FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 1, 2005

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. Takes Third Place in Franchise Update’s Annual STAR Awards

Carrollton, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., a worldwide sign and graphics franchisor, placed third in Franchise Update Magazine’s annual STAR (Speaking To And Responding) Awards that were announced recently, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. said.

The award was based on FASTSIGNS International, Inc.’s franchise sales website and on its customer service. Specifically, the award’s sponsors evaluated the website’s look, feel and functionality, as well as the service that franchise prospects received when they called the company’s headquarters in Carrollton, Texas, according to Bill McPherson, the company’s vice president of domestic franchise sales. “Points were given for the franchise prospect being connected to a live person and for the staff member being courteous,” he said.

The STAR program is characterized by a specific list of criteria that is evaluated by “mystery shoppers” who make contact with franchisors by phone and the Internet, the magazine said. Posing as a prospect, these mystery shoppers phone franchisors’ 800 telephone numbers and document how long it takes to receive franchise information and reach a sales representative. In addition, the shoppers visit franchise websites to analyze online content, accessibility, site readability and ease of navigation, online request forms and applications, and the time it takes a franchise representative to make contact.

“We are delighted to have received this award for both our website and our telephone customer service,” said McPherson. “We know that the first impression is often the lasting impression, and we work very hard to be informative, accessible and friendly to franchise prospects. We’re looking forward to doing even better in the awards next year.”

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers. There are more than 475 FASTSIGNS® centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Australia, where locations operate under the SIGNWAVE® name. Focusing on the needs of business customers, the centers offer a full range of custom sign and graphic products, including banners, window-vehicle-floor graphics, safety and identification signage, trade show displays and exterior signage.

The company has numerous franchise territories available in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit franchise.fastsigns.com or call 800-827-7446.

FASTSIGNS International, Inc.
2550 Midway Road, Suite 150
Carrollton, TX 75248
Phone: 800 827-7446
Fax: 972 250-6807
E-Mail: margaret.smallwood@fastsigns.com
Website URL: www.fastsigns.com