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FASTSIGNS® Earns 14-Year Franchisees’ Choice Designation and Seventh Silver Award of Excellence Recognition from Canadian Franchise Association

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Dual honors highlight strong franchisee satisfaction and system-wide performance across Canada

OTTAWA, ON, April 23, 2026 /CNW/ — FASTSIGNS®, the leader in the custom signs and visual solutions industry, has been recognized by the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) with two prestigious honors at the 2026 CFA National Convention in Ottawa, Ontario, earning the Franchisees’ Choice Designation for the 14th consecutive year and its seventh Silver Award of Excellence in the Traditional Franchises (30–99 locations) category.

Widely regarded as one of the highest honors in Canadian franchising, the CFA Awards of Excellence recognize brands that excel in building strong franchise relationships through effective leadership, comprehensive training and consistent communication. This year’s franchisee survey evaluated overall satisfaction and system performance among participating CFA member brands.

Additionally, the Franchisees’ Choice Designation is based on independently administered surveys measuring franchisee satisfaction across key areas including leadership, training, communication, marketing and overall support. This year marks the 14th consecutive year FASTSIGNS has earned the distinction, underscoring FASTSIGNS’ strong franchisee performance and consistent brand growth across Canada.

“Receiving both the Franchisees’ Choice Designation and being recognized with an Award of Excellence is incredibly meaningful because it reflects both the voice of our franchisees and the overall performance of our system,” said Mark Jameson, chief development officer at Propelled Brands. “For 14 years, our franchisees have consistently shared positive feedback about the support they receive, and this additional recognition reinforces the strength of our model as we continue to grow across Canada.”

FASTSIGNS continues to expand its footprint across Canada, with over 30 centers serving markets including Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver. The brand is actively targeting further growth through both new franchise opportunities and conversion programs, which allow independent business owners to transition into the FASTSIGNS system and expand their capabilities in the fast-growing visual communications space.

“I looked at several franchise concepts, including food and retail, but FASTSIGNS stood out for a few crucial reasons,” said Kevin Khan, co-owner of FASTSIGNS of North East Calgary and an upcoming Edmonton, Alberta center.”Its B2B (business-to-business) model means we operate on professional Monday-through-Friday business hours, which was huge for my work-life balance. Additionally, FASTSIGNS is an industry leader with phenomenal brand recognition, an incredible corporate support system, and cutting-edge technology. They gave me a proven playbook; I just had to execute it.”

The total investment for a FASTSIGNS franchise is approximately $248,083 – $344,624, including a $49,750 franchise fee. As a member of VetFran, the brand offers a special incentive for veterans and first responders, which includes a 50% reduction on the franchise fee – a savings of $24,875.

For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson (mark.jameson@propelledbrands.com or 214-346-5679) or visit https://www.fastsigns.com.

About FASTSIGNS®:

FASTSIGNS® is the leader in the custom signs and visual solutions industry. With over 40 years of experience, FASTSIGNS helps customers bring their vision to life and achieve more than they ever thought possible. As the largest service-oriented business within the Propelled Brands® family, FASTSIGNS spans over 790 independently owned and operated centers across the United States, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Grand Cayman, Malta, and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).

FASTSIGNS is frequently recognized for franchisee satisfaction and with awards that include being ranked #1 in its category on ENTREPRENEUR’s highly competitive Franchise 500® List in 2026 for the tenth consecutive year, and continuous recognition from Franchise Business Review in categories such as Top Franchises for Culture, Women, Veterans and more.

SOURCE FASTSIGNS International, Inc.

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OMODA 4 Officially Rolls Off the Production Line: OMODA&JAECOO Sets Its Sights on a New Global Million-Unit Target

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia and WUHU, China, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On April 26, 2026, OMODA&JAECOO hosted the grand “From Million To Annual Million Launch Event and OMODA 4 Roll-off Ceremony”. As the flagship model for the brand’s Globalization 2.0 strategy, the official start of mass production for the OMODA 4 not only marks a milestone in the brand’s three-year journey to 1 million cumulative sales but also represents the launch of the core product powering the brand’s sprint to its 2027 sales target of annual million units. This event aligns with the Chery International Business Summit (IBS), together mapping a new blueprint for the brand’s global growth.

