Signs Express is actively seeking new franchise owners to aid its UK expansion and will be featuring at the British Franchise Exhibition taking place at Manchester's G-Mex exhibition centre today and tomorrow.

As one of the UK's largest sign companies, Signs Express saw several new franchise owners join last year and also witnessed group turnover reach its highest in the past three years, as well as existing franchise owners celebrating their own milestones.

A number of long standing centre owners have exceeded £5 million invoiced sales, including father and son team Geoff and Lee Eaton who have operated Signs Express (South Manchester) since 1997. The centre has received numerous awards for its specialist sign making skills and customer service, and due to demand now has a team of 12 serving the South Manchester area including Trafford Park, Sale and Salford.

Growth within the network has also been a talking point, with individual franchise turnover on the increase and a number of established centres turning over £1 million a year. As work load increases some centre owners have also moved to a new premises to expand their capacity to meet demand; this has included a number of franchise owners opting to purchase their own industrial units as an extra revenue stream for future financial planning. Signs Express (Warrington), along with another eight centres which have recently expanded by moving to new premises, is the latest addition to out grow its unit and move to much larger premises.

Signs Express Sales and Marketing Director, Tony Marsh, commented on the past three years: "It has been tough for a number of businesses but we have been one of the lucky ones. Being part of a stable market sector has been a huge benefit; after all every business will need signs at some point or another. But it's our approach and support package along with the quality of franchise owners which has seen us through the tougher times. By applying strategic marketing and sales plans along with a learner business approach through addressing every day running and staffing costs, franchise owners have been able to cut costs and increase their revenue stream."

Published: 11 June 2010

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