 centers across the U.S., Canada, and England so far in 2017, as well as signing 26 franchise agreements to develop additional new, co-branded, and conversion locations worldwide.
"To date, 2017 has marked a year of significant growth for us, and we're thrilled to accelerate this momentum and leverage our ongoing success to grow FASTSIGNS footprint in key international markets," said Mark Jameson, EVP of Franchise Support and Development, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. "The strength of our business model and success of our existing franchisees have fueled interest from entrepreneurs around the world looking to diversify their portfolios with an established industry leader. As multi-unit operator with an incredibly diverse portfolio of business concepts, the team at the Famalco Group brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, and we're confident they'll be valuable partners in our European expansion efforts."
Founded in 1994, the Famalco Group has diversified its portfolio to include retail and hospitality, real estate services, mobility, marketing and communications (marcom), investment partnerships, fresh produce, logistics, business solutions, earthworx, energy and engineering together with property development. The decision to partner with FASTSIGNS to expand the brand across Malta, Italy, and Greece is a testament to the strength of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., and the confidence they have in the brand.
"When seeking to reinforce our marcom division through collaborations with external partners, FASTSIGNS was the obvious choice. Their wealth of knowledge in the industry, business planning and technical support, combined with Famalco Group's passion for growth and innovation where the ideal match. Through our franchise agreement with FASTSIGNS, we have invested in the industry's most recognized brand which enables us to bring new concepts of visual communications into the markets we shall operate in," said Hermann Mallia, business development director at Famalco Group.
FASTSIGNS has achieved explosive international growth propelled by the ongoing worldwide need for visual communications and digital signage technology. In addition to the 16 new centers in development for Malta, Italy and Greece, the company currently has locations and is expanding its presence in Australia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, the United Kingdom, Grand Cayman and Puerto Rico. FASTSIGNS is seeking qualified candidates to grow its international footprint in target markets throughout the world, including Brazil, Quebec,& North Africa, Southeastern Asia, India, Europe and Latin America.
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. was ranked number 1 in the Business Services/Signs category for 2017 and 95 overall in Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500®, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Acknowledged by entrepreneurs and franchisors as a top competitive tool of measurement, the Franchise 500® recognizes FASTSIGNS for its exceptional performance in areas including financial strength and stability, growth rate and brand power. FASTSIGNS also has been recognized for its franchisee satisfaction by being named a World Class Franchise by the Franchise Research Institute for five consecutive years and ranking number one in franchisee satisfaction by Franchise Business Review in 2016 and was recently named to Franchise Business Review's innovative franchise brands list.
For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson at (214) 346-5679.
About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of 660 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers in nine countries including the US, Canada, England, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Grand Cayman, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).