It’s always a good sign when new services add to the bottom line, and that’s just what’s happening at Countrywide Signs after a move into the sponsored boards market helped power consecutive record months for franchisees.

Thanks to incredible growth in national accounts (up 85% year-on-year in May-June), increased numbers of commercial signage jobs, and a rapid growth in the number of event sponsorship boards, the network turnover record was broken in May and then surpassed again in June.

Event advertising and partnership boards featuring sponsors’ names and brands are proving increasingly popular, with one order for more than 300 for a single event!

The diverse revenue streams are adding up to big business for ambitious entrepreneurs: the top Countrywide Signs franchise, owned by Tony Williams and Rob Carter in Merseyside, is expected to break the £1m turnover milestone within 12-18 months.

Even owner-operators are enjoying the boom, with single-van turnover now exceeding £70,000 in several businesses as franchisees expand on their way to multi-van operations. The Countrywide Signs model is built around scalability, with options to grow from a one-vehicle base or hit the road running with two or four vehicles from day one.

Director Martin Attwood QFP says he’s never seen demand like it, with further record months expected through 2017 and beyond.

“We’ve had an incredible 12 months,” he said. “By quickly recognising the evolution of the estate agency market into online platforms and building strong, exclusive relationships with the likes of Purple Bricks, our franchise owners are setting records continuously. We have the perfect mix of high street brands and internet providers fuelling expansion for our network.”

“Then by moving into the commercial signage and sponsorship board markets, we’ve added extra revenue streams that are delivering big rewards thanks to the tireless pursuit of excellence displayed by Countrywide Signs franchise owners. Our reputation, and our business, has never been stronger, which is a huge tribute to their customer service and operating standards.”