Signal Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Signal is a global security services franchise business model specializing in customizable, technology-driven security, patrols and monitoring for residential, commercial and industrial clients. Signal further provides on-site security and rapid, tech-enabled incident response.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for Signal?

About the Brand

Signal was founded in 2003 in Omaha, Nebraska, by Shea Degan and Reed Nyffeler. The original entity, Signal 88 Security Group, LLC, was established to operate a security-services business but did not offer franchises at that time. Signal began franchising in 2008 and today operates more than 1,600 global locations.

Mission: Signal’s mission is to provide peace of mind to clients by delivering customized, tech-enabled security services, featuring highly visible mobile patrols to safeguard residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

Vision: Signal’s vision is to become the world’s largest security brand. Their growth strategy is rooted in a human-first approach, combining local ownership with centralized support. After establishing a strong presence in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, Signal is expanding into Germany, with plans to enter major European markets including Switzerland, Austria, France and Italy.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

• Customized Security Solutions: Each client’s security plan is built based on listening, site assessment and unique needs.
• Mobile Patrols: The brand uses distinctive, visible patrols to deter issues before they happen, backed by mobile capability and modern technology.
• Technology: Clients receive real-time digital reporting, which includes GPS-enabled tracking and verifiable data to ensure visibility into security operations.
• Locally Rooted: While part of a globally recognized network, each franchise remains locally engaged and active in its community.
• Commitment to Values: The brand’s operation is guided by values like passion, honesty, integrity, relationship-building, service, and continuous learning.
• Highly Visible Presence: Operations utilize distinctive, brightly lit and branded patrol vehicles equipped with advanced detection technologies like license plate and facial recognition systems. Signal officers are trained to be approachable, community-focused and effective in de-escalation. 

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With Signal?

• Affordable Startup: Signal franchise costs are designed with accessibility in mind, including options such as revenue-based repayment to make ownership attainable.
• Centralized Back-Office Support: The home office handles functions like payroll, collections, insurance and compliance so owners can focus on growth.
• Training: Robust training (initial and ongoing, online and in-person) equips franchisees and staff with business and security operations expertise.
• Supportive Community: Strong network support and a collaborative culture for sharing insights and assistance.
• Technology: Franchisees benefit from proprietary platforms and tech that improve operations and client service delivery.
• In-House Financing: Qualified franchisees may apply for internal lending programs.
• Marketing and Design Resources: The franchise support fee covers marketing and design work, national membership fees and public relations efforts to support local business growth.

Available Territories

Signal is in the midst of targeted expansion both in the U.S. and abroad. Prospective franchisees are invited to visit the Signal website for more information on available territories.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Signal franchise ranges from $160,200 to $5,189,650. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Initial Franchise Fee: The minimum initial franchise fee for a Signal franchise is $150,000. However, the actual fee can range as high as $5,000,000 or more depending on territory size and pre-existing revenue. Signal offers a 5% discount for full payment of the territory fee at the time the franchise agreement is signed. A non-refundable deposit of at least $2,500 (or 1% of the franchise fee) may be required to hold a proposed territory for six months. This deposit is applied toward the final franchise fee.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Signal franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:

ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 116 franchised business units (1,331 outlets) operational for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following gross revenues:

3. What Franchisee Support Does Signal Provide?

Pre-Opening Support

Before a franchisee begins operations, the franchisor designates the specific territory. Signal also provides electronic access to the confidential franchise performance manual, which details mandatory specifications, standards and approved suppliers. Additionally, the franchisor assists with the registration of the Signal name as a trade name if required by state law and provides standard specifications for necessary fixtures, furnishings and signage.

Training Programs

Signal provides a comprehensive 86.5-hour training program consisting of 32.5 hours of classroom instruction in Omaha, Nebraska and 54 hours of on-the-job field training during a launch event in the franchisee’s market. This curriculum covers the business model, specialized patrol and dedicated services, sales, marketing and administrative training. Ongoing education is provided through the Signal Performance Institute e-learning platform, webinars and additional mandatory refresher courses or seminars.

Operational Support

Once operational, the franchisor provides essential back-office services, including centralized billing and assistance with the collection of accounts receivable. Franchisees receive ongoing advisory support regarding operational techniques, sales development and marketing materials. The franchisor also reviews all proposed lease agreements for physical office locations to ensure compliance and handles administrative tasks such as processing job applications and coordinating national public-relations efforts.