As a flagship model for the youth market and global layout, OMODA 4 precisely targets the “Cyber LOHAS tribe”. Grounded in deep insights into the consumption habits and lifestyles of young consumers, OMODA 4 adopts “Cyber Mecha”as its core positioning, building core product competitiveness in hyper-function, hyper-intelligence, and hyper-energy, serving as a key lever for the brand to capture the global youth market.

Hyper-Functional Design: CYBER MECHA Aesthetics Forge an Exclusive Visual Identity

OMODA 4 breaks away from conventional design logic with its class-exclusive Cyber Mecha supercar styling, forging a futuristic visual identity. The Cyber Lightning Headlights mimic the transient form of a lightning strike, using sharp lines and high-contrast light strips to create a highly recognizable design signature. The mecha-inspired light-flow body borrows from the structural elements of mecha armor, using sharp edges and geometric facets to generate 3D light and shadow effects beyond classic streamlined styling.

The interior features a starship-themed cockpit with a wraparound layout for an immersive mecha-command experience. Paired with a Lamborghini-style F1 supercar flip-start button, every departure is imbued with a sense of ceremony. Meanwhile, the model achieves the optimal drag coefficient within its stylistic class, balancing design with aerodynamic performance. A diverse palette of body colors caters to the individualized tastes of young users, making OMODA 4 a “mobile social card” for self-expression.

Ultra-Smart Features: A Class Benchmark Delivering a Warm Tech Experience

In terms of intelligent features, OMODA 4 leverages class-leading hardware and software capabilities to deliver a smart experience that integrates technology with a human touch, upgrading from “easy to use” to “intuitive”. Equipped with best-in-class hardware, it has 16 ADAS driver-assist features for easy driving and parking, greatly lowering driving barrier to driving and making every journey safer and more convenient.

The AI powered super voice assistant, built on a large language model, will soon be available in the vehicle. In the future, this technology is expected to support diverse function such as voice cloning and mood-based music recommendations, with the aim of accurately sensing the user’s emotional needs and delivering a personalized interactive experience. Additionally, features such as a 13.2-inch ultra-clear central screen, a 540° panoramic image, and 50W wireless charging and other features enrich smart car scenarios, fully addressing the tech demands of today’s youth.

High-Energy Ecosystem: An All-Scenario Setup Tailored to a Diverse Youth Lifestyle

To match young users’digital–physical lifestyle, OMODA 4 builds the best-in-class hyper-energy trendy ecosystem, redefining car scenarios and value as a connector of passion and life. As a mobile esports cockpit, the in-car system comes pre-loaded with over 20 casual and competitive games, supports wireless gamepad connection, turning waiting time into fun gaming moments anytime, anywhere. Building on this, OMODA 4 further expands the boundaries of in-car scenarios, creating a full-scene ecosystem that encompasses pet-friendly features, karaoke, camping, and multimedia entertainment. It is designed to fully accommodate the diverse lifestyle needs of young users and carry all their passions.

OMODA 4 will also launch an Ultra version, which offers class-exclusive factory performance modifications to deliver an exhilarating “supercar-like” experience for driving enthusiasts. The professional sports kit fully optimizes aerodynamics and body stance, boosting visual impact and high-speed stability. A launch control function unleashes peak torque at start for thrilling pushback, the tuned exclusive sports sound ignites drivers’ hearing on every acceleration. Professional sport tuning extends to the suspension, steering, and power response, resulting in more precise and sharper handling overall.

The official mass production rollout of the OMODA 4 represents a critical step in the execution of OMODA & JAECOO’s “New Million Strategy” and is a key component of the brand’s Globalization 2.0 blueprint. With strong tech heritage and a global innovation system, OMODA&JAECOO takes the OMODA 4 as its core model, paired with smart tech like the AiMOGA robot Mornine, to precisely target the global youth market. This shows the brand’s deep understanding of young users and strong R&D capabilities, as well as its commitment and breakthroughs in smart technology. Moving forward, the market launch of the OMODA 4 will further strengthen the brand’s position in the youth market and drive its premium and youthful evolution on the global stage.

