- 2025 Franchise 500 Rank
-
#63 Ranked #88 last year
- Initial investment
-
$158K - $5.2M
- 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 BIZ Experiences’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 BIZ Experiences.
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 |
Parent Company | Signal |
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 (17 years) |
---|---|
# of employees at HQ | 115 |
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
|
$150,000 - $5,000,000 |
---|---|
Initial Investment
|
$157,700 - $5,182,150 |
Royalty Fee
|
4% |
Term of Agreement
|
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, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll |
---|
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 | 54 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?
|
Yes |
Can this franchise be run part time?
|
Yes |
Are exclusive territories available?
|
Yes |
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Signal landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where Signal ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Ranked #1 in Security Services in 2025
Best of the Best
Ranked #63 in 2025
Franchise 500
Ranked #3 in 2025
Fastest-Growing Franchises
Ranked #16 in 2023
Top Home-Based & Mobile Franchises
Ranked #111 in 2024
Top Global Franchises
Ranked #5 in 2025
Top Franchises for Less Than $150,000
Ranked #143 in 2025
Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owners
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