Start a Signal Franchise in 2024

2024 Franchise 500 Rank: #88 Ranked #83 last year

Initial investment: $127K - $5.1M

Units as of 2024: 1,465 102.9% over 3 years

Signal (formerly Signal 88 Security) was founded in 2003 in Omaha, Nebraska, and the company started franchising in 2008. Now Signal has over 650 franchise territories in the U.S. It also has a presence in Canada and several other countries.

Signal works to provide residential, commercial, and industrial clients with security services. The company wants to help people have a physically safe environment, giving them a better chance to flourish and prosper. Signal offers security services for apartments, hotels, schools, commercial and industrial establishments. Clients can request patrol services, dedicated security officers, or event security.

Why You May Want to Start a Signal Franchise

A franchisee for Signal should display the qualities it takes to be a team captain. These qualities include passion, commitment, positivity, and confidence. A franchisee for Signal may need to possess good communication skills and the ability to inspire others. Signal may need franchisees who can recognize strengths within the team and use them appropriately.

Signal provides all franchisees with technology and training that can help their franchise grow. The Signal team should help franchisees publish a website, manage new client leads, invoice clients, and operate payroll. Franchisees also have support for marketing, recruiting, and performance indicators that will likely help franchisees run their business.

What Might Make a Signal Franchise a Good Choice?

To be part of the Signal team, you should make sure you're financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include service fees and royalty fees.

Signal has been ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 multiple times in recent years. This ranking is based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Signal has also been named as one of the best home-based franchises to own by Entrepreneur.

How To Open a Signal Franchise

Before deciding to open a Signal franchise, it is a good idea to research some things on your own. The first thing you may want to check out is the competition. Find out what kind of competition is in your area for security services. You should also search out potential locations. The corporate office may help you with this, but it is good to do some of your own homework and come prepared.

If you pursue the opportunity of opening a Signal franchise, you will receive training through their online platform. The officer brand experience program may also help franchisees recruit and retain employees once operations begin.

Before making any financial commitment or signing an agreement, you must perform your due diligence and establish if this is the right opportunity for you. As part of your due diligence, you may want to speak to existing franchisees and ask the Signal franchising team questions.

Company Overview

About Signal

Industry	Services (Other)
Related Categories	Security Services, Miscellaneous Services
Founded	2003
Leadership	Reed Nyffeler, Owner/CEO
Corporate Address	3880 S. 149th St., #102 Omaha, NE 68144
Social	Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube

Business Overview

Franchising Since	2008 (16 years)
# of employees at HQ	130
Where seeking	This company is offering new franchises throughout the US. This company is offering new franchises worldwide.
# of Units	1,465 (as of 2024)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Signal franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Definition: The initial fee paid to a franchisor to join their system What you need to know: Found in Item 5 of the FDD, this may be a flat fee, or may vary based on territory size, experience, or other factors.The franchise fee is an up-front (one-time) cost that a new franchisee pays to the franchisor. This fee is usually due at the signing of the franchise agreement and covers the right to use the franchisor's trademarks, name, and related business systems.	$120,000 - $5,000,000
Initial Investment Definition: The total amount necessary to begin operation of the franchise What you need to know: The initial investment includes the franchise fee, along with other startup expenses such as real estate, equipment, supplies, business licenses, and working capital. This is outlined in a chart in Item 7 of the FDD, showing a range of possible costs from low to high.	$126,950 - $5,093,300
Royalty Fee Definition: A ongoing fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis. What you need to know: Most franchisors require franchisees to pay an ongoing royalty fee, which is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD. This fee is typically a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales, but may also be a flat weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	4%
Term of Agreement Definition: The length of time your franchise agreement will last. What you need to know: Franchise terms are typically anywhere from 5 to 20 years in length, but are sometimes instead dependent on factors such as the term of your lease. Once your term is up, you may have the option to renew your agreement, typically for a smaller fee than the original franchise fee.	3 years
Is franchise term renewable?	Yes

Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

In-House Financing	Signal offers in-house financing to cover the following: franchise fee, accounts receivable, payroll
Third Party Financing	Signal has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: equipment, inventory

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

On-The-Job Training	65 hours
Classroom Training	32.5 hours
Ongoing Support	Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings & Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Security & Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support	Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social Media SEO Website Development Email Marketing Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed?	No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Definition: The business can be run from your home and/or a vehicle, and it is not necessary to have a retail facility, office space, or warehouse.	Yes
Can this franchise be run part time? Definition: This business can be run by the owner on a part-time basis (less than 40 hours per week) and/or as a side business; it is not necessary for the business to be open/run full-time.	Yes
Are exclusive territories available? Definition: An exclusive territory is a fixed area in which you are given the right to operate and in which no other units of the same franchise may be opened. What you need to know: Territory size may be based on factors such as radius, population size, zip codes, and more. Details can be found in Item 12 of the FDD.	Yes