Join the UK's Leading Signs & Graphics Franchise
Whether you're an experienced sign maker ready to scale, an independent signage business looking to rebrand and grow, or a business-savvy individual with no industry experience seeking your next opportunity — Signs Express offers the perfect platform to build a successful, sustainable business. Benefit from Monday to Friday working hours, strong earning potential, and full head office support from the Franchise Support Centre.
Why Join Signs Express?
- UK’s #1 signs and graphics franchise
- Earn up to £750,000+ turnover with 20% EBITDA potential
- Monday–Friday working – enjoy work-life balance
- Operate in your own exclusive territory
- Start from scratch, purchase a resale, try our conversion model (by buying an existing signage business and converting to Signs Express), or rebrand your existing signage business under the Signs Express name
- Full training, mentoring and operational support throughout
- Access to national accounts and collective buying power
- Winner of the BFA & HSBC 2024 Business Transformation Award
Choose the Business Model That Suits You
At Signs Express, we now offer four flexible routes to ownership so you can join us in a way that fits your background, goals and investment level:
- Resales: Purchase an established Signs Express centre with an existing customer base, local brand presence, experienced staff and recurring revenue.
- Start-ups: Launch a brand-new Signs Express centre in a prime, available territory. Perfect for ambitious individuals looking to build something from the ground up, with full training and support.
- Rebrands: Already running an independent signage business? Seamlessly rebrand as a Signs Express centre and gain access to our national marketing, operational support, group buying power and scalable growth model.
- Conversions: A hybrid of all three models, a Signs Express conversion sees us work with you to find an independent signage business for sale (in one of our vacant territories) and then help you to purchase it and convert it to a Signs Express in the process.
Creative, Consultative, Commercial
Our franchisees deliver bespoke signage and visual communication solutions to a wide variety of industries, from retail and construction to education, healthcare and manufacturing. Services include:
- Exterior building signage
- Illuminated and digital signs
- Vehicle graphics and wraps
- Exhibitions and displays
- Window graphics and bespoke wallpaper
- Health and safety signage
- Eco-friendly products and more
Setting You Up for Success
From your very first day, you’ll receive extensive training and hands-on support, including:
- Comprehensive onboarding and technical training
- Access to our custom-built Learning Management System (LMS)
- Business coaching, sales mentoring & operational guidance
- Dedicated Franchise Support Centre assistance in marketing, HR, IT, finance and more
- Local marketing campaigns run on your behalf
- Peer-to-peer best practice sharing across the network
- Growth options via our Hub & Spoke model for territory expansion
What Our Franchisees Say
“Nearly 25 years in, and I still love the industry and business. For a creative person who loves building relationships and meeting new people, being able to combine the two is ideal for me. Understanding our customers visions and bringing them to life gives me a huge buzz and seeing the work our team has produced in and around the city, gives me an enormous sense of pride.”
— Richard Howes, Signs Express (Lincoln)
“We’re excited to continue exploring what’s possible with the backing of such a strong and supportive network.”
— Matt Rutlidge, Signs Express (Central Lancashire)
“The business has been heading in a great direction, and joining the Hub & Spoke model was the perfect next step.”
— Kris Bell, Signs Express (Aylesbury)
“Rarely any two days are the same making each day interesting! As cheesy as it sounds, it’s the job satisfaction and being able to make a difference which motivates me still after 20 years ownership.”
— Ian Charles, Signs Express (Grantham)
Who We’re Looking For
You might be:
- A business savvy, hands-on manager with no industry experience but have the desire, drive and ambition to take a business to the next level
- An experienced sign maker or production lead with ambitions to run your own centre
- An independent signage business owner ready to rebrand and grow with the backing of a national network
- Strong relationship-building & sales skills
- Drive, ambition and creativity
- A consultative approach and customer-first mindset
Investment Information
- Franchise Fee: £8,500 (resale or rebrand) or £25,000 (start-up)
- Total Investment: Varies – we work with third-party funders including HSBC
- Liquid Capital Required: Typically, 30% of total investment
Start Your Signs Express Journey Today
Ready to take your business to the next level — or launch something brand new — with the UK’s leading signage franchise?
Click ‘Enquire Now’ to receive our full Franchise Prospectus and learn how we’ll support you every step of the way.
