FASTSIGNS
Corporate brand
UnclaimedFASTSIGNS is a franchised provider of custom signs, graphics, and related visual-communications products.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
FASTSIGNS is the consumer-facing brand of Fastsigns International Inc., a franchisor whose centers provide customized signs, graphics, and other visual-communications products for business and organizational customers. The company was founded in Austin, Texas, in 1985 by Gary Salomon and Bob Schanbaum. Its model combined locally operated service centers with a common brand and franchisor support structure, allowing customers to obtain custom visual materials while giving franchisees access to a recognized identity and an established operating system. The business began franchising soon after its creation. The first FASTSIGNS franchise was sold in December 1986, and the company sold its first international franchise in 1991. This established the central pattern of the brand's development: expansion through independently operated centers rather than through a wholly company-owned retail network. The centers serve commercial, institutional, and other organizational customers that require branded environmental graphics, signs, displays, and related printed or fabricated materials. FASTSIGNS has operated internationally in a number of markets. The reference record identifies locations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Chile, and Australia, where centers operate under the Signwave name. The company also formerly operated in Brazil and Argentina; it withdrew from Brazil in 1996 and no longer operates in either country. The cited reference describes the network as having more than 780 locations worldwide, although the material does not provide a precise date for that count. Ownership changed during the brand's growth. Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private-equity firm, acquired the company in October 2003. In 2009, Catherine Monson, formerly president of PIP Printing, became FASTSIGNS chief executive. In July 2014, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, a Beverly Hills-based investment firm, acquired FASTSIGNS. The available reference does not identify the current owner, current chief executive, or a later ownership transaction, so those fields remain unspecified here. FASTSIGNS is best understood as a business-services and visual-communications franchise brand rather than as a single standardized consumer product line. Its value proposition rests on localized project consultation, custom production, and installation or fulfillment through a distributed center network. The brand's history has also been used as a business case: its creation and growth were profiled in a case study in the textbook Managing: A Competency-Based Approach. Available source material does not document a specific advertising campaign, major product recall, public scandal, or detailed financial performance, so those areas are not expanded beyond the documented corporate milestones.
History
FASTSIGNS began in Austin, Texas, in 1985, founded by Gary Salomon and Bob Schanbaum. From its beginning, the company developed as a branded network for custom signs and graphics rather than as a manufacturer selling one standardized product. Its centers provided customized visual-communications work for businesses and other organizations, while the franchisor supplied the brand framework and supported the expansion of independently operated locations. The first franchise was sold in December 1986, shortly after the company was established. Franchising became the principal mechanism through which the brand expanded across the United States and later into overseas markets. The first international franchise was sold in 1991. Over time, FASTSIGNS developed a presence in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Chile. In Australia, centers operated under the Signwave name. The company also had operations in Brazil and Argentina at an earlier stage; it withdrew from Brazil in 1996 and no longer operates in either of those countries. The brand's growth attracted private-equity ownership. Roark Capital Group, based in Atlanta, acquired Fastsigns International Inc. in October 2003. In 2009, Catherine Monson, who had previously been president of PIP Printing, was named FASTSIGNS chief executive. Her appointment marked a leadership transition during a period when the franchise network continued to develop internationally. In July 2014, the company was acquired by Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, a Beverly Hills-based investment firm. The supplied reference does not provide later ownership information or identify a current chief executive. The FASTSIGNS network is described in the reference material as having more than 780 locations worldwide. The centers' work encompasses custom signs, graphics, displays, and related visual-communications products, positioning the brand as a business-to-business service provider with local production and customer service capabilities. Rather than relying on a narrow catalog, the network's offer is project-based and can be tailored to a customer's site, brand identity, and communication requirements. FASTSIGNS's creation and expansion were also examined in a case study in the textbook Managing: A Competency-Based Approach. The available material does not supply a detailed account of individual product launches, advertising campaigns, financial results, litigation, recalls, or regulatory controversies. Accordingly, the documented history centers on the company's founding, franchise-led expansion, international market changes, leadership, and ownership transactions.
