Are you looking for the next step in your career? Is now the time to work for yourself rather than contributing to someone else’s bottom line? Are you looking for a positive work-life balance whilst running your own business?
Our current resales include:
- Signs Express (Dartford)
- Signs Express (Central England)
- Signs Express (Harlow)
- Signs Express (Macclesfield)
Being your own boss isn’t a career choice, it’s a lifestyle choice… So, turn your career into a lifestyle today with Signs Express:
- Become part of the UK’s largest signs and graphics network
- Creative, high profit industry with 20% EBITDA potential
- Be your own boss and operate in your own territory
- Opportunity to achieve £750,000 turnover and beyond
- Monday – Friday working hours
- Full training and support provided
- Established, respected brand with over 35 years of experience
- Expansion potential
- UK wide network support and UK based Franchise Support Centre
- Innovative industry where no two days are the same
Why Choose Signs Express?
Offering bespoke signage and graphics solutions to customers large and small we offer room for creativity and innovation working with a consultative approach, offering anything from exterior building graphics, illuminated signage, digital signage, vehicle graphics, exhibition and displays, window graphics, bespoke wallpaper, health and safety signage, eco-products and much more.
Established for 35 years, Signs Express is dedicated to delivering our customers' innovative signs and graphics solutions. We interpret our customers visions and advise on the best visual solutions to bring their brands to life. In an ever-growing industry, our forward-thinking strategy combined with our national coverage and local approach allows us to offer our clients the most effective solutions.
Each and every business needs signage or graphics whether it's to attract customers, engage or inspire employees, health and safety notices or to simply inform, we’re here to support our clients bring their brands to life. Due to the variety of industries we service and the huge range we offer, the signage industry can be viewed as recession proof as every situation presents opportunities.
Extensive Training Programme: Setting you up for Success
With a commitment to help you grow your business and achieve your goals, we offer extensive training and support to our franchisees to ensure you are set up for success. Throughout your Signs Express career, we offer:
- Comprehensive onboarding programme for all new franchisees including classroom learning and hands-on training
- Business Coaching and Mentoring
- Ongoing training for existing franchisees and their teams via our custom-built Learning Management Platform
- Live training sessions from our company owned flagship centre in Twickenham
- Business Health Checks ensuring best practice
- Dedicated Franchise Support Centre and centre visits, offering support and training to our network across all disciplines including finance, IT, local and national marketing, operational, recruitment, business planning and sales
- Social media training
- Exit planning and realising your resale value
- Sharing of best practice from fellow franchisees and from our supplier partners
Hear from our Franchisees:
Kris Bell, Signs Express (Aylesbury): Catching up with Kris after 12 months of ownership:
“The last year has been a whirlwind. Being quite a risk averse individual, I usually spend a lot of time weighing things up, however after the busiest 12 months of my career, I’ve definitely had to adapt the way I work, along with my overall business approach and I’ve learnt a lot about myself for sure, along with help and support from the Franchise Support Centre offering guidance and support each step of the way.
I’ve loved every minute of it (despite the challenges) and I’ve met some fantastic individuals in local businesses and built some great relationships with our customers along the way. I’m really pleased with where the business has been heading and the progress we’ve made as a team, so I felt ready for the next step in my Signs Express journey by venturing into the new hub and spoke model.”
Matt Rutlidge, Signs Express (Central Lancashire): Speaking with Matt as he moves into ownership:
“After 14 years with Signs Express and working as Centre Manager for the past four years, I am thrilled to announce that I am now the proud owner of Signs Express (Central Lancashire), serving the local areas of Preston, Blackpool and Blackburn. I’m fortunate enough to have fantastic relationships with the majority of our customers and suppliers already, however I’m excited to spend the coming weeks and months reaching out and speaking with many more local businesses to see how we can work together.
I’m extremely passionate about what I do and with a dedicated, experienced team around me, we’re excited to see where we can take the business and continue to explore and push the boundaries of what we can create for our local communities and beyond.”
Roy Heeley and John McEntee, Signs Express (Liverpool & Wirral): Discuss what they enjoy most about working in the signage industry:
“Having started the business from scratch many years ago, we are still learning 20 years later! We thrive when working in a creative environment offering a varied and diverse approach to our customers means every day is different. We’re both sociable individuals and enjoy getting out and about meeting new customers. Building relationships is key to the success of the business, leading to repeat business, a solid reputation and word of mouth recommendations. Many of our good friends started off as customers and it’s great that they’ve been on the journey with us.
Work life balance is also essential, our Monday-Friday working days have allowed us to spend time with our friends and family whilst enjoying the benefits of running our own business. Undoubtedly the support from our fellow franchisees along with support from the franchise support centre has been integral to our success.”
Who are we looking for?
Full support and training is provided throughout your Signs Express career, therefore no industry experience is required.
We are looking for two types of franchisees:
- Business savvy, hands-on managers with no industry experience but have the desire, drive and ambition to take a business to the next level.
- Career driven sign makers and production managers that are experienced in the industry with ambitions to own and grow their own business with our support.
Our ideal franchisee will be extremely personable with the ability to build relationships, act consultatively to help build solutions, they will be driven, ambitious, a good all-rounder, creative and not afraid of hard work.
‘A Day in the Life of a Franchisee’
As a centre owner no two days will be the same, you’ll be the key relationship manager for your customers, you’ll be the face of the business, the driving force for innovation, you’ll work in a consultative manner and be the voice of authority in your field, offering bespoke solutions to your customers, all delivered with outstanding customer care.
Investment and Funding:
- Franchise Fee of £8,500 for a resale purchase or £25,000 for a start-up opportunity
- Investment levels vary for our resale opportunities depending on the size of the business. Current opportunities range from £99,950 to £250,000.
