---
title: "Long Beach and Torrance franchisee wins franchisee of the year award"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/f285264e-4987-4215-b190-d06f5fa2205a
source: "Global Franchise"
original_url: https://www.global-franchise.com/news/long-beach-and-torrance-franchisee-wins-franchisee-of-the-year-award
author: "Raghav Patel"
category: "Multi-Unit"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2022-03-08T16:31:38.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T16:11:22.278Z
image: https://cdn.global-franchise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FS.StanGray-1-scaled.jpg
---

# Long Beach and Torrance franchisee wins franchisee of the year award

**TL;DR:** Stan Gray, a FASTSIGNS franchisee for Long Beach and Torrance, has received the franchisee of the year award from FASTSIGNS and the International Franchise Association (IFA). Gray was recognized for his excellence in customer support, company culture, mentorship, and employee development, as well as his commitment to the franchise business model.

*By Raghav Patel, originally published in Global Franchise on 2022-03-08. [Read the original](https://www.global-franchise.com/news/long-beach-and-torrance-franchisee-wins-franchisee-of-the-year-award).*

## Story

Stan Gray, the FASTSIGNS franchisee for Long Beach and Torrance has received multiple international honors, with the franchisee of the year award from FASTSIGNS and the International Franchise Association (IFA).

“Stan Gray is a one-of-a-kind asset to FASTSIGNS. He represents the FASTSIGNS brand with poise and professionalism. He’s also an example of what it means to be a meaningful member of his community, our brand and the IFA as an influential leader for all franchise owners, ” said Catherine Monson, CEO at FASTSIGNS and the chair of the International Franchise Association.

“Stan deserves all the credit for being recognized with these most prestigious honors. Both the FASTSIGNS Award and the IFA franchisee of the year award are an acknowledgment of his excellence in his role and commitment to FASTSIGNS and the positive power of the franchise business model.”

The award from FASTSIGNS recognizes the best of the franchise network, who provide the best customer support, company culture, mentorship and employee development. The IFA’s award is built on its core ‘Open for Opportunity’ pillars: community, workforce, diversity, equity, inclusion, and veterans, which Gray exemplified.

“I am honored and humbled by being named the recipient of the FASTSIGNS Award and the IFA franchisee of the year award. To have my name included with the other incredible people who have received both of these awards is something I will cherish forever,” said Gray.

“I am grateful for the drive and determination that my team has shown to allow us to be successful in the face of adversity. Everyone, from myself, my family and my team are thankful to have the backing of FASTSIGNS and the IFA network and their outstanding support of enabling our success.”

Gray is a retired navy reserve veteran, and received undergraduate degrees in business administration and architecture from Mississippi State University and a masters in architecture and urban design from Columbia University in New York City.

He spoke at the IFA Annual Convention about the origins of his franchise, and how it started in 2015. Gray also spoke on how well veterans are suited to franchising, and how many have been given a chance to ‘serve’ again by the industry.

“Working within the FASTSIGNS network is a lot like my experience serving. From international corporate teams to each franchise, everyone is always on the same page, working toward the same mission,” said Gray.

“I believe in the process. In the military, there are standard procedures that are essential to follow. When you buy into a process, you stay on the path. I’ve bought into the FASTSIGNS process and am committed to FASTSIGNS and will continue my path with them.”

## Entities

- General (sector)
- Global Franchise (publication)
- international expansion (topic)
- IFA (company)
- Raghav Patel (person)
- FASTSIGNS (company)
- Catherine Monson (person)
- franchise business model (topic)
- Long Beach (location)
- Torrance (location)
- franchisee of the year award (topic)

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Originally reported by Raghav Patel, Global Franchise (https://www.global-franchise.com/news/long-beach-and-torrance-franchisee-wins-franchisee-of-the-year-award). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/f285264e-4987-4215-b190-d06f5fa2205a).