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 2026 Convention Showcases Network Strength and Signals Franchise Growth Ambitions
Signs Express brought its nationwide network together at the magical Alton Towers Resort on Friday 16 January for its 2026 Convention, celebrating a strong year of performance, recognising outstanding achievement, and setting a clear, ambitious direction for the future of the brand.
With 42 centres represented on the day, 25 exhibitors supporting the event and more than 150 attendees, the convention demonstrated the scale, passion for the industry and collective commitment of the Signs Express network. The day provided an opportunity to reflect on the successes of 2025 while reinforcing the brand’s confidence and long-term growth ambitions.
Celebrating performance and resilience
The morning plenary focused on celebrating success across the network, recognising strong sales growth across multiple centres, promotions within franchise groups, notable sales office performances, and welcoming new franchisees into the Signs Express family. Despite a challenging economic backdrop, the network demonstrated resilience throughout 2025, with positive momentum building in the second half of the year.
A key update focused on Signs Express’ evolving brand marketing strategy, with a shift towards a more content-led, brand-driven approach centred on storytelling and video. This delivered strong results in 2025, including increased visibility and engagement and a year-on-year uplift of enquiries. The results reinforced confidence in the marketing direction and highlighted the important role local centres play in amplifying the national brand.
A franchise model built for the future
Franchise recruitment and long-term sustainability were key themes of the day. Despite being an established brand with over 60 locations across the UK and Ireland, the convention highlighted that Signs Express businesses remain highly attractive and saleable, with multiple new franchisees welcomed during 2025. This was supported by strong demand for resales, their first successful rebrand, franchise renewals, and continued new franchisee onboarding.
The introduction of new rebrand and conversion models further demonstrated how the franchise is futureproofing network growth, while collaboration across the network was emphasised as a critical factor in maintaining momentum and protecting long-term value.
Looking ahead, four strategic priorities for 2026 were outlined: expansion through new franchise models, enquiry growth driven by targeted growth campaigns, continued systemisation through the rollout of leading system CoreBridge, and the use of data-driven insight to support better business decisions.
The continued rollout of CoreBridge was positioned as the network’s single largest investment for the year, with a further twelve centres scheduled to onboard by the end of 2026. More than a system replacement, CoreBridge underpins future initiatives across automation, training, digital tools, and data insights. Alongside the newly developed Insight Portal, it will provide a significant competitive advantage through improved benchmarking and performance analysis.
Insight-led discussion and supplier collaboration
The convention featured three expert-led panel sessions covering laser cutting, sustainability, and outsourcing versus in-house production. Each session focused on practical, commercial decision-making and featured a mix of industry experts and experienced Signs Express franchisees, reinforcing the strength of knowledge and collaboration within the network.
Enhanced exhibitor engagement ran throughout the day, including quick-fire introductions, meaningful networking opportunities, and expert discussion, before concluding with the Signs Express Gala Dinner and Awards.
Recognising excellence and giving back
The evening celebrated outstanding achievement across the network, with awards recognising excellence in sustainability, design, signage projects, vehicle graphics, supplier partnerships, and individual and team performance. The event also raised £1,630 for Annabelle’s Challenge, supporting vital research and awareness for Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
Looking ahead
As the convention closed, Signs Express reaffirmed its commitment to continued growth, improved profitability, and long-term success across the network. With a proven business model, strong marketing support, ongoing investment in systems and data, and a collaborative culture, Signs Express is actively looking for talented, driven individuals to join the franchise network throughout the year.
For those seeking to build a scalable, supported business within a well-established brand, the Signs Express 2026 Convention demonstrated why the network continues to go from strength to strength, and why now is an exciting time to become part of it.
For more information, please get in touch with Head of Franchise Recruitment, Emma Wakefield – we’d love to hear from you.
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.
