As we near the end of 2022, it’s been an exciting year for Signs Express, launching a new five-year strategy, releasing an alternative forward-thinking business model, completing three sales, renewing nine Franchise Agreements, acquiring a company owned centre, introducing a new local marketing initiative and recruiting some exceptionally talented people to expand the Franchise Support Team!
Established for more than 30 years, and with over 60 centres, Signs Express continues to be the largest signs and graphics business in the UK and Ireland. Outlining their mission and unique offering, Signs Express Network Development Director Aaron Davis said, “We want to positively enhance every business in the UK and Ireland, delivering trusted, high quality, bespoke signage & graphics that inspire and engage, through exceptional service tailored to customer business needs.”
Launching a new forward-thinking strategy for 2022, Signs Express outlined their five ‘strategic pillars’ of focus:
Build and connect: Continue to build strong relationships and trust through exceptional support and connecting both personally and professionally across the network via an extensive events programme, devised with franchisees in mind.
Speaking to Managing Director, Jonathan Bean regarding their busy events schedule, “We have had a fantastic year connecting with our franchisees again, being able to go back to face-to-face events has lifted the whole network and created some new relationships and strengthened others. We are looking forward to another busy year next year with a new range of activities!”
Best practice: Double down on current capabilities, ensuring we are the best at what we currently do, through a superior consultative service, increased value for money, improved customer communication and faster response times.
Jonathan continues, “Although it may sound simple, focussing on what we do to the absolute best of our abilities is our core strength. Our customer service, quality and craftmanship along with our bespoke solutions is what we are known for, so it is important our standards remain as high as ever.”
System replacement: New enterprise-wide systems to drive consistency, efficiency and customer experience/communication.
Online tools, portal and journey offering: Online tools and capabilities for customers to engage and interact via an online journey should they choose to.
Recently joining the Franchise Support Centre, Business Transformation Projects Lead, Dan Connelly talks about the businesses investments into systems and new technology, “In order to improve efficiencies for our franchisees we are delighted to be investing in a number of new systems over the next 12 months, including a new Management Information System. This will allow us to improve the customer’s experience and create new, improved ways of working by supporting a customer enquiry all the way through to install, completion and invoicing.”
Expansion: Expansion via competitor acquisition and a hub and spoke operating model where one production hub services several satellite sales offices/territories.
Discussing the new model, Aaron Davis explains, “As a franchisor, innovation is hugely important to us, and to ensure we have a sustainable model for the future. We’re very excited to be able to introduce our new Hub and Spoke model for our franchisees which will see centres expanding their reach and footprint by servicing multiple satellite sales offices from one production hub creating more local points of presence but driving sales and efficiencies with lower overheads. Our key aim is to increase franchisee profitability and create new ambitious business opportunities.”
At the end of 2021, Signs Express Limited decided to purchase a company owned centre in Twickenham and have been devoted to driving its sales and profitability through best practice. After just a year of ownership, and with a fantastic team in place, Signs Express (Twickenham) sales are up by a huge 73% and with plans underway to purchase its first ‘spoke’ in early 2023 the success is set to continue.
With a number of ambitious franchisees looking at different ways to expand and drive their businesses forward, Signs Express already have a number of successful centres operating the hub and spoke model. Alongside this, Signs Express are seeing the nature of their franchise enquiries change. Enquiries from those looking to join the network have a drive and forward-thinking attitude and are wanting to know the expansion potential before they even start!
Overall, it has been a momentous year and the future’s looking exciting for Signs Express!
Signs Express are looking for driven, ambitious individuals to join their award-winning network in 2023. If this sounds like the opportunity for you, why not get in touch to find out more?
Contact Franchise Recruitment Manager, Emma Wakefield via email, or call 0800 731 2255.
For more information about Signs Express’ strategy and developments, visit their website today and check out the news pages: https:/franchise.signsexpress.co.uk/
