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 get-go.
Interested in owning a business with long-term demand and a recognised brand behind you? Let’s start the conversation.
“Nearly 25 years in, and I still love the industry and business... seeing the work our team has produced in and around the city gives me an enormous sense of pride.” - Richard Howes, Signs Express (Lincoln)
Why Join Signs Express?
- UK’s #1 signs and graphics franchise
- £750,000+ turnover potential
- Up to 20%+ EBITDA potential
- Four flexible routes to ownership
- Monday–Friday working hours
- Exclusive territories with growth potential
- National accounts and collective buying power
- Award-winning franchise network
- BFA & HSBC 2024 Business Transformation Award)
- Full training, mentoring and ongoing operational support provided
Is the Signage Industry a good Investment?
Quite simply, yes. Signage is everywhere.
The UK signage market presents a strong investment opportunity due to its consistent demand across virtually all sectors, including retail, construction, education, healthcare, and transport.
Want to know what the opportunity looks like in your area?
We can talk you through available territories and the best entry route for you.
“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 & Southport)
Explore our Routes to Ownership
Signs Express offers four flexible entry models, allowing you to join the network in a way that suits your experience, investment level and ambitions.
Not sure which route fits you best? We’ll help you explore your options.
Resale: Purchase an established Signs Express centre with an existing customer base, team, equipment and revenue already in place.
Ideal if you're looking for a proven business with immediate trading history.
Start-Up: Launch a new Signs Express centre in an available territory with structured onboarding, marketing support and a proven operational framework.
Perfect for ambitious individuals ready to build a business from the ground up.
Rebrand: For established independent signage businesses, the Rebrand model provides the opportunity to transition into the Signs Express network while gaining access to national marketing, an established brand, structured systems, supplier discounts and ongoing business support.
Already operating in signage and ready to scale? This could be your next step.
Conversion: If a resale is not available in your preferred territory, Signs Express can support you in sourcing and acquiring an independent signage business and converting it into a fully operational Signs Express centre upon completion
Want to secure the right location? Ask us about conversion opportunities.
Alternatively, for existing signage business owners looking to sell – let us help and sell your business for you.
“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.” - Ian Charles, Signs Express (Grantham)
Your Role as Franchisee
As a Signs Express franchisee, your role is to lead and grow your business by building strong client relationships, managing a production team, driving sales, and delivering consultative and creative signage solutions across sectors including retail, education, healthcare and construction.
If you enjoy relationship-building, creativity, business development and leading a team, this could be an ideal opportunity.
Investment Overview
- Franchise fee from £8,500
- Typically, 30% liquid capital required
- Finance support available
- Ongoing fees: 7.5% MSC & 1.5% NPF
Want a clearer breakdown of investment levels and typical funding routes? We’re happy to talk it through.
“The business has been heading in a great direction, and joining the Hub & Spoke (expansion) model was the perfect next step.” - Kris Bell, Signs Express (Aylesbury)
Take the Next Step
Ready to take your business to the next level, or launch something brand new - with the UK’s leading signage franchise? We’d love to hear from you.
With limited slots available this year, contact us now to register your interest.
It could start with a simple call, and lead to your next business move:
- Franchise Fee: £8,500
- Minimum Investment: £215,000
- Minimum Liquid Capital: £65,000
- Potential Turnover: £750,000+
- Projected EBITDA: 20%
Signs Express 2024 Awards Achievement
It has been an incredible year of recognition for Signs Express and as we approach the end of 2024 we reflect on our awards achievements over the past twelve months.
Celebrating 35 years of ‘Bringing Brands to Life’ this year and making great strides in delivering our transformational five-year strategy, we’re humbled to see the innovations, developments and hard work from our network and our Franchise Support Centre pay off. Being recognised for our achievements amongst our peers within our creative industry and within the franchising sector, is an incredible feeling and we’re hugely grateful.
With a network of over 60 locations and a team of 20 individuals at our Franchise Support Centre, we are thrilled to see our network in the limelight and being acknowledged for the amazing talents, passion and service we deliver day in and day out.
A Year in Review: Awards 2024…
February
Kicking off the year was The Sign and Wrap Awards, focusing on our industry’s leading talent and showstopping projects. As finalists across three categories, including Best Vehicle Wrap and Best Architectural Film Project, we were over the moon to see Matt Rutlidge of Signs Express (Central Lancashire) walk away with the coveted highly commended award in the Industry Champion category after only five months of business ownership.
March
Next up were the Elite Franchise UK Top 100 Awards celebrating the very best brands in franchising. We were delighted to have been awarded the Rising Star award for the second year in a row, along with another jump up the charts to number 27!
July
July brought along a trip to the House of Lords for three special individuals, as we saw our very own Abbie Wagstaff from the Franchise Support Centre along with Tori Kendrick from Signs Express (Birmingham) and Kyle Wright from Signs Express (Central Lancashire) receiving their Rising Star Awards from The Printing Charity, recognising them as some of the top young talent in the industry.
October
Time for the much-anticipated UK Graphic Awards, the biggest night in the UK wide-format print calendar. With four centres nominated across five categories, we were completely taken-aback with Signs Express (Twickenham) being awarded the silver award in the Roll-Out category, Kyle Wright from Signs Express (Central Lancashire) highly commended in the Rising Star category and José Ferreira and the team at Signs Express (Southampton) scooping the gold award for the Branded Interiors category. The room was filled with an enormous amount of talent and some very tough competition, so we were beyond thrilled to see our teams be recognised!
November
Then came the BFA HSBC British Franchise Awards 2024, the most prestigious awards in UK franchising where we were finalists across two categories. Still smiling from ear to ear from the news, we were overwhelmed to walk away victorious with a win in the Franchisor Business Transformation category! This was a hugely special award for us as a franchisor, as it was a culmination of all the work undertaken over the past couple of years to build relationships and connections across our network, develop and implement new systems, refine our business model and find new ways to share best practices.
Lastly, as a new award emerges within the industry, we end the year on a high, as we see five of our centres nominated across nine categories for the inaugural Sign Industry Awards which will be announced in February 2025!
It’s fair to say it’s been quite a year for us at Signs Express and with time to reflect on our collective achievements, we feel immensely proud and honoured to celebrate such fantastic accomplishments, a real testament to the individuals and their teams across our network who make up the essence of our brand.
Thank you also goes out to our amazing customers who trust us each and every day with their creative projects. More than a logo and more than a sign, we understand that your brand is your story, your reputation and your promise to your customers, so thank you for trusting us to help bring your brands to life for the past 35 years.
Considering owning your own business in 2025?
Signs Express offers both resale and start-up franchise opportunities designed to set you up for success with full support along the way in a creative and innovative industry.
Our resale opportunities allow you to step into a successful business with an established client base, whereas our start-up options offer you the chance to build your dream franchise from the ground up with our full support.
To join our award-winning network, get in touch today to find out more!
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.