Current Resale Opportunities include:
- Signs Express (South Central England)
- Signs Express (Dartford)
- Signs Express (Harlow)
Current Locations Available for Start-Ups, Rebrands and Conversions include
- Ashford
- Bournemouth
- Brighton
- Canterbury
- Chester
- Crawley
- Croydon
- Dorking
- Eastbourne
- Edinburgh
- Harrogate
- Stoke
- Tunbridge
- Warrington
- Watford
- Worthing
- Franchise Fee: £8,500
- Minimum Investment: £215,000
- Minimum Liquid Capital: £65,000
- Potential Turnover: £750,000+
- Projected EBITDA: 20%
From Strength to Strength: Signs Express (Liverpool & Wirral) Showcases the Power of Franchising
At Signs Express, our centres thrive on innovation, customer focus and local leadership, and the success story unfolding in Liverpool & Wirral is a shining example of how new franchisees can take a well-established business and drive it forward with fresh energy and ideas.
When local entrepreneurs Ian Furlong and Louise Sergent acquired Signs Express (Liverpool & Wirral) in December 2024, they saw not just a business, but an opportunity to invest in a future full of potential. Within just six months, their passion and vision has reinvigorated the centre, leading to a transformative journey that highlights the true potential of being part of the Signs Express franchise network.
A Business with Legacy, Energy and Vision
Building on the firm foundations laid by the previous owners over a span of 25+ years, Ian and Louise inherited more than just a business, they took on a reputation for quality and a loyal customer base. With a dedicated centre manager and skilled team in place, they were able to hit the ground running.
Their first months have been a steep but rewarding learning curve. Juggling their existing pest control business alongside their new signage venture, Ian and Louise embraced the support structure offered by Signs Express while bringing their own entrepreneurial flair to the table.
The result? A centre buzzing with motivation, fresh branding and state-of-the-art equipment, all underpinned by a shared commitment to exceptional customer service. Every decision is guided by the same principle: putting the customer first and delivering truly bespoke signage solutions.
Growth-Focused and Future-Ready
Recognising the importance of investing in both people and equipment, Ian and Louise have expanded their team with two new hires, empowered individuals across the centre and enrolled staff in specialist training courses, including advanced vehicle wrapping.
They’ve also made strategic investments in the very latest technology. After visiting the impressive HP Graphics Experience Centre in Barcelona, they became the first business in the UK to install the HP Latex R530 all-in-one flatbed printer, offering outstanding versatility and quality, from rigid signage to décor and window graphics.
Alongside this, the centre is now equipped with an HP Latex 800W printer, HP laser cutter, CWT application table and tools for specialist paint protection film (PPF) wrapping, dramatically expanding their capabilities and product offering.
Committed to Sustainability
Ian and Louise are not only focused on business growth, they’re equally committed to sustainability. All HP Latex printers use water-based inks, dramatically reducing environmental impact compared to traditional solvent alternatives. Their in-centre sustainability policy also includes paperless processes, responsible recycling of inks and packaging with Planet Partners, and continuous efforts to reduce waste.
A Growing Customer Base and Local Impact
The investment is already paying off. In addition to continuing to serve long-standing customers, the Liverpool & Wirral centre is attracting high-profile new clients such as Cammell Laird, Mersey Travel, Aircamo, Envases Liverpool Ltd, and K Sweep, demonstrating how technology, service and local focus can deliver big wins.
Why Franchise with Signs Express?
Ian and Louise’s story is just one of many examples of how our franchisees are supported to succeed, grow and innovate. With over 60 locations across the UK and Ireland, Signs Express offers a proven business model, national brand recognition, central support services and a collaborative network of likeminded business owners.
Whether you’re new to business or looking for a fresh challenge, Signs Express offers an exciting, scalable opportunity in a growing sector, with the backing of a trusted franchise network.
Inspired by Ian and Louise’s journey?
If you’re ready to take the next step and run your own rewarding business with the support of a nationally recognised brand, we’d love to hear from you, so get in touch today!
I would definitely recommend franchising to those who wish to own a business with large potential. It’s been a fantastic way to grow my opportunities whilst knowing I have all the support, guidance and reassurance just a phone call away.
Signs Express’ dedicated support team ensure I look at the facts and figures giving me advice on the next steps to take. It’s important to keep looking at the bigger picture in order to keep on track with the growth I want for the business. I have a very exciting future ahead of me.