- 2014
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners acquisition
[1]Levine Leichtman Capital Partners acquired FASTSIGNS in July 2014.
- 2009
Catherine Monson named chief executive
[1]Catherine Monson, formerly president of PIP Printing, became FASTSIGNS chief executive.
- 2003
Roark Capital acquisition
[1]Roark Capital Group acquired Fastsigns in October 2003.
- 1996
Withdrawal from Brazil
[1]The company withdrew from Brazil, one of the markets in which it had previously operated.
- 1991
First international franchise sold
[1]FASTSIGNS sold its first international franchise, beginning the brand's documented overseas expansion.
- 1986
First franchise sold
[1]The first FASTSIGNS franchise was sold in December 1986, formalizing the franchise-based expansion model.
- 1985
FASTSIGNS is founded in Austin
[1]Gary Salomon and Bob Schanbaum founded the company in Austin, Texas, establishing the business that became Fastsigns International Inc.
Products and positioning
A franchised, locally delivered business-services network focused on custom signage, graphics, displays, and visual communications for commercial and organizational customers.
Signage
Custom signs
Custom signs are a core FASTSIGNS offering. Local centers produce sign projects tailored to a customer's business, organization, location, and visual identity. The available reference identifies custom signs as part of the network's central service scope but does not provide a detailed catalog of materials, formats, or production specifications.
Graphics and displays
Graphics and displays
FASTSIGNS centers provide customized graphics and display materials as part of broader visual-communications services. These projects can support business identification, promotional communication, and branded spaces. The supplied source does not specify individual product names or standardized packages.
Business services
Visual-communications solutions
The brand's broader offering consists of project-based visual-communications work delivered through franchised centers. This service orientation distinguishes FASTSIGNS from a narrow product manufacturer: customers engage local centers for customized signs, graphics, and related materials rather than a single uniform item.
Brand decisions
2014
Acquisition by Levine Leichtman Capital PartnersM&ABackground
FASTSIGNS was operating as an established international franchisor with centers in several countries.
Action taken
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners acquired FASTSIGNS in July 2014.
Aftermath
The brand remained an active franchised provider of signs and graphics. The available source does not identify subsequent ownership or financial outcomes.
2003
Acquisition by Roark Capital GroupM&ABackground
Fastsigns pursued continued growth as a franchised custom-sign and graphics network.
Action taken
Roark Capital Group acquired the company in October 2003.
Aftermath
FASTSIGNS continued operating as a franchised international network; the supplied material does not provide transaction terms or detailed post-acquisition results.
1986
Adoption of franchise-led expansionStrategyBackground
After the company was founded, FASTSIGNS expanded through independently operated franchise centers. The first franchise was sold in December 1986.
Action taken
The company used franchising as its principal network-development model for delivering custom signage and graphics under a common brand.
Aftermath
The model supported subsequent domestic and international expansion, including the first international franchise in 1991 and a network later described as exceeding 780 locations worldwide.
Recent events
FASTSIGNS partners with Ultravision LED Solutions[2]
FASTSIGNS announced a partnership with Ultravision LED Solutions to bring rental LED digital displays to FASTSIGNS customers.
Reported
FASTSIGNS parent acquires NerdsToGo parent company[3]
Fastsigns Holdings Inc., the parent company of FASTSIGNS International, announced that it acquired GTN Capital Group, the parent company of the NerdsToGo franchise brand. NerdsToGo CEO and founder David Colella will remain as brand president.
FASTSIGNS announces a $35,000 franchise-fee promotion[4]
FASTSIGNS announced a $35,000 franchise fee for qualified U.S. franchisees, a stated saving of $14,750. The limited-time offer applies to new, co-branded, and conversion centers through April 30, 2020.
Sources4 sources
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