Technology and Tools

Signal franchisees are provided with a proprietary technology suite that includes an integrated patrol and guard management system software for real-time reporting and operational oversight. The franchisor requires the use of its Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools for calculating pricing and generating client proposals. Additionally, the franchisor provides templates for local advertising and access to a digital reporting platform supported by GPS-enabled tracking to monitor service delivery.

4. What Are the Franchisee Requirements for Signal?

Eligibility Criteria

The grant of a franchise is conditioned upon the franchisee submitting financial statements and demonstrating their fitness to operate the business to the franchisor’s satisfaction. To demonstrate proper capitalization, the franchisor may require copies of bank statements or other financial documents from the legal entity, individual guarantors or shareholders holding at least 10% of the shares. A successful completion of a background and credit check is also a condition for being awarded a franchise.

Operational Commitments

Signal requires franchisees to operate as active owner-operators, committing their full-time energy to managing daily business functions including hiring, training and supervising security staff. Key operational duties include adhering to mandatory standards in the Franchise Performance Manual, meeting annual minimum sales quotas, and utilizing the franchisor’s centralized billing and payroll systems. Franchisees must also maintain specific insurance coverages, participate in ongoing training and annual conventions and ensure all patrol vehicles and equipment meet distinctive branding and technology specifications.

Funding Assistance

All internal financing requires a security interest in substantially all assets of the business and must be guaranteed by the franchisee’s principals. There are no prepayment penalties for these loans. But, while Signal may assist franchisees in obtaining third-party financing, it does not guarantee any part of a note, lease or obligation to a third-party lender.

Qualified franchisees may apply for the following internal loans offered directly by Signal 88, LLC:

• Signal Assist Loan: This loan is used for financing initial franchise fees.
  • Down Payment: Varies based on the territory's population: $5,000 (0-100,000), $10,000 (100,001 - 200,000), $15,000 (200,001 - 300,000) or $20,000 (300,001+).
  • Interest Rate: Currently the prime rate plus 375 basis points.
  • Term: Generally 36 months.
• Revenue-Based Territory Purchase (RBT) Loan: Available for financing franchise fees with a repayment structure linked to monthly performance.
  • Down Payment: Follows the same population-based scale as the Signal Assist Loan.
  • Interest Rate: Currently the prime rate plus 275 basis points.
  • Monthly Payment: Calculated at 10% of monthly gross revenue until paid in full.
• Operations Line of Credit: Intended to cover ordinary, reasonable and necessary business expenses.
  • Amount: Franchisees can finance up to 75% of recurring monthly revenue from the full month prior to the request.

5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories?

“Owning a business is much easier with the support and expertise of the home office. They provide a strong foundation by handling administrative functions like insurance, payroll, and collections, allowing me to focus on growing my business. I made my ROI in less than six months.”

- Jesse Acree, Multi-Unit Franchise Owner — Portland, Oregon

“One of the most valuable aspects of Signal is having a broad network. It’s a phenomenal culture. It’s a family. You can pick up the phone and call anytime.”

- Mike Daly, Franchise Owner — Tampa Bay, Florida

6. What Is the Market Potential for Security Services?

The global market for security services is expected to reach a valuation of more than $212 billion by 2030. North America alone is responsible for a whopping 32% of that valuation. Growth in the sector is being driven by threat intelligence, regulatory compliance and technological innovation which incorporates technology like smartphone apps and more.

Overall, the security services sector presents promising opportunities for growth and investment, driven by increasing demand for safety and innovation.

Competitor Analysis

Signal stands out in the security services space by focusing on technological innovation and a proven, global model refined over nearly two decades. Focusing on guests via long-term protection and the growing incorporation of tech in a franchised setting helps deliver a somewhat recession-resistant model.

In terms of competition, Signal faces several notable players in the automotive aftermarket services realm, including Spy Alarms, Bannerman, ADT Security Services, Bullant, Tenable Protective Services and more. However, Signal’s array of services and particular focus on quality and the customer set the chain apart.

7. What Is the Application Process for Signal Franchisees?

1. Explore Open Markets: Potential owners begin by reviewing available territories/markets for opportunity at the Signal franchise development website.
2. Initial Qualification: Candidates must meet minimum requirements, including financial responsibility and leadership commitment, as part of initial screening.
3. Start the Process: Formal application or inquiry begins discussions with franchise team.
4. Support and Guidance: Franchisor emphasizes ongoing support, training and access to coaching.
5. Commit to Ownership: Prospective owners continue through conversations, assessments and official onboarding.
6. Launch: Once approved, and mandatory initial training is completed, owners launch their franchise with ongoing support, training and operational tools from the home office. 

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