Can a single signage company handle your nationwide signage needs? Yes, many companies, including Pro Signs, are fully capable of managing this. But should you rely on just one sign provider when you have hundreds—or even thousands—of locations? Maybe, maybe not. Let’s dive into the factors you should consider.

Many large retailers, restaurants, convenience stores, and other businesses with widespread locations have already realized the benefits of regionalizing their signage program. For instance, a national quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain with thousands of locations might partner with sign companies in different regions, such as the Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest, and Midwest. By creating an RFI process to select qualified partners who manufacture in-house and meet your brand’s specifications, you can gain several advantages:

Local Expertise = Greater Efficiency

Sign companies with decades of experience in their local regions bring deep knowledge of their specific markets. This often includes a better understanding of the permitting process in areas with strict regulations, saving you time and avoiding headaches. Additionally, local companies can perform more installations with their own crews and fleet, rather than subcontracting, reducing costs and delays. You’ll also save considerably on shipping, as signs won’t need to be transported across the country but can be produced and delivered within the region.

Keep Your Vendors Competitive

A little competition never hurts. When you work with multiple sign partners, you can compare pricing for similar signs, making sure you’re getting the best value. Some companies may underbid RFPs only to hit you with unnecessary change orders later. Through regional partners, you can spot these tactics and keep your providers accountable. Additionally, you’ll be better positioned to avoid production or installation delays when you work with more than one vendor.

Flexibility Between Partners

What happens if one of your regional partners experiences an unexpected uptick in production lead times? By having sign partners in multiple regions, you can ask another partner to step in and build additional signage to help support your other vendor, ensuring your timelines stay on track.

Safeguard Against Vendor Issues

Every year, some sign manufacturers of notable size face financial difficulties or even go out of business. If you’re relying on only one company for all your signage needs, this could leave you in a tight spot with unfinished projects and no immediate alternative. Regionalizing your sign program reduces this risk, ensuring you always have a backup option in place.

Higher Priority with Regional Partners

In regional partnerships, your business tends to be a more important account. This means your needs won’t be lost in the shuffle, as could happen with a large, national signage conglomerate that manages many major clients.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Regionalizing your sign program can lead to significant cost savings without sacrificing quality. You’ll gain flexibility, greater control, and reduced risks, while maintaining your brand consistency.

Some might argue that managing multiple sign vendors leads to more internal coordination. This can be streamlined by having all your partners use the same project management and tracking tools, ensuring regular updates and smooth communication.

Putting all your “signage eggs” in one basket can leave you exposed to unnecessary risks. Regionalizing your signage program offers a practical, cost-effective solution to protect your brand and your bottom line.

Established in 1947, Pro Signs is a full-service sign company based outside of Philadelphia in an 80,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. With decades of experience in executing multi-site sign programs and rebranding rollouts and being located within 300 miles of nearly 20% of the U.S. population, contact us today to find out how we can help your company efficiently execute your branding needs.