- A total investment of £215,000 is required for a start-up opportunity.
- At Signs Express we can support you with funding via our 3rd party financial partners such as HSBC.
- Typically, 30% of the asking price is required in liquid capital, however we will work with you to look at different funding approaches if required.
Please get in touch today to find out more!
- Franchise Fee: £25,000
- Minimum Investment: £215,000
- Minimum Liquid Capital: £65,000
Signs Express Convention 2025: A Celebration of Innovation, Growth and Excellence
The Signs Express Convention 2025 held on Friday 24th January brought together over 150 attendees for a dynamic and inspiring event at the stunning De Vere Wokefield Estate in Reading.
This annual event provided an invaluable platform for networking, learning, sharing of best practice and celebrating the outstanding achievements of the Signs Express network.
With over 20 key suppliers and industry partners in attendance, the convention offered a packed agenda filled with insightful seminars, product launches and expert discussions on the latest developments shaping the signage industry.
Inspiring Seminars and Industry Insights
Attendees had the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge from industry experts, a strategic update from Signs Express Limited Managing Director Jonathan Bean and Network Development Director Aaron Davis, plus keynote speakers, covering a range of topics designed to help businesses grow and adapt in an evolving market:
- Jonathan Bean (Managing Director) and Aaron Davis (Network Development Director) led us through the market changes impacting our business and the strategic plans to drive growth and innovation throughout 2025 and beyond.
- Grace Appleby from Yawn Marketing delivered an engaging seminar on Building Your Personal Brand online, providing actionable insights on leveraging digital platforms for business success.
- Stuart Coomber, Head of Sales at the Signs Express Franchise Support Centre, presented an in-depth session on Sales Analysis and Understanding Where Your Business Comes From, equipping attendees with valuable strategies to drive sales performance.
- Jack Thompson from Brandfixx introduced an exciting new modular vehicle wrap solution, for Signs Express customers that opens up fresh opportunities in vehicle branding.
- Kevin Aires from Cadenz, the convention’s external keynote speaker, delivered a powerful session on the Impact of Video for social media, highlighting the growing importance of video content in digital marketing.
Adding to the knowledge-sharing experience, Head of Marketing Damien Berry led insightful fireside marketing chats, discussing the key marketing developments for 2025 and providing attendees with a forward-thinking approach to brand growth and visibility.
A Night of Celebration: The Gala Dinner & Awards
The convention concluded with a glitzy black-tie gala dinner and awards ceremony, celebrating the remarkable talent, dedication and achievements within the Signs Express network over the past 12 months. From recognising outstanding customer service to innovation in signage solutions, the awards showcased the best in the business.
Signs Express Awards 2025 – Winners List:
🏆 Training & Development Award – Kim & Dave Nurse, Signs Express (Leeds)
🏆 One to Watch Award – Pat Ginty, Signs Express (Mullingar & Dublin)
🏆 Social Media Champion Award – Matt Rutlidge, Signs Express (Central Lancashire & Southport)
🏆 Sustainability Award (Sponsored by Metamark) – Signs Express (Southampton)
🏆 Best Interior Sign Award (Sponsored by The Printing Charity) – Signs Express (Sheffield & Rotherham)
🏆 Best Exterior Sign Award (Sponsored by The British Signs & Graphics Association) – Signs Express (Manchester)
🏆 Best Sign Project Award (Sponsored by Amari Plastics) – Signs Express (Belfast)
🏆 Most Striking Design Award (Sponsored by Ultima Displays) – Signs Express (Belfast)
🏆 Best Vehicle Graphics Award (Sponsored by Spandex) – Signs Express (Lincoln)
🏆 Supplier of the Year Award – Super-Wide Digital
🏆 Employee of the Year Award (Sponsored by SignElite) – Mark Wheeler, Production & Installation Manager, Signs Express (Southampton & Winchester)
🏆 Network Champion Award (Sponsored by Sedo & Epson) – José Ferreira, Centre Manager, Signs Express (Southampton & Winchester)
🏆 Newcomer of the Year Award (Sponsored by Premier) – Matt Rutlidge, Signs Express (Central Lancashire & Southport)
🏆 Franchisee of the Year Award (Sponsored by ACR Signs) – Matt Rutlidge, Signs Express (Central Lancashire & Southport)
The event was a true celebration reinforcing the strength and community of the Signs Express network. From innovative new services to sustainable initiatives, the convention highlighted the dedication of franchisees and employees in driving the brand forward.
Hearing from Signs Express Managing Director, Jonathan Bean, “The Signs Express 2025 Convention was a true testament to the strength and ambition of our network. From inspirational seminars to engaging conversations that sparked new ideas, the energy and positivity in the room was fantastic. Seeing our franchisees, their senior team members and industry partners, come together to share knowledge, celebrate achievements and drive innovation was truly inspiring.
I could not be prouder of what has been achieved in 2024, and this event really reinforced our ongoing commitment to growth, collaboration and excellence and demonstrates that together, we’re shaping the future of Signs Express. My sincere thanks and appreciation go to our network, my Franchise Support Centre team, our supplier and industry partners and of course our customers. We look forward to seeing what 2025 brings!”
Why Join Signs Express?
As the UK’s leading signage and graphics franchise, Signs Express provides an unparalleled business opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter a thriving industry. Franchisees benefit from a proven business model, access to industry-leading suppliers and the support of a well-established brand with 35 years of experience. With comprehensive training, ongoing marketing assistance and a collaborative network of like-minded professionals, Signs Express franchisees are equipped with everything they need to succeed. Whether you're an experienced business owner or looking for a new venture, Signs Express offers a rewarding and profitable opportunity in the ever-growing signage sector. For more information, 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.
