Signs Express is the UK and Ireland’s leading sign making franchise, with 64 franchise centres nationwide and more than 25 years’ experience. A team at head office, based in Norwich, offers support in all areas of business to help franchisees develop and grow whilst also ensuring that the quality of products and services offered meet that of the high standard custom­ers have come to expect from the Signs Express brand.

This year Signs Express has seen the successful re-sale of four of its franchise network, two of these re-sales were the direct result from the National Franchise Exhibition held in October 2014, where Signs Express had a large stand to celebrate their 25th year in business. The stand attracted much attention and two business men were particularly interested in finding out more about what the franchise had to offer, Mark Glover and Janiv Patel.

Mark Glover – Signs Express (Stockport)

Mark saw Signs Express as the perfect opportunity to run his own business. With a strong career history of sales management, which involved a lot health & safety signage specification, Mark already knew how vast the signage and graphics industry is and after initially requesting further information about Signs Express at the exhibition, went on to buy the already existing, and successful Signs Express (Stockport).

Mark commented; “A franchise with Signs Express seemed like too good an opportunity to pass up. It came on to my radar at just the right time, I was in the position to invest in my own business and after meeting with the team at the franchising headquarters in Norwich, it soon became apparent that the staff and company as a whole share my ethics and commitment to continued improvement in all aspects of business.

Taking over the business at Stockport has been a very streamlined process and the team at HQ have offered support and advice every step of the way, ensuring that the previous owner’s exit plan was executed smoothly whilst simultaneously making sure I was fully prepared with intensive training before completion of the business take over. The team I have in Stockport (Signs Express) have so much knowledge and enthusiasm and their passion for the business is contagious! We all hope to grow the business from strength-to-strength over the coming years.”

Janiv Patel – Signs Express (Milton Keynes)

Like Mark, Janiv came across Signs Express at the same franchise exhibition in October 2014. A very successful management consultant and business development manager, Janiv was looking to strike out on his own after working for both a large corporate and his family’s business, The Vanguard Group. Janiv was very interested in buying a successful established business so as to immediately benefit from an existing customer base and profitable business.

After meeting with the team at head office to discuss re-sale opportunities, it became apparent that Signs Express (Milton Keynes) was the franchise opportunity which hit home hardest with Janiv. Milton Keynes (Signs Express) first opened its doors in 1995, and is one of the franchises longest standing centres and also one of the more successful, due to the dedication of Stuart Harrison, the original owner, and his team.

Prior to the business re-sale, and after intensive training at HQ, Janiv spent 3 months working with Stuart and his team, getting to understand the business, staff and customers before taking over such an established and well respected Signs Express centre.

Janiv commented on his experience with the business take over; “I knew I wanted to own a franchise business, I’ve always liked the idea of being my own boss but realised the benefits of being part of a successful franchise – you get to own your business whilst being able to use the strength and identity of a well trusted and respected national brand.

Signs Express got my attention at the National Franchise Exhibition, the team manning the Signs Express stand all seemed really enthusiastic about the industry and were all knowledgeable about their own sectors within the business. After arranging to meet with them at their HQ in Norwich, it became apparent that we would make for a good fit as both the company and myself are highly ambitious for growth and dedicated to providing, and maintaining, excellent products and service.

The three months I spent with Stuart was certainly a learning curve and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to work with him and his team and I feel very privileged to be working with such a dedicated bunch.”

Signs Express

Signs Express is a business franchise, which means that knowledge in the signs and graphics industry is not necessary as full training and ongoing support is provided. They look for people with business acumen and the passion to succeed. People who are able to bring out the best in their team and who are able to drive their business forward providing excellent products and customer service.

The team at head office are all dedicated in providing support and advice to all franchisees and helping them grow and develop both their businesses and their teams. They are only ever a phone call away and have knowledgeable and experienced staff in every support field you may require.