About OMODA&JAECOO

In 2025, Chery Group, the parent company of OMODA&JAECOO, ranked 233rd in the Fortune Global 500, achieving the fastest ascent among global automakers, and maintained its position as China’s top passenger vehicle exporter for 23 consecutive years. OMODA & JAECOO takes “Co-Create A Beautiful Life With Young People” as its brand vision, while OMODA focuses on building “The World’s Leading Crossover Brand”, JAECOO adheres to the philosophy of “From Classic Beyond Classic” and is committed to building Global Elegant Off-Road Brand”, and building differentiated competitiveness through dual routes. By 2025, the OMODA & JAECOO brand has expanded into 64 markets worldwide, covering Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and more,demonstrating strong global growth momentum, especially in the European market, becoming the fastest growing car brand in Europe and even the world. In the field of new energy vehicles, OMODA&JAECOO relies on the world’s leading SHS technology, with Super High Power, Super Low Efficiency, Super Long Combined Range,while providing efficient new energy solutions for global users, but also steadily advancing towards the objective of becoming the “The World’s Number One Hybrid Brand”. Notably, beyond its continuous breakthroughs in the core automotive sector, OMODA & JAECOO has extended its technological innovation into the field of intelligent technologies. The robot, jointly developed with the AiMOGA team, has entered real public service scenarios and made its official debut at the Asian Youth Para Games,representing a landmark practice in automakers’ intelligent transformation and further expanding the brand’s value boundaries.

In Malaysia, OMODA & JAECOO currently offers models including J5, J7, J7 PHEV, J8, C9 and C9PHEV, and will continue to introduce more new models that meet local market demand. Under the same group, OMODA & JAECOO has 3 sister brands in Malaysia – Chery, iCAUR and Lepas.

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SOURCE OMODA & JAECOO

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Broadridge Transforming Financial Literacy in Ireland Through AI-Powered Communication

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Helping Irish savers better understand investment products, Broadridge is developing innovative language simplification technology

DUBLIN, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc (NYSE: BR) today announced plans to support groundbreaking work in financial literacy in Ireland. Supported by IDA Ireland, the project will enable Broadridge to explore how artificial intelligence can be used to simplify the language in financial disclosures and make investment products more accessible to Irish retail investors.

“Ireland is a leading international centre for innovation in financial technology,” said Denis Curran, Head of International Financial Services, Emerging Business and Engineering & Green Economy at IDA Ireland. “We are delighted to support Broadridge in its mission to enhance financial literacy through the power of artificial intelligence. I wish the team at Broadridge every success with this innovative project.”

This collaboration addresses a critical challenge facing Ireland’s financial services sector. While Ireland hosts over €5 trillion in fund assets and is Europe’s ETF powerhouse, retail investor participation remains low. Research shows that dense, jargon-heavy disclosures create a significant barrier, with only 18% of EU citizens demonstrating high financial literacy according to the European Commission’s 2023 Eurobarometer Survey.

“This partnership with IDA Ireland positions Broadridge at the centre of a national initiative to leverage technology to make sophisticated investment products genuinely accessible to retail investors,” said Stephen Johnston, Senior Country Officer, Ireland, at Broadridge. “We’ve analysed investment disclosures from the 50 largest UK asset managers and found that nearly half were written at an academic level that would be difficult for most retail investors to understand. Across Europe, around €14 trillion sits in household savings accounts. At a time when purchasing power is eroding due to inflation, too many of these savers lack clarity and confidence in how best to realise their investment potential. By applying AI to create plain-language communications while maintaining regulatory compliance and accuracy, we can measurably boost engagement and help move Irish savers from deposit accounts into long-term investments that can support their financial futures.”

Broadridge’s research project will investigate how AI-driven plain-English communications can transform complex fund documentation into clear and simple information that empowers everyday Irish savers to make informed investment decisions. The initiative aligns with both the European Commission’s Financial Literacy Strategy and regulatory efforts such as the UK FCA’s Consumer Composite Investment framework to deliver simplified, user-friendly disclosures.

