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Signs Express

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Join the UK's Leading Signs & Graphics Franchise

With over 35 years of industry expertise, 60+ locations nationwide, and a proven, profitable business model, Signs Express is the UK’s largest and most established signs and 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.
No matter which path you take, you’ll receive full support from our Franchise Support Centre and benefit from being part of a nationally recognised brand.

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
Regardless of background, you’ll need:
  • 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:

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
Signs Express Financial Data
The following financial information was provided by Signs Express to give you more information about the costs associated with a Signs Express opportunity
Start-Up Investment Costs
  • Franchise Fee: £8,500
  • Minimum Investment: £215,000
  • Minimum Liquid Capital: £65,000
  • Potential Turnover: £750,000+
  • Projected EBITDA: 20%

Legal Requirements: Buying a Business, The Process

Signs Express Image

In legal terms this process is known as a “Transaction”. There are a number of key steps that must be completed in order to protect the interests of both parties, and they can be summarised in six steps:

Step 1 - the buyer identifies a company it wants to purchase (the “Target”) and it begins exploratory talks with the seller or a seller may actively seek a buyer whether that be the management team or a third party;

Step 2 - before conversations go into too much detail, the parties will sign a non-disclosure agreement to protect the confidentiality of the Transaction;

Step 3 - the buyer begins initial due diligence to check for any obvious red flags;

Step 4 - the parties will draw up an indicative agreement. This document may also be referred to as the heads of terms or letter of intent because it sets out the terms of the Transaction that have been agreed in principle between the parties. The heads of terms will form the basis of the agreement documenting the Transaction;

Step 5 - full due diligence is conducted. This will enable the buyer to scrutinise every aspect of the Target, including, but not limited to, information about the corporate structure, any existing or historic litigation that could affect the value of the business, the financial stability of the Target, and information about its employees. The level of due diligence will depend on the type of Transaction and the buyer. If the sale is to management it may be that they know enough about the business to not need legal assistance with the due diligence.

Step 6 - contract negotiation and disclosure. The type of agreement typically entered into between the parties is a ‘share purchase agreement’ commonly known as an “SPA”. The SPA is usually drafted by the buyer’s solicitor and will include a number of statements about the Target, called warranties, that the buyer expects the seller to give. Where the seller knows that it cannot agree to a warranty, he must tell the buyer in the form of a disclosure. The warranties are important to the buyer because it will allow him to make a full and fair analysis of the Target and the Transaction.

All disclosures are collated into what is known as a ‘disclosure letter’. The seller’s solicitors will be responsible for drafting the disclosure letter as it is a key document for the seller. If a warranty is breached and the seller did not make a disclosure against it, the buyer will be entitled to bring a claim for breach of contract and seek monetary compensation. To give an example, if a warranty requires the seller to confirm that there is no active litigation being brought against the Target, and the seller knows there is an ongoing claim, the seller must disclose this to the buyer or risk a claim being made post-completion.

At this stage the buyer has the opportunity to revise his offer on the Target based on the disclosures made or pull out of the Transaction completely.

Step 7 - completion. The SPA and other documents including but not limited to the disclosure letter are signed, the purchase price is paid by the Buyer and the Transaction is now legally binding. The Buyer now owns the Target and can begin the integration phase.

Steps 1 to 4 are commonly completed by the parties before engaging a solicitor to help with the purchase. These steps are more about setting out the commercial detail and each side’s expectations.

The bulk of a solicitors work during a Transaction falls within steps 5 to 7. These steps are usually conducted concurrently in order to save time and money. The solicitors for each party will amend and negotiate the documents in the best interests of their respective client which usually results in the parties entering into reasonably balanced agreements.

Signs Express: Make an Enquiry Today!

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Signs Express is the UK’s largest signs and graphics business, offering a bespoke, creative and consultative approach to signage from a network of over 60 centres. With over 30 years’ experience and a passion for customer service we are at the forefront of the signage industry, offering an innovative approach with a forward-thinking strategy.

With franchise opportunities to join our award-winning network via established resale opportunities and prime-location start up opportunities, we offer you the chance to become your own boss and secure your financial future. If this is a business opportunity that appeals to you why not get in touch?

Legal Advice:

EMW support both buyers and sellers with Transactions and have a wealth of experience across different sectors. Their team’s approach to Transactions means they can be efficient and thorough.

If you are considering making an acquisition with Signs Express, we would encourage you to contact EMW Law for more information as they are familiar with our business, however, please feel free to use any solicitors you so wish.

Signs Express Success Stories

Celebrating 20 Years at Signs Express (Grantham)

February 10, 2025| Franchisee Success Stories
Moving into business ownership in 2004 and celebrating 20+ years at Signs Express Grantham, we recently caught up with business owner Ian Charles to discuss his career journey and how the industry has changed.

From Signmaker to Franchisee, to Network Champion!

Learn more about Richard Howes, our 2023 Network Champion and owner of Signs Express (Lincoln)

13 Years Later…

November 23, 2022
After 13 years ownership of Signs Express (Aylesbury), we talk to exiting franchisee Philip Harris about his time with Signs Express, the benefits of franchising and his plans for retirement.

Signs Express (Plymouth): 4 weeks in!

November 10, 2022
Just a few weeks into their exciting new venture, we speak to Simon and Tracy Hallett, new owners of Signs Express (Plymouth), possibly the calmest new business owners I’ve ever met!

From initial enquiry to business owner in less than six months!

September 28, 2022
We speak to Kris Bell, new owner of Signs Express Aylesbury to find out all about his journey from initial enquiry to signing on the dotted line and what advice he’d pass on to our next would-be franchisees looking for a new challenge for 2023.
Signs Express Testimonials
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.
Janiv Patel, Signs Express
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.
Craig Tiley, Signs Express (Stoke-on-Trent)
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Signs Express Gallery Image
Signs Express Gallery Image
Signs Express Gallery Image
Signs Express Gallery Image
Available Locations:
Franchises available across the UK and Ireland
Business Type:
Franchise
Minimum Investment:
£65,000
Financing Assistance
3rd Party

Prospectus

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