About
Our History
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Michael Barnes’ (Founder of USI) :
“At the age of 17, while working at a local sign company, I had a crystal clear vision of what our facility would look like in the future. Exactly 40 years later, while working on our website, a drone captured the identical visual that I received from God.
God also made it clear that in order to reach this goal it was imperative for everyone, especially me, to keep our priorities aligned. God, family, the company, others, and myself last. It was my responsibility to help everyone else be successful first. And in doing so, we reached our goal together. Last but not least, it took a specific mindset as to how to approach each and every step and every opportunity along the way. This mindset was ‘make it happen!’ I refused to let anyone talk about why something couldn’t happen. Instead, I insisted on talking about how to ‘make it happen!’
One day in 1991 I witnessed firsthand the challenges of trying to place your order in a drive-thru during inclement weather. As a result, I hired a marketing company to help me understand the impact inclement weather was having on drive-thru revenue. They discovered that 70% of revenue, for most QSR restaurants, derived from the drive-thru and up to 50% of the drive-thru revenue was lost during inclement weather. I was compelled to help QSR restaurants “reclaim their revenue.” For that reason, I invented the self-return order point canopy. I combined the canopy with existing components (clearance bar, lighting, speaker, and mic) into one unit. Hence the name ‘Uni-Structures.’ As a result of creating the product, we created a new market! Disruptive technology at its best! Our relationship with Chick-fil-A and their success with this product opened the doors with practically every QSR brand in the country. Once the doors were opened with this product, it opened the door for many other products and services. The rest is history.”
1975
Michael started working for Signs, Inc. His job titles progressed: Service Truck Assistant > Service Truck Lead > Install Truck Assistant > Fabricator > Lead Fabricator > Production Manager
1977
At age 17, Michael had his vision for Uni-Structures.
1982
Michael quit Signs Inc. and started working as a freelance installer. He leased an 85ft crane to service Metro ATL. He was the face of the company. The product was low quality, so he started his own company with his cousin, Marlon to give the customers the quality product they deserved.
1983
Michael purchased a 1,600 sqft. building and opened a sign company. They designed, manufactured, and installed signs for shopping center developers and tenants.
1986
Michael’s company partnered with Chick-fil-A to fabricate and install signs for freestanding restaurants. They opened their first restaurant on North Druid Hills Road. Since then, Uni-Structures has provided products for over 1,500 Chick-fil-A QSRs.
1993
Barnes secured a patent for the famous Order Point Canopy.
1995
Michael opened Uni-Structures, Inc.
2005
Barnes secured a patent for Component Awnings.
2006
Barnes dissolved the Signs, Inc. company. This is because of strict and unpredictable sign restrictions. This dissolving prevented the company from making the company seem unreliable from a customer’s perspective.
2008
Uni-Structures manufactured and fielded their first outdoor digital sign in the country! Our company has a patent on a semi-passive ventilation enclosure.
2016
Purchased current building in September. Then, purchased our laser cutter in November.