Five Film Companies Rank among Entrepreneur’s Annual Top 500 Franchise List

January 17th, 2018 by Katherine Coig

Entrepreneur Magazine has released its 39th annual list of top 500 franchises, and five companies that offer film services landed a spot this year, including FastSigns, Ziebart, Signamara, Window Genie and Tint World.

No. 70 – FastSigns

Initial Investment: $182,329 – $267,520

Year-Over-Year Change in Units: +35

CEO: Catherine Monson

The Texas-based franchise was founded in 1985 by print broker and catalog developer Gary Salomon and his partner Robert Schanbaum. The pair opened their first store in Dallas and began franchising in 1986. By 2000, the company had more than 400 locations creating vehicle graphics, architectural letters and signs for windows, yards and buildings.

As of the year’s end, the company has 653 stores internationally—583 located throughout the U.S., and 70 overseas.

No. 151 – Ziebart

Initial Investment: $227,000 – $450,000

Year-Over-Year Change in Units: +16

CEO: Thomas Wolfe

Ziebart is no stranger to the Franchise 500 List, having made the ranks more than 20 times.

The company has been franchising for 55 years but was founded in 1959 by Kurt Ziebart, a German auto mechanic, in Detroit, Mich.

Today, the company provides a variety of auto detailing services including window tinting and paint protection film (PPF), as well as glass repair and fabric and rust protection.

Ziebart has 12 company-owned locations, 297 franchises outside of the U.S., and 82 across the country, according to the Entrepreneur’s stats.

No. 249 – Signarama

Initial Investment: $94,366 – $292,520

Year-Over-Year Change in Units: +0

CEO: Ray Titus

Signarama was founded in 1986 by Ray Titus, who began franchising the company a year later. The company is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Fla., and his locations worldwide.

It provides vehicle graphics for fleets and trucks, vehicle lettering, boat graphics and wall murals. The company also provides designing, printing, third-party financing, project management and installation services.

As of December 2017, Signarama has a total of 683 locations, with 390 U.S.-based franchises and 293 internationally located.

No. 302 – Window Genie

Initial Investment: $90,800 – $145,000

Year-Over-Year Change in Units: +12

CEO: Richard Nonelle

Founder and CEO Richard Nonelle started Window Genie in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1994, as a window cleaning company. The company has been franchising for 20 years and has since expanded its offerings to also include window tinting, pressure washing, deck cleaning, house washing and concrete cleaning.

The company is still privately-held and has 121 U.S. franchise locations.

No. 351 – Tint World

Initial Investment: $118,100 – $199,700

Year-Over-Year Change in Units: +5

CEO: Charles Bonfiglio

The company was founded in 1982 and became a franchise in 2007, and has a total of 55 shops—52 in the U.S. and three outside of its borders.

The restyling franchise offers automotive, residential, commercial and marine window tinting and security-film services. Other automotive services provided include auto security, electronics, audio/video, styling, custom wheels and tires, detailing and reconditioning.

Entrepreneur comprises its list using a precise formula involving several key pillars: costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength and financial strength and stability.

This article is from Focus on Film, the weekly e-newsletter that covers the latest news regarding window film and related products, including paint protection film. Click HERE to sign up—there is no charge. Interested in a deeper dive? Free subscriptions to Window Film magazine in print or digital format are available. Subscribe at no charge HERE.

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2 comments
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  1. can you please keep me posted all your news and updates

  2. Thank you this information, it makes for interesting reading.
    It also demonstrates that there are always opportunities out there.
    People who think out of the box and see gaps in the market come up with amazing concepts, that others say are almost impossible to do .It just shows you one can never say never.
    Even in establishes markets and industries it is never too late to start creating new businesses.
    Well done to these companies, I take my hat off to them and solute them.
    Leon Levy Klingshield South Africa

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