Revised and updated February 27, 2020.
We may be living in the digital era of the twenty-first century where more and more of life takes place online, but there is still a need for both individuals and businesses to print documents of all sorts. In fact, the printing industry in the US will be worth $79 billion in 2020. Entrepreneurs who want a piece of this market have a strong set of options on this list of the top 6 printing/marketing franchises of 2020.
The key to survival in this industry has been to widen the scope of services offered beyond just rapid printing services. After all, printing industry revenues have been declining on average more than a billion dollars (around 1.4%) each year for the past decade. The companies on this list have all diversified into design, promotional, and marketing services to make up for declining printing revenues.
While traditional printing services may be on the decline, there are several niche areas that continue to grow. The digital printing industry continues to grow at around 3.6% each year and was worth $11 billion in 2019. The promotional products industry has been growing at 1.4% each year and will be worth more than $17 billion in 2020.
Still, the effects of declining demand for traditional printing services is having an impact on all the companies on this list, despite their efforts to diversify. The number of locations for these companies have mostly either been holding steady or declining in recent years.
Here are the 6 best printing/marketing franchises of 2020:
1. Minuteman Press
Minuteman Press has always had a primary mission in mind: Helping local businesses build their brand identity and gain greater visibility in the community. Its printing services cover 37 distinct kinds of products, while its business services include not only printing and copying, but also brand identity, graphic design, direct mail, lead generation, list acquisition, logo design, strategic consulting, and website design services.
In other words, Minuteman Press can not only meet the printing needs of local businesses, but also help them put together full strategic branding, advertising, and marketing plans to boost their local visibility. Different categories of branded promotional products include awards, bags, corporate gifts, drinkware, magnets, pens and pencils, plaques, and tradeshow supplies.
Keeping up with online developments, Minuteman Press customers can enjoy online design, ordering, and proofing to keep things moving along as quickly as possible.
Founded by father-son team Roy and Bob Titus in Plainview, New York in 1973 and franchising since 1975, the number of locations has held relatively steady in recent years, hovering around the current total of 967 (one more than the previous year), none of which are company-owned and 254 of which are located outside the US.
2. Proforma
Proforma takes a really interesting and unique approach to its printing and related services. A Proforma franchisee acts like a kind of local sales agent to meet the needs of local businesses and organizations. The franchisee meets those needs through a carefully selected network of suppliers who deliver the services and products the customer requires.
There is also a distinct focus on landing larger clients, and the franchisees who focus on those accounts are the ones who have achieved annual sales in excess of $1 million. Besides a full range of printing services, including branded merchandise and awards, other services include custom packaging, apparel and uniforms, fulfillment (warehousing and distribution), eCommerce solutions, digital marketing, and a wide range of creative services (graphic design, copywriting, marketing campaigns, and so on).
Founded by Gregory P. Muzzillo and a college friend in 1978 and franchising since 1985, the number of locations has declined in recent years from 753 in 2011 to the current total of 637 (up one from the previous year’s total), none of which are company-owned and 42 of which are located outside the US.
3. Allegra Marketing-Print-Mail
Allegra Marketing-Print-Mail now describes itself as a one-stop resource for business communications needs, including printing, direct mail, signs, displays, and promotional products. Other services include marketing consultation, graphic design, web marketing, and complete finishing and mailing services.
In a consultative approach, Allegra helps local businesses answer questions such as: How can I build brand awareness? How can I grow my existing accounts? How can I generate new leads? How can I inform and engage my team? The company can help businesses and organizations with brand awareness, customer/donor retention, internal communications, and lead generation.
As a company, Allegra is supporting franchisees with a new technology platform called WorkStream that integrates e-commerce, business management, and workflow automation into one application.
Founded in 1976 and franchising since 1977, the number of locations has declined in recent years from 343 in 2009 to the current total of 289 (an increase of 39 from the previous year’s total), two of which are company-owned and 66 of which are located outside the US. Note that domestic units declined by two units while 42 international locations were added.
4. AlphaGraphics
AlphaGraphics recently acquired business intelligence software company Print Speak, which has allowed it to develop two new proprietary systems to provide more support to franchisees. One is agLearn, a learning platform with more than 600 training courses covering sales techniques, products, equipment, and more. The other is AgXsell, a customer relationship management (CRM) platform to help franchisees with a step-by-step process to make customers aware of available services and convert leads to customers.
In addition to traditional and digital printing services, AlphaGraphics offers graphic design, marketing communications, book publishing, signage, branding, document creation/management, and more.
Many AlphaGraphics franchisees are involved in Junior Achievement (JA), a non-profit organization dedicated to getting millions of young people excited about becoming successful entrepreneurs. Franchisees share their real-life business experiences and lessons with young people throughout communities in which they operate.
Founded by Rodger Ford in Tucson, Arizona in 1970 and franchising since 1980, the number of locations held relatively steady from 2011-2019 but just dropped to the current total of 270 (a decline of 10 from the previous year’s total), none of which are company-owned and 23 of which are located outside the US.
5. Sir Speedy Print, Signs, Marketing
Sir Speedy Print, Signs, Marketing has a full menu of printing and marketing services that it provides by relying on the equipment and services of key partners such as Xerox, Exact Data, Ricoh, 3M, Acxiom, UPS, Konica Minolta, USPS, Canon, HP, Grimco, EFI, ASI, and others.
In addition to printing and copying, other services include sign making, integrated multi-channel marketing campaigns, direct mail marketing, all kinds of creative services, fulfillment, website design, data services (as related to marketing), trade show materials, promotional products, online storefronts, website design, and more.
Sir Speedy is owned by FSI – Franchise Services, Inc. – a franchise company that has been managing various business service brands for more than 40 years, including TeamLogicIT, Signal Graphics, PIP, Eastnet Print, and MultiCopy The Communication Company.
Founded in Costa Mesa, California in 1968 and franchising since that same year, the number of locations has declined significantly in recent years from 404 in 2009 to the current total of 220 (down by 11 from the previous year’s total), none of which are company-owned and 69 of which are located outside the US.
6. PIP Marketing, Signs, Print
PIP Marketing, Signs, Print holds a special place on this list as the first printing company to adopt a franchising model back in the 1960s. Like Sir Speedy, PIP is owned by Franchise Services Inc. (FSI), so the range of services and key partners is pretty much the same.
What does FSI bring to the table in terms of supporting franchisees of both brands? Each franchisee has a dedicated Business Management Consultant with deep expertise in the day-to-day operations of a PIP business and can help with budget and cash flow projections, business and marketing plans, collections, financial and employee management, technology and equipment analysis, production management, sales and management training, and anything else related to successfully running the store.
Founded by Bill Le Vine in Southern California in 1965 and franchising since 1968, the number of locations has declined in recent years from 136 in 2009 to the current total of 66 (down by two from the previous year’s total), none of which are company-owned and two of which are located outside the US.
An Important Note About Our Methodology
The franchises on this list were ranked according to the number of units in the franchise system. If you are a prospective franchisee searching for franchise opportunities that meet or exceed certain performance benchmarks for sales, profits, and return on investment, please check out this list of America’s Most Lucrative Franchises.
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