Design Team Sign Company

What Design Team Sign Company does

Design Team Sign Company, LLC is a privately held, family-owned custom architectural signage manufacturer founded in 1993 by brothers Chris and Keith Pierce and headquartered in Adamsville, Tennessee. The company operates from a 325,000 SF facility housing 20 fabrication stations, 3 CNC routers, a water jet cutter, an ultrasonic welder, 3 channel letter benders, 5 spray painting booths, a powder-coating system, 3 thermoforming machines, 3 large-format printers, and a 40,000 SF warehouse. The company employs 225+ individuals and produces exterior signs (channel letters, pylons, monuments, digital displays), interior signs and decor, custom awnings and canopies, aluminum composite material (ACM) panels using a proprietary attachment system, custom railings, millwork, architectural elements, vehicle graphics, and real estate yard signs.

The business is positioned as a one-source identity solutions provider, bundling project management, design, engineering, fabrication, logistics, permitting, installation, and maintenance under a "Total Image Packaging" offer. Revenue is generated primarily through project-based custom fabrication and installation contracts with national enterprise accounts, supplemented by recurring maintenance programs. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales: dedicated account managers and project managers are assigned to major customers, supported by a company-owned trucking fleet for nationwide (and select Canadian) delivery and subcontracted installation crews.

The customer base is heavily concentrated in QSR restaurant chains — Arby's (200-250 remodels and 60-80 new stores annually), Taco John's (300+ locations completed since 2002), Hardee's, Carl's Jr., McAlister's Deli, Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebee's, Freddy's, Long John Silver's, Dunkin' (via Inspire Brands), Krystal, Schlotzsky's, Newk's, Dave's Hot Chicken, and Huey Magoo's — alongside hospitality (Hilton, Marriott), retail (Rooms To Go), cultural/institutional (NMAAM), and real estate signage (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, RE/MAX, United Real Estate). Pricing is custom per project and not publicly disclosed; revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Design Team Sign Company

Legal name

Design Team Sign Company, LLC

Website

https://designteam.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Design Team Sign Company is a full-service custom architectural signage manufacturer serving national restaurant and retail chains. Founded in 1993 in Adamsville, Tennessee, the family-owned business delivers integrated concept-to-installation identity solutions for clients including Arby's, Taco John's, Hardee's, and Texas Roadhouse.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Signage Manufacturing and Branding Services

NAICS

Sign Manufacturing (33995), Sign Manufacturing (339950), Interior Design Services (54141), Graphic Design Services (54143)

SIC

Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470), Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700), Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures (2590)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Event Decor, Branding & Signage (HSACADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Visual Identity & Brand Design Systems (BPAFAEAC), Joinery, Millwork & Casework Installation (Cabinetry, Built-Ins) (IMAFANAJ), Specialty Finishes & Decorative Installations (Plaster, Stone Veneer, Feature Walls) (IMAFANAM)

Keywords

• Custom sign manufacturing
• Architectural signage solutions
• Commercial branding services
• Exterior signage fabrication
• Total image packaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Adamsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Custom Sign Fabrication and Installation: Full-service custom sign manufacturing including exterior signs, interior signs, pylons, monuments, channel letters, awnings, canopies, architectural elements, millwork, vehicle graphics, and installation services. Revenue generated from project-based custom fabrication and installation contracts.
2. Project Management Services: Comprehensive project management including site surveys, code checks, permitting, graphic design, CAD drawings, engineering, and installation management from concept through completion.
3. Maintenance and Service: Full-service maintenance programs tailored for each client, including lamp replacement, sign face replacement, and preventative maintenance programs.
4. Total Package Solutions: One-source supplier approach providing complete signage, branding, and construction solutions including conceptual design, fabrication, logistics, installation, and permitting services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Design Team Sign Company is a full-service, one-source signage and branding manufacturer providing custom design, engineering, fabrication, project management, installation, and maintenance of exterior signs, interior signs and decor, pylons and monuments, channel letters, custom awnings and canopies, architectural elements, millwork, ACM panel systems, vehicle graphics, and real estate signs. The company serves primarily national restaurant and retail chains with complete corporate-identity and remodel programs delivered across the US and select Canadian markets.

