At FASTSIGNS, we love to celebrate the wins within our network. This year, we’ve got many reasons to celebrate.
2025 is a double birthday here at FASTSIGNS: 30 years in the UK and 40 years since the original business was founded in the US!
It’s incredible to think that what started as just a single centre founded on a great idea and a fresh perspective on the industry has now grown to nearly 800 locations, in 9 countries. We’re so privileged to have been able to share our success, using it as a foundation to empower so many others to grow their own successful businesses.
We’ve seen many things over those 30 years in the UK. 1995 was the same year Friends first hit the screen. It was also the year Blur and Oasis battled it out to be the top of the Britpop bands. Since then, we’ve seen the arrival of mobile phones, social media and endured a global pandemic. Most importantly, however, those 30 years mark thousands of customer projects, countless community connections and a whole lot of hard work from dozens of dedicated business owners.
Which is why we’d like to give a special shout-out to some of our franchise partners who have been with us since the very beginning:
The Crawley Ownership team with centre staff members and UK Support Team Representatives at the centre’s 30th Anniversary celebration. L-R Rebecca Perks, Jose Martinez, Melanie Martienz, Michelle Hendry, Alan White, Rory Gallop, Emily Heathcote, John Davies, Athena Kolyos, Isobel Martin.
FASTSIGNS Crawley
While this centre opened in 1995, its previous owners retired in 2018. It was taken over by a group of the centre’s own staff! Husband and wife team, José and Melanie Martinez, who’d worked in the centre as the production specialist and signage sales expert, respectively, teamed up with long-term friend and colleague, Alan White, who worked in the centre as the graphic designer. Together, they bought the franchise and are collectively building an impressive business for themselves. For people who already understand all the ins and outs of the business to decide to take it over themselves is a huge endorsement of the strength of the model. FASTSIGNS Crawley continues to thrive under their leadership. In fact, they’ve managed to continually increase sales and have been singled out on multiple occasions for some of our biggest network awards.
Attendees at FASTSIGNS Leeds’ 30th anniversary celebration.
FASTSIGNS Leeds
The Leeds centre has a particularly family-oriented story, with father-and-son duo Chris and Andy Simpson at the helm since the mid-1990s. After being made redundant from a senior management role, Chris seized the chance to invest in a FASTSIGNS franchise, while his 25-year-old son Andy joined him in building what quickly became a thriving family business.
What began as an opportunity born out of change quickly grew into a long-standing success, with both family and team members becoming part of the journey. Remarkably, their lead designer and head salesperson have also been with the centre for nearly three decades, making FASTSIGNS Leeds not only a great business but a true family through and through.
Current Owner of FASTSIGNS Sheffield, Martin Slater (l) and previous owner, Garth Allison (r)
FASTSIGNS Sheffield
FASTSIGNS Sheffield also opened its doors in 1995. The centre established itself as a trusted partner to businesses across South Yorkshire. In 2024, it was taken over by industry newbies, Martin and Joanne Slater. With transferable skills in business management and accounting, this team have taken 12 months to learn their business. Now in their second year of ownership (and the centre’s 30th year in business), they’re ready to take the centre forward into its next decade of trading!
Looking to the future
Reflecting on the past is always a great experience, especially when we can draw on so many valuable lessons, but we’re never ones to rest on our laurels here at FASTSIGNS. We’re always looking for ways to improve and double down on everything we’ve achieved so far, so here’s to the next 40 years and all the growth, innovation and partnership which comes with them!
Who knows? Maybe 2025 could be an important milestone for you too…could it be the year you take your first steps towards owning a fantastic new business? Let’s talk and find out!
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