FASTSIGNS Franchise Business: A Freedom Award Finalist

The leading visual communications, signs and graphics brand FASTSIGNS International, Inc. has been chosen as a finalist for the 2016 edition of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. This award is the highest level of recognition employers can receive from the Department of Defense and is given to a business in recognition of outstanding support for Reserve and National Guard Members.

FASTSIGNS was nominated by Force Reservist and Business Consultant Stephen MacKenzie of Indiana after his recent overseas deployment. While MacKenzie was away, FASTSIGNS provided MacKenzie and his family with support.

Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS, spoke of the honor that the company feels at being named a top Freedom finalist, and she noted that standing behind the franchise business's veteran and active duty employees is considered part of their corporate responsibility. According to Monson, FASTSIGNS is touched by MacKenzie's nomination and will continue to support and offer incentives to the active duty and veteran members of the FASTSIGNS family.

In total, more than 2,400 nominations were received across the country for this year's Freedom Award. The 2016 finalists are 11 big employers, 10 smaller employers and nine employers in the pubic sector. The recipients will be announced near the end of May, with a formal ceremony at the Pentagon to follow. FASTSIGNS is the only Freedom Award finalist in the State of Texas for 2016.

More than 10 percent of the current FASTSIGNS franchisees are former and current military members. The visual brand is part of the International Franchise Association’s Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, which helps veterans access franchise opportunities via financial assistance, industry support and training. Veterans who join the FASTSIGNS network in the US can also take advantage of incentives, which include a discounted franchise fee of $22,250 and reduced advertising fees and royalties over the first year. The franchise brand has been recognized as a leading franchise for veterans by top publications such as Military Times, G.I. Jobs and USA Today.

With more than 600 locations spanning nine countries, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is a graphics and visual communications industry leader that is currently seeking to expand and grow even further. Locations are available in many markets, including New York, Texas, California, Hawaii, Florida and Colorado.

To qualify for a FASTSIGNS franchise, applicants need a good credit rating, a net worth of at least $250,000 and a minimum of $80,000 in liquid capital. The franchisee fee is $44,500, with discounts available for eligible US service members, and the initial investment averages around $160,503.