SIGN-A-RAMA FRAUD BUSINESS MODEL
I worked for SIGN*A*RAMA Corporate for 6 years, and laid off in early 2009.
My job at the signarama office was to spot low volume sales signarama franchisees and have regional managers call targeted stores. Basically, Keep harrasing or threatening store owners until they agree to sell the stores to the prospective buyer.
Why doing it to the franchisee??
SIGN*A*RAMA uses profitable stores as the good marketing tools. On the other hand, un-profitable stores was used to generate the transaction fees by turning the stores to new owners. (SIGNARAMA's hidden resale marketing fee was $20K from existing owner, and collect $40K franchise fee from new franchisee.) Just like real estate property, more transactions, more profits. SIGNARAMA did not care the royalty income compare to the income generated by resale transactions. The average turnover for new SIGNARAMA store is 3 TIMES for the period of 5 years.
If store owners did not agree to sell, SIGNRAMA just filed the lawsuit against franchisee and have them pay for signarama's attorney fees according to SIGNARAMA FRANCHISE AGREEMENT regardless of judgement. Franchisees normally file the counter claim, but it is just a breach of contratct by doing it. SIGNARAMA's Attorney was one of the employee of Min. Man Press Franchisor. Overstated attorney's costs are later returned to SIGNARAMA bank account.
SIGNARAMA FRANCHISE BUSINESS MODEL:
Making Money from royalty is not SIGNARAMA's Business model, RESALE stores and file lawsuit agains existing franchise owners are the ultimate business model. Ray Titus was the great inventor of this business model and forcing everyone to follow this business model.
My advice to you: DO NOT sign any agreements or peperwork with SIGN*A*RAMA. SIGN*A*RAMA often forged franchisee's signature and submitted to the court.