SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – AlphaGraphics, Inc., a global leader in print and marketing communications solutions, today announced its listing as one of the nation’s top franchisors as ranked by Entrepreneur magazine.

The Entrepreneur Annual “Franchise 500” released this week ranked AlphaGraphics at number 210 – up 234 slots from its previous position in 2016 – on a list of companies recognized “for their exceptional performance in areas such as unit growth, financial stability and brand power.”

“I am very proud of this recognition by Entrepreneur that acknowledges our growth and brand strength, and the innovative work of our franchisees as they serve their customers,” said AlphaGraphics President Aaron Grohs.  “Through the adoption of new technologies and operational excellence, we are proving to our customers and the market every day that AlphaGraphics remains at the forefront of an exciting and dynamic industry.”

In recognizing AlphaGraphics, Editor in Chief Jason Feifer wrote that “franchising is ever-evolving and must smartly react to new technologies and consumer demands. We know it takes a lot to stay competitive, and are excited to celebrate those that do it the best.”  Reflecting technology “upheavals” experienced by franchises in the past decade, Entrepreneur’s ranking in 2017 looked beyond traditional metrics like unit growth, investment cost and brand stability to include other important data points.

“For instance, the amount of internal support provided to franchisees can be the difference between mediocre sales and great units,” wrote Entrepreneur’s Jason Daly. “The length of training, help with negotiating leases and guidance in finding financing are all indicators of a strong system. Brand awareness and social media scores can measure which brands consumers are engaging with and which are reaching out to new demographics. All of that, along with financial data, helps determine which brands are strongest and which may offer the best opportunities for interested franchisees.”

“We are honored to spotlight your company as one of the year’s top franchises,” added Feifer, who notified AlphaGraphics of the company’s ranking on January 5. “Franchise brands across the spectrum are getting stronger as they use new data, customer information and technology to make their systems lean, mean and profitable.”

“That certainly describes AlphaGraphics,” said Grohs. “We will continue to make investments that maintain our position as an industry leader and dedicated partner in the success of our customers around the world.”