Product overview

Design Team Sign Company is a full-service signage and branding manufacturer offering a unified "one-source" solution. The product portfolio centers on exterior signs (channel letters, pylons, monuments, digital displays), interior signs and decor (wall murals, dimensional letters, way-finding), custom awnings and canopies, aluminum composite materials (ACM), custom railings, millwork, architectural elements, vehicle graphics, and real estate signs. The company provides Total Image Packaging as an integrated service bundling project management, graphic design, engineering, fabrication, installation, and maintenance. Operations span from concept through delivery using state-of-the-art fabrication equipment including CNC routers, channel letter benders, spray booths, powder coating, and thermoforming machines. The company operates from a 324,000 square foot facility in Adamsville, Tennessee, serving national restaurant and retail chains.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Exterior Signs Outdoor signage solutions including channel letters, monuments, pylons, directional signs, digital displays, LED displays, architectural signs, metal signs, and A-frame signs designed for brand identification and way-finding across commercial properties. Targets enterprise restaurant, retail, and commercial customers.
• Interior Signs/Decor
• Real Estate Signs
• Vehicle Graphics
• Custom Railings
• ACM (Aluminum Composite Materials) Panel Systems
• Pylons & Monuments
• Millwork
• Architectural Elements
• Custom Awnings & Canopies
• Total Image Packaging
• Maintenance and Service Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 200-250 Arby's remodels and 60-80 new stores completed annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Mid South Sign AssociationminorOthersIndustry association membership providing networking, standards, and professional development in the sign industry.
• International Sign AssociationminorOthersIndustry association membership for the sign industry providing resources, standards, and advocacy.
• Industrial Fabrics Association InternationalminorOthersIndustry association membership related to awning and canopy fabric products and standards.
• Restaurant Facility Management AssociationminorOthersIndustry association connecting restaurant franchisors with service providers in the restaurant facilities space.
• Denny's Franchise AssociationminorOthersFranchise association membership providing networking opportunities with Denny's franchise owners.
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerApproved supplier for real estate yard signs, sign frames, sign posts, directional signs, and accessories for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise offices.
• RE/MAX Real EstateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerApproved supplier for real estate yard signs, sign frames, sign posts, directional signs, and accessories for RE/MAX franchise offices.
• United Real EstateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerApproved supplier for real estate yard signs, sign frames, sign posts, directional signs, and accessories for United Real Estate franchise offices.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Poblocki Sign Company: Poblocki Sign Company is a large US custom sign manufacturer serving national retail, restaurant, and financial services chains. Like Design Team, it offers end-to-end design, fabrication, and installation for enterprise customers, making it one of the closest direct competitors in the national rollout segment.
• FASTSIGNS: FASTSIGNS is one of the largest sign and visual graphics franchise networks in North America, with 750+ centers. It competes directly with Design Team Sign Company in custom commercial signage, channel letters, and vehicle graphics, though it operates a franchise model rather than Design Team's centralized manufacturing approach.
• Allen Industries: Allen Industries is a US sign and architectural graphics manufacturer serving enterprise customers with branded signage, imaging, and architectural elements. It is comparable to Design Team in serving national restaurant and retail chains with a full-service one-source offering for exterior and interior branding.
• Ace Sign Company: Ace Sign Company is a Midwestern custom sign manufacturer with capabilities in fabrication, installation, and service for commercial customers. While smaller in scale than Design Team, it competes in the same custom architectural signage segment serving regional and national accounts.
• Parsons Signs: Parasons Signs is a US custom sign and branding manufacturer serving restaurant, retail, and hospitality chains with full-service design, fabrication, and installation. It is comparable to Design Team in targeting multi-location national customers with an end-to-end signage and branding offering.
• Signs By Tomorrow: Signs By Tomorrow is a US franchise network of sign and graphics providers serving business customers with custom signage, banners, and vehicle wraps. It directly competes with Design Team in the small-to-mid-market commercial sign segment, though it lacks Design Team's national-scale enterprise rollout capabilities.
• Identity Group: Identity Group is a US-based integrated branding and sign manufacturing company serving national restaurant, retail, and hospitality chains. Its full-service model (design, fabrication, installation, program management) closely mirrors Design Team's Total Image Packaging offering for multi-location enterprise customers.
• National Sign Corporation: National Sign Corporation is a US custom sign manufacturer providing design, fabrication, and installation services to enterprise customers across multiple industries. It competes with Design Team in custom commercial signage for multi-location national accounts.

Broad incumbents

• YESCO (Young Electric Sign Company): YESCO is one of the largest and oldest custom sign manufacturers in the US, with a full national footprint and a broad portfolio including large-scale electronic displays, monument signs, and architectural signage. It is comparable to Design Team in custom commercial sign fabrication but operates at a much larger scale across multiple segments.

Others

• Heath & Lineback Engineers: Heath & Lineback Engineers is a structural engineering firm specializing in sign structures, building facades, and architectural features. While not a direct competitor, it is a complementary/adjacent service provider in the sign design and engineering value chain, often subcontracted by sign manufacturers like Design Team.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/designteamsign

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Design Team Sign Company