CARROLLTON, Texas - FASTSIGNS International, Inc., announced today it is seeking to expand in the Midwest with emphasis on Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. To help fuel further expansion, the fast-growing brand is a gold sponsor of the Tri-State Sign Expo Aug 11–13 in Joplin, Missouri.

FASTSIGNS International, the leader in signs, graphics and visual communications, is recruiting franchisees in Arkansas (Bentonville/Rogers, Jonesboro, Fort Smith & Sherwood), Kansas (Manhattan), Missouri (St. Louis, Branson, Joplin, Jefferson City, among others) and Oklahoma (Midwest City & Moore). The brand’s growth strategy is focused on targeting co-brand and conversion opportunities whereby print shop owners can expand their services by adding FASTSIGNS to their existing business. The company is also targeting challenged sign business owners with the opportunity to convert their business into a thriving FASTSIGNS center. The company invites candidates to visit Booth #27 to learn more about the benefits of joining the brand.

“We are excited to expand throughout the Midwest and look forward to meeting with potential franchisee candidates at the premier sign industry tradeshow in the region,” said Mark Jameson, EVP of Franchise Support and Development, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “We know how challenging it can be to establish brand recognition, which is a huge reason local business owners want to invest in our conversion program. Additionally, one-third of our co-brand franchisees have already chosen to open second and third centers, so the model is definitely helping to grow their business and add new revenue streams. We look forward to meeting other independent sign and print shop owners who want to expand and diversify in their respective space.”

FASTSIGNS’ has continued to grow through the company’s Co-Brand and Conversion programs. With franchisees coming from the print and photofinishing industries, the Co-Brand program accounted for 20 percent of the franchise agreements signed in 2015, a significant increase from prior years. Launched in 2012, the FASTSIGNS Co-Brand program offers independent business operators with print-related services the opportunity to add the FASTSIGNS brand and a full-suite of sign and visual graphic solutions, while continuing to own and operate their existing business. Getting started is quick; FASTSIGNS will help finance the franchise fee with as little as $15,000 down to begin the Co-Brand or conversion process. Co-Brand franchisees consistently report that adding a FASTSIGNS franchise to their business has added value for customers, promoting long-term growth opportunities for their businesses.

The fast-growing FASTSIGNS brand currently has over 615 centers worldwide in nine countries, but is looking to expand with additional new Co-Branded and Conversion centers. Due to the ongoing worldwide need for visual communications and digital signage technology, the company expects to open another 45 to 50 centers in 2016, as well as finalize master franchise agreements in two new countries.

The Tri-State Sign Expo, the annual tradeshow of the Tri-State Sign Association held this year at the Downstream Casino Resort in Joplin, focuses on advancing sign industry leaders in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The Tri-State Sign Association is an affiliate of the International Sign Association.