View Full Version : Allegra Network Will Acquire Signs Now
Jon Aston
01-21-2005, 04:30 PM
Allegra Network Will Acquire Signs Now
Adds 240 franchise locations to its roster
The Allegra Network printing franchise will acquire the assets and franchise agreements of Signs Now Corporation, which has more than 240 locations in 41 states as well as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. Operational support for Sign Now franchise members will continue to be provided by the Signs Now headquarters in Brandenton, FL; some administrative functions will be moved to Allegra Network offices in Northville, MI.
“The acquisition of Signs Now is a strategic move in the expansion of our services and another step in fulfilling our vision to build a progressive network of the best graphic-communications providers in North America,” says Allegra COO Carl Gerhardt. “The emergence of digital technology in the graphic-arts industry creates unique crossover synergies among our printing brands and the sign industry. WE are a business-to-business franchise network-this acquisition strengthens our platform for further expansion as total solutions providers.”
Allegra Network, founded in 1976, currently has more than 400 locations in the US, Canada, and Japan. Its brands include Allegra Print & Imaging, American Speedy Printing, Instant Copy, Insty-Prints, Speedy Printing, and Zippy Print. (Allegra Network: www.allegranetwork.com (http://www.allegranetwork.com/), Signs Now: www.signsnow.com (http://www.signsnow.com/))
nodrenim
01-21-2005, 09:57 PM
Ah yes, the wind blows and the rain falls, the times, they are a-changin'. Like the minister said "for better or worse".
thomas barth
02-09-2005, 07:09 PM
We recently found out that Kinkos buys raw materials directly from Oracal, not distibutors, and is expanding thier "sign and banner" divisions thoughout the entire US. I guess Allegra is trying to keep up. Tom
allegra
03-09-2006, 08:03 AM
Personally, I must confess that I find Allegra (http://allegra.org.uk) the most easy way to solve my problems.
THATgirl
03-09-2006, 11:33 AM
Maybe they will finally change the logo. Most of the signsNOW signs from a ways away look like just the word NOW.
OldPaint
03-09-2006, 02:02 PM
what is see when i look at the logo is SIGN SNOW!!!!
In any event Franchise sign shops are cookie cutter shops. I can not tell you the amount of my clientel that come to me complaining about FastSigns and how expensive they are with all there setup fees, design fees, min order amounts, and how their pricing keeps changing to the higher side. I can tell you I am loving the cookie cutter competition right now.
Bigdawg
03-09-2006, 02:15 PM
what is see when i look at the logo is SIGN SNOW!!!!
But that's the only snow you see!!! :smile: Just now starting to warm up here!!
Cadmn
03-09-2006, 06:19 PM
In any event Franchise sign shops are cookie cutter shops. I can not tell you the amount of my clientel that come to me complaining about FastSigns and how expensive they are with all there setup fees, design fees, min order amounts, and how their pricing keeps changing to the higher side. I can tell you I am loving the cookie cutter competition right now.
Thats interesting Will the fast signs right down the street from me keep offering great deals Magnetics at $39.95 a pair 3'X8' banner for $80 so I guess around this area they are different.
Business keeps us on our toes... so you must learn to dance!
One more reason to get my Electrical Lic. and focus on my commercial accounts!
OldPaint
03-09-2006, 07:16 PM
Thats interesting Will the fast signs right down the street from me keep offering great deals Magnetics at $39.95 a pair 3'X8' banner for $80 so I guess around this area they are different.
yea they offer THAT!!!!! but you go in and ask what it consists of and its one color, helvetic, name, what you do and phone....ANYTHING OTHER IS BUMP UP FEE!!! this magnetic.
the banners are ROLL STOCK, less then 10 oz. you want better banner price changes radically.
signsnowphilly
01-25-2008, 04:47 PM
from what i understand we have always been loosly connected.
there is an allegra down the street from us, in NE and
they call us eveyonce and a while for things.
they are actually located right next door to the phila fellers.
p.s. I HATE OUR LOGO.
i want it changed.
In any event Franchise sign shops are cookie cutter shops. I can not tell you the amount of my clientel that come to me complaining about FastSigns and how expensive they are with all there setup fees, design fees, min order amounts, and how their pricing keeps changing to the higher side. I can tell you I am loving the cookie cutter competition right now.
I agree most do crap work. Have had many customers come in from the McDonalds sign shop for old fashioned custom quality and care ......
Actually watched a fast signs owner digging a hole for a post and panel in her skirt and pumps ................... LMAO
JimJenson
02-08-2008, 12:42 PM
Actually watched a fast signs owner digging a hole for a post and panel in her skirt and pumps ................... LMAO
Whats wrong with that?
Beats looking at some scruffy signguy digging a hole.
Whats wrong with that?
Beats looking at some scruffy signguy digging a hole.
Nothing WRONG with a woman in the business that was not the point!
The point is ... now that I have to expand:
This particular Fast Signs owner is arrogant and thinks she has the market in the area. When in fact this same sign she installed in her high heels was installed incorrectly and the business owner (which purchased the post and panel from Fast Signs) came to us a few months later so we could make repairs to the install and redo the lettering on the panel since the visibility was terrible.
Whether its a scruffy guy or woman, I could care less ......... as long as the job gets done right. These franchises think because they have a franchise that somehow they are superior to the mom and pops shops ........... wrong ....
JimJenson
02-08-2008, 01:41 PM
Nothing WRONG with a woman in the business that was not the point!
The point is ... now that I have to expand:
This particular Fast Signs owner is arrogant and thinks she has the market in the area. When in fact this same sign she installed in her high heels was installed incorrectly and the business owner (which purchased the post and panel from Fast Signs) came to us a few months later so we could make repairs to the install and redo the lettering on the panel since the visibility was terrible.
Whether its a scruffy guy or woman, I could care less ......... as long as the job gets done right. These franchises think because they have a franchise that somehow they are superior to the mom and pops shops ........... wrong ....
I still dont understand. You'd prefer the compitition to be at the same experience and level of workmanship as you are at?
I think the opposite. I like to maintain a skill level above the guy down the street, be it a fast signs franchise or not.
to each his own.
I still dont understand. You'd prefer the compitition to be at the same experience and level of workmanship as you are at?
I think the opposite. I like to maintain a skill level above the guy down the street, be it a fast signs franchise or not.
to each his own.
Let's see if I can explain it even better for you, since you still do not understand ....
The competition talks the talks and does not walk the walk ......... if the big wig franchise owners are going to be arrogant, talk the talk, at least they should know what their talking about and be able to produce .......... I could care less what level they are at ......... just don't talk S*&^ because they are a franchise ......... does that help you understand :thumb:
onesource
02-08-2008, 07:37 PM
Well time will weed out certian competitors, just be the one that's there and reliable.
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