Ray Titus

Ray Titus, President of United Franchise Group and its affiliated companies is the son of franchise pioneer Roy Titus, founder of Minuteman Press International, Inc., who along with Ray, co-founded SIGN*A*RAMA.

Since being named President in 1995, Ray has led SIGN*A*RAMA to phenomenal growth with more than 850 units in 50 countries. The SIGN*A*RAMA Corporate Headquarters controls operations for nearly 200 employees in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia and offers support to the remaining countries around the world. The excellent global growth has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as well as various franchise and trade organizations.

Ray has also established another successful franchise system called EmbroidMe. EmbroidMe is a full service embroidery, screen-printing, promotional products and personalized gifts franchise. It has excelled as one the fastest growing franchises (cited by Entrepreneur and Franchise Times) since 2000. Today, EmbroidMe has more than 450 stores in over 12 countries making us the largest embroidery franchise in the world. EmbroidMe has recently expanded their operations to include Australia, Northwest Europe, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Upon the success of EmbroidMe, Ray Titus took on another challenge with a new franchise called Billboard Connection. Billboard Connection is a home-based outdoor advertising franchise with more than 50 locations that specialize in selling outdoor advertising. Billboard Connection began franchising in late 2004 and has already grown to more than 50 franchisees in five countries.

The UFG business-to-business brands have since seen tremendous success with each brand becoming the leader in its respective industry. All brands have seen incredible growth both domestically and internationally. With this success, the company has begun shifting towards a new endeavor - becoming a resource for franchises.

Through the recent birth of a collection of service companies, Ray has developed United Franchise Group into an organization that could help a franchise from conception throughout its life cycle. One new company Accurate Franchising, Inc. takes concepts or single store businesses and helps turn them into a franchise. From there UFG can assist with their sales by putting them in FranchiseMart, a retail location where a person can go to shop for a franchise. In addition, through another new company, Franchise Greenhouse, UFG can also assist with their domestic franchise sales and development. Once, their domestic penetration is sufficient UFG will refer them to World Franchisors; where assistance is provided for global expansion.

Because of his continued success, he feels it’s important to give back to both the franchising community and world community with knowledge and resources. Ray is affiliated with many organizations, however primarily involved with the following: Franchise Education Strategic Advisory Board at NOVA Southeastern University, the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches, President and Board of Directors of the Franchisor Association of Florida and International Franchise Association Chairman for CEO/President Forums, (South Florida).

He has spent countless hours and thousands of dollars supporting charities including those within the United Franchise Group Foundation: Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, Junior Achievement and Africa Bridge. In addition, Ray is proud to have a place on the Board of Governors at Northwood University and actively looks to get more involved.

Ray is an accomplished speaker and has delivered several keynote addresses for other franchises. Ray also has been published in a new book entitled, “Inside the Minds: Buying a Franchise,” where Ray and other industry insiders share their vast knowledge on what to look for in a viable franchise.

In 2007, Ray was awarded the President’s “E” Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce for export excellence having increased export revenue for the SIGN*A*RAMA brand by 700% in just three years. Also, in 2007 Ray was named Ernst & Young’s Florida Entrepreneur of the Year and the 2007 Counselor International Person of the Year.

Family values are very important to Ray both at home with his wife of 17 years, Andrea, and his three boys: A.J., Austin and Andrew, and at work where he exemplifies the same loyalty and dedication. The core of his executive team has an average tenure of over 15 years with an overall average tenure of over 6 years.

We can all look forward to the continued success of the United Franchise Group as well as the many accomplishments yet to come.