CARROLLTON, Texas (April 20, 2015) – In addition to receiving several U.S. awards for superior franchisee support, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is experiencing the same success in Canada, and has been recognized with a bronze Award of Excellence from the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) for achieving high levels of franchisee satisfaction.

Given to franchise systems that display the strongest mutually-beneficial relationships with their franchisees, FASTSIGNS® received the CFA Award of Excellence in franchising in the Traditional – Mature Category. In addition, the franchisor received the Franchisees’ Choice Designation for the fourth consecutive year. Both were presented to the company at the CFA National Convention Gala Awards Presentation Dinner on April 13, 2015 in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

“A franchise system is only as successful and healthy as its franchisees, so awards like this reaffirm that we’re implementing the right strategies and tactics and show the true strength of our company as a whole,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “We’re continuously seeking ways to grow internationally, and that can only be done with satisfied and successful franchisees paving the road and offering great visual communication options for their clients. We are particularly proud of our success in Canada and the strong relationship we have with our Canadian franchisees who excel in providing marketing services and visual graphics for their customers. We have continued plans to grow throughout Canada and have identified 40-plus markets for new FASTSIGNS locations in the country.”

Open only to CFA members who have been franchising for three or more years, the CFA Award of Excellence recipients are chosen based on the results of a third-party survey of the franchisors and their franchisees. The survey assesses a franchise system based on performance in key areas, including: franchisee relations, leadership, business planning, marketing, training and support, ongoing operations and communications.

“The CFA Awards of Excellence in Franchising truly set a benchmark for franchises throughout Canada and we are pleased to recognize FASTSIGNS for their commitment to excellence in franchising,” says Lorraine McLachlan, CFA President and CEO. “A solid relationship between franchisor and franchisee is vital to the system’s success and FASTSIGNS’ results show that they offer outstanding support to their franchisees.”

The franchise currently has 26 locations operating throughout Canada and an additional two centers currently under development. For Diane Henderson, who purchased her Burlington, Ontario FASTSIGNS five years ago from her father, the support has been an integral factor in her location’s success.

“My FASTSIGNS center has been in the family for 19 years, and the corporate team has provided the same all-encompassing support the entire time,” said Henderson. “Whenever we have an issue with anything from design and technology to hiring and finances, FASTSIGNS is always there to support us in every aspect of our operations and management.”

In addition to the CFA Award of Excellence, FASTSIGNS was also recently recognized by Franchise Business Review (FBR) for outstanding franchisee satisfaction and was named one of the inaugural inductees into the FBR Hall of Fame.