Gary Salomon and Bob Schanbaum founded FASTSIGNS in 1985, opening the first center in Dallas, Texas. In response to their successes, they began offering FASTSIGNS franchises, selling the first center in 1986. Three years and 16 centers into the development of the business, Schanbaum passed away from terminal cancer. In honor of Schanbaum’s legacy, Salomon pushed forward and, within the first five years, the system grew to more than 150 locations.