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Following the 2020 acquisition of NerdsToGo by major franchising player FASTSIGNS Holdings Inc., the opportunity was clear: develop an umbrella corporation that would act as a foundation for growing a portfolio of service-oriented franchise brands. Thus in 2021, Propelled Brands was born.
Today Propelled Brands assists each brand in its portfolio to confidently navigate forward based on their unique position, momentum, and purpose. The company advances the strategic path for each brand, offering support, guidance, and a clear vision to fully equip every franchisee, helping them maximize success. In fact, the company’s entire growth strategy revolves around the key principle of placing the success of its franchisees before anything else.
Since its inception last year, Propelled Brands has already grown its portfolio to include a total of three franchise brands: FASTSIGNS (which operates under SIGNWAVE in Australia), NerdsToGo, and Suite Management Franchising, LLC, which serves as the parent company of MY SALON Suite and Salon Plaza.
Here’s a look at the key players in the Propelled Brands portfolio – who these brands are, how they’re positioned to help their franchisees succeed, and what’s to come in the bright future ahead.
It all started with a sign
The first of Propelled Brands’ portfolio is FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the leading sign and visual communications franchisor in North America and the worldwide franchisor of more than 750 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS centers spanning eight countries.
The franchise provides comprehensive signage and graphic solutions to help companies in all industries communicate their message and extend their branding across all of their customer touchpoints.
Franchisees of FASTSIGNS receive ongoing support and training to stay ahead of the competition by exceeding the needs of the local business communities they serve. One of the secrets to FASTSIGNS’ continued growth is the company’s investment in building FASTSIGNS to be a diverse community of franchisees from all walks of life.
This dedication can be seen in FASTSIGNS’ commitment to helping veterans in addition to the formation of a diversity and inclusion committee.
“Every company should value diversity because of the strength and contrasting views it brings to their business,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of Propelled Brands and past chair of the International Franchise Association. “Diversity and inclusion needs to extend beyond professional backgrounds, personalities, and other life experiences and encompass all of an individual’s unique characteristics and experiences. We are looking for every opportunity to extend that message into every franchise under our umbrella.”
Getting technical
Next in Propelled Brands’ portfolio is NerdsToGo, a leading computer and technology repair services franchise that provides the total solution in computer and technology support to customers.
Customers can receive service through remote support or by visiting a local NerdsToGo service center. In addition, NerdsToGo acts as the I.T. department for small to medium-sized businesses by helping to design, implement and support I.T. networks, provide data backup and continuity services, cybersecurity solutions, cloud services, remote support, vendor management services, and overall routine maintenance.
Soon after launching its original location in Guilford, Connecticut, in 2003, NerdsToGo quickly became the emerging leader in providing computer and technology-based services to small and medium-sized businesses as well as the residential market. NerdsToGo began franchising in 2017 and quickly grew to 25 independently owned franchise locations in 16 states. In 2020, Fastsigns Holdings Inc. acquired GTN CAPITAL GROUP, LLC, the parent company of NerdsToGo.
With an increasing number of businesses working from home, NerdsToGo fills a gap between the large corporate I.T. services companies and the mom-and-pop stores scattered around the country.
Similar to FASTSIGNS, when Propelled Brands acquired NerdsToGo, the corporation immediately began implementing the FASTSIGNS business model, providing NerdsToGo franchisees with ongoing training, support, and unparalleled resources that are positioning the brand as a leader among the industry and the local communities it serves
“NerdsToGo was attractive because of its strong business model, customer satisfaction ratings, and notable leadership,” said Regis DeVeaux, a NerdsToGo franchise owner. “It was important to my business partners and I to find an emerging, private franchise opportunity. Being a managed service provider was a strategic change, and the FASTSIGNS acquisition has helped us accomplish this goal in a sustainable manner.
Entering the salon space in style
The final franchisor in Propelled Brands’ current portfolio is MY SALON Suite, a salon suite franchise focused on providing stylists and beauticians a personal space to build their business and the beauty industry’s future.
Founded to inspire and empower the modern-day salon owner, the company offers a unique opportunity for a diverse range of beauty and health professionals to run their businesses successfully. The franchise focuses on providing stylists and beauticians with a personal space to build their business.
They decorate their suite, use their own branding, set their hours, prices, and manage their own client lists with the MY SALON Suite franchise owners serving as landlords who recruit and rent space to these health and beauty professionals.
In June 2021, Suite Management Franchising, LLC, the parent company of MY SALON Suite and Salon Plaza, was acquired by Propelled Brands.
Propelled Brands is using its proven business model to accelerate growth and expand Suite Management Franchising’s footprint across the country.
“I am confident in the direction Propelled Brands is taking MY SALON Suite,” said Ken McAllister, the cofounder and CEO of MY SALON Suite. “With MY SALON Suite joining Propelled Brands, our franchisees are receiving ongoing support and unparalleled resources to position the brand as a true leader among the industry and the local communities it serves.”
Overall, Propelled Brands is an organization that is dedicated to advancing the strategic paths for each brand, offering support, guidance and a clear vision to fully equip every franchisee, helping them maximize success.
At a Glance Fastsigns
Year established: 1985
Number of franchised outlets: 673
Location of units: U.S., Canada, England, Australia, Cayman Islands, Malta, Chile, Dominican Republic
Investment range: New Center: $233,555 – $307,308
Minimum required capital: $80,000
Contact: mark.jameson@propelledbrands.com, 214-346-5679