Broadridge’s Dublin team supports clients across Ireland’s financial services community, delivering a broad range of technology and operational solutions. With dedicated Dublin-based regulatory expertise, the team partners with leading global asset managers and fund administrators to navigate complex requirements, including PRIIPs, MiFID, Solvency II and the evolving UK–EU regulatory landscape.

Results from the study will be shared with industry stakeholders and regulators to inform best practices.

About Broadridge

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR) is a global technology leader with trusted expertise and transformative technology, helping clients and the financial services industry operate, innovate, and grow. We power investing, governance, and communications for our clients – driving operational resiliency, elevating business performance, and transforming investor experiences.

Our technology and operations platforms process and generate over 7 billion communications annually and underpin the daily average trading of over $15 trillion in tokenized and traditional securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work®, Broadridge is part of the S&P 500® Index, employing over 15,000 associates in 21 countries.

For more information about us, please visit www.broadridge.com

Broadridge Contacts:

Investors:
broadridgeir@broadridge.com

Media:
Gregg.Rosenberg@broadridge.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/broadridge-transforming-financial-literacy-in-ireland-through-ai-powered-communication-302753482.html

SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

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Fabpad Surpasses 12-Month Projections in 90 Days, Delivers 300% Growth Following Seed Round

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Achieves rapid scale within a quarter of funding—while keeping most capital undeployed—highlighting strong demand, repeat usage, and a scalable multi-channel model

HYDERABAD, India, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fabpad, India’s fast-growing menstrual hygiene brand, has achieved its 12-month post-seed projections within just three months of closing its funding round in December 2025. The company also reported a 300% year-on-year growth for FY 2025–26.

Fabpad has reached this milestone within the first quarter post funding, with a significant portion of the raised capital still undeployed, pointing to strong underlying demand and disciplined execution.

The company is now planning to raise its Pre-Series A round to support its next phase of growth, with a focus on expanding access and scaling operations across markets.

Fabpad’s product portfolio—including reusable period panties, cloth pads, biodegradable disposables, and intimate hygiene solutions-—is designed to serve both individual consumers and larger-scale use cases.

Fabpad operates as a direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand in India, where it has built strong user engagement through product performance and repeat usage. Alongside this, the company has scaled across multiple demand channels and markets, enabling it to grow rapidly without relying on a single growth engine.

The company’s growth has been driven by a combination of:

Strong repeat behaviour and customer retentionConsistent product performance across use casesExpansion across geographies

Commenting on the milestone, Dipesh Dhelia, CEO, Fabpad, said, “What stands out to us is not just the speed of growth, but how efficiently it has come together. We’ve been able to hit our projected numbers early while still keeping most of our capital undeployed. That’s a strong signal that we have built a strong scalable model.”

Commenting on product adoption, Shripriya Khaitan Dhelia, Co-Founder, Fabpad, said, “Our focus has always been on solving for real, everyday use. This isn’t a one-time purchase decision—it’s something customers evaluate every single month. That’s where trust gets built. If the product performs consistently, it earns credibility over time, and that’s what ultimately drives repeat usage and growth.”

About Fabpad

Fabpad is a personal hygiene brand founded by Shripriya Dhelia, focused on building high-performance, affordable, and sustainable hygiene solutions for modern consumers. The company has developed a diversified business model, combining its direct-to-consumer (D2C) presence in India with institutional partnerships, export markets, and B2B distribution channels, enabling it to scale across both individual and large-scale use cases.

Fabpad’s product portfolio spans reusable period panties, cloth pads, biodegradable disposables, and intimate hygiene products, designed to deliver consistent performance while addressing cost efficiency and environmental impact. Built with a strong focus on product quality, repeat usage, and real-world functionality, the brand has gained traction across multiple markets and customer segments.

Fabpad is building a capital-efficient hygiene platform designed to scale across markets, channels, and use cases—without compromising on performance or accessibility.

Website: https://fabpad.in/

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2966131/Shripriya_Dipesh_Fabpad.jpg

 

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