Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) have several signage touch points that allow you to connect with your customers. When rolling out a signage package nationwide it provides an opportunity to heighten your brand identity. However, this undertaking is not without work, and a lot of it. Meticulous planning, patience, and awareness around timelines, permits, equipment, etc. is required for successful implementation.
Get to Know Compliance
Every township, city, state and state can vary slightly when it comes to signage compliance. Further, what you need or want to do may be restricted to specific types of signs. For example, a drive-thru menu board would have different criteria than a monument sign. In addition, types of lighting and dynamic movement can require a variety of approvals. Before engaging in a roll-out, research should be done on local codes to avoid violations, redesigns or removals. Signage companies and permitting specialists can help alleviate this stress for you.
Account for Permits and Approvals
Much like compliance, the timing on permits can be vastly different depending on where you’re applying. Jurisdictions can take weeks to even months based on what you’re applying for. Oftentimes, it isn’t as simple as filling out “one pager” with the town and waiting for the rubber stamp. A lot of municipalities require thorough permit applications to be filled out that are supported by structural drawing and stamped engineered drawings. Beyond that, you’ll need landlord approval. While it may not be easy to identify, you should start the application process in the more difficult townships.
Add a Buffer to Your Timelines
While we touched on permits and the time they can take, there are many other factors that can chew up your lead time. Contractor availability, manufacturing lead times, supply shortages, weather conditions, inspections, and more can lengthen the time from start to completion. Managing this through a phased rollout with clear milestones makes it a lot less overwhelming. A dedicated project management team would also be a good idea.
Allocate Suppliers and Vendors
To roll out a signage project, you need, well, signage and people to put them in place. To get to this point, you need to design, fabricate and ship them to install. If you are dealing with a lot of locations, this can quickly become a lot to coordinate. Luckily, there are signage companies who can manage all of this for you from design > fabrication > logistics > permits > installation. Consolidating these services into one provider helps with consistency and accountability.
Standardize Your Signage Design
Utilizing the same signage for the roll out makes everyone’s life easier. Whether you are using the same installation team for all the locations or a variety of companies, if the signage is the same, the preparation and execution information will be the same as well. From a business standpoint, it creates a cohesive message to your customers and enhances brand recognition.
Summary
Whether it is for a single location or a roll out as discussed here, time is a major factor. Proper planning combined with realistic time frames are what will determine the success of it. Rather than projecting an opening date and moving backwards, you should get a good handle on the compliance and permitting requirements and forecast out forwards.
Do you need help making these determinations for your business? Give us a call today at 888-235-2579, email us at info@origindisplays.com or contact us here to speak with a solutions specialist.
