FASTSIGNS of Washington, DC Named Franchise of the Year at Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit

Howard James, franchisee of FASTSIGNS of Washington, DC, received the Franchise Company of the Year Award presented by Black Enterprise at the 2016 Entrepreneurs Summit held in Miami Beach, FL. This 3-year-old small business award recognizes an independently-owned franchise business for outstanding performance and contribution in enhancing the growth and development of the franchising industry.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by Black Enterprise as the 2016 Franchise Company of the Year and I am overwhelmed with gratitude,” James said. “I want to thank my incredible team at FASTSIGNS of Washington, D.C. for their hard work and dedication. We also thank our customers for their continued support and for making this achievement possible.”

Prior to opening FASTSIGNS of Washington, DC in 2007, James was a theater production professor at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Using his passion for visual arts, applying his leadership skills and embracing the FASTSIGNS franchise model, James has consistently grown his business. He operates a high performing center and his sales rank in the top 15 percent of the more than 600 FASTSIGNS locations worldwide.

“We are so proud of Howard and his FASTSIGNS team for receiving this esteemed award from Black Enterprise,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “Exceptional franchisees like Howard continue to make a big impact in their own local communities and it is because of them that FASTSIGNS is the leading sign, graphic and visual communications provider in the industry.”