Private Equity Firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, Management Acquire FASTSIGNS International

LOS ANGELES—July 23, 2014—Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, announced that it has partnered with management to complete the acquisition of FASTSIGNS International. FASTSIGNS is the market-leading franchisor in the custom sign and graphics industry with nearly 550 franchised locations across 44 U.S. states and eight international countries with additional franchises recently sold and soon to open in the UAE and Northern Africa. FASTSIGNS is a sign, graphics and visual communications company that helps customers of all sizes—across all industries—meet their business objectives and increase their business visibility. Some of the products and services that FASTSIGNS uses to provide comprehensive solutions include vehicle, floor and window graphics, point-of-purchase signs, digital signs, labels and decals, architectural and interior décor signs, printing, promotional products and wearables, mobile marketing and other related marketing services. FASTSIGNS was founded in 1985 and is headquartered outside of Dallas.

FASTSIGNS is the fourth investment from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners V, L.P. Lauren Leichtman, co-founder and CEO of LLCP, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Catherine Monson whom has driven strong performance and solidified FASTSIGNS’ position as the market leader since joining as CEO in 2009. The company’s growth prospects and strong cash flow characteristics resemble those of past successful LLCP franchise investments, and we look forward to our partnership with the company to generate another great outcome.”

Catherine Monson, FASTSIGNS CEO, also commented: “Having a partner that understands franchising and the importance of providing valuable support to franchisees was critical to us in selecting our next financial partner. The deep experience LLCP has investing in franchise businesses inspired great confidence among my management team that they are the right partner to support our continued growth.”

FASTSIGNS was advised by North Point Advisors.

About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners is a Los Angeles-based investment firm that manages approximately $7.0 billion of institutional investment capital through private equity partnerships, various debt and leveraged loan funds. LLCP is currently making new investments through Levine Leichtman Capital Partners V, L.P., Levine Leichtman Capital Partners SBIC Fund, L.P., and Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Private Capital Solutions, L.P. Prior investments by Levine Leichtman Capital Partners include Santa Cruz Nutritionals, CiCi’s Pizza, Hackney Ladish, Jon Douglas Real Estate Group, and Luminator Technology Group.

Source: Levine.