Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$4,150 - $9,900
Franchise Fee
$1,000
Total US Locations
588
Business Summary
SIGN GYPSIES franchises operate as custom yard greeting installation companies. Franchisees meet with clients, design yard greetings using SIGN GYPSIES' proprietary sign pieces, and then manage the installation process to ensure quality and customer satisfaction.
Corporate History
SIGN GYPSIES FRANCHISING, LLC was formed on December 23, 2019, as a Texas limited liability company. The company began offering franchises in February 2020. Before this, an affiliate, Sign Gypsies, LLC, operated a similar custom yard greeting business in the North Texas area since January 2016 and offered licenses from January 2016 through December 2019. As those licenses ended, Sign Gypsies Franchising began offering its franchise opportunity to those licensees.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$4,150 - $9,900
Franchise Fee (Low)
$1,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$1,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$250
Working Capital
$2,925
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Sign Gypsies Franchising's financial statements show an unqualified audit opinion, indicating fair presentation in accordance with accounting principles. However, the company experienced a significant decrease in net income from 2023 to 2024, falling from $146,749 to $21,183, and cash and cash equivalents also decreased from $379,837 to $327,840 during the same period. The company also engages in related party transactions, with continuous advances made to related parties under informal arrangements, leading to a balance of $92,278 owed to the company from related parties as of December 31, 2024.
Financing Details
Sign Gypsies Franchising does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. The company also does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other financial obligations for franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
588
Franchised Units
587
Corporate Units
1
Franchising Since
2020
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
6
Litigation Summary
Sign Gypsies Franchising has been involved in six administrative proceedings, primarily initiated against its affiliate, Sign Gypsies, LLC, but two of these also named Sign Gypsies Franchising, LLC. These actions, mostly from 2019-2021, alleged that the affiliate violated state franchise investment laws by offering and selling licenses that constituted franchises without proper disclosures and registration. In one recent case, a February 2023 Consent Order with the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation for the State of California, Sign Gypsies, LLC agreed to stop violating the California Franchise Investment Law, offer refunds to licensees, and pay a $30,000 penalty, offset by refunds. Other resolved cases in Washington (2019), Virginia (2020), Illinois (2020), Minnesota (2020), and Maryland (2021) also involved the franchisor or its affiliate agreeing to refrain from violations, offer rescission or refunds, and/or pay investigative costs. Sign Gypsies Franchising did not initiate any litigation against its franchisees in its 2024 fiscal year.
Bankruptcy History
Sign Gypsies Franchising has no bankruptcy history to report.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
1 years
Renewal Term
1 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, Sign Gypsies Franchising franchisees must meet several conditions at least 30 days before the anniversary date. Neither the franchisor nor the franchisee can have delivered written notice of intent not to renew. If required by the franchisor, franchisees and each of their Owners must sign a general and full release in favor of the franchisor and its affiliates. Franchisees must have met their minimum annual Sign Piece purchase requirement. If required by the franchisor, franchisees must execute the then-current form of franchise agreement (which may have materially different terms and fees) and pay the initial franchise fee due under that new agreement. Each Owner must also execute a prescribed guaranty and personal undertaking, and the franchisee must pay the Renewal Fee specified in the Summary Page of their agreement.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Before opening, Sign Gypsies Franchising provides franchisees with access to an initial online training program, typically within 15 days of signing the agreement but no later than 30 days before starting operations. The franchisor also loans one copy of its confidential operations manual. After opening, Sign Gypsies Franchising provides periodic advice and consultation on an as-needed basis, covering technical, marketing, operational, and general business matters through various electronic and direct communications. The franchisor maintains a website to identify available services, provide brand information, and list franchisee contact details. Additionally, the franchisor may host periodic conventions or meetings, which franchisees are expected to attend at least once every two years, covering their own attendance costs. The franchisor does not provide site selection assistance, approve locations, assist with hiring/training employees, or supply equipment other than initial Sign Pieces.
Initial Training Hours
8
Training Location
Virtual Classroom Training
Ongoing Support
After opening their businesses, Sign Gypsies Franchising franchisees receive periodic advice and consultation from the franchisor as deemed appropriate. This support can include technical, marketing, operational, and general business guidance provided through electronic information, meetings, telephone calls, or emails. Franchisees are also required to attend the franchisor's periodic franchise system conventions or other meetings at least once every two years, covering the associated registration fees and travel costs. Sign Gypsies Franchising does not have a contractual obligation to conduct advertising for the services offered by the franchised businesses, nor are franchisees required to participate in any local or regional advertising cooperative or fund.
Franchise Requirements
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Hybrid
Owner Participation
Supervisory
Territory Type
exclusive
Territory Size Requirements
Sign Gypsies Franchising, LLC defines its franchise territories, known as an Area of Primary Responsibility (APR), based on zip codes, physical boundaries, travel time, and distance. The specific APR for each franchisee is detailed on a map attached to their Franchise Agreement. Sign Gypsies Franchising, LLC currently does not specify a minimum territory size.
Staffing Notes
Sign Gypsies Franchising, LLC recommends that individual franchisees remain involved in the day-to-day operations, even if a manager is hired. For a business entity franchisee, it is recommended that at least one of the owners remains involved in operations. All managers, operators, employees, and sub-contractors must successfully complete Sign Gypsies Franchising, LLC's initial training requirements. Additionally, any employees and contractors who will have access to confidential information are required to sign a confidentiality and non-competition agreement.