Press Release Details

Young Entrepreneur Continues to Break New Ground in the Established World of Franchising

Friday, June 01, 2007

West Palm Beach, FL

Ray Titus, president of one of the world’s largest business-to-business franchise systems, United Franchise Group (UFG), was recently honored with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for Florida recognizing leading entrepreneurs whose ingenuity and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures.

Titus, son of franchising legend, Roy Titus, used experience gained from his family’s business to develop his own company, United Franchise Group.

UFG’s unique approach to franchising centers on a philosophy that provides a competitive advantage for franchise owners and one-stop convenience for their customers. The dynamic franchise system includes award-winning brands such as SIGNARAMA, EmbroidMe and Billboard Connection collectively uniting signage, embroidery and outdoor advertising. The franchisees from each brand work hand-in-hand to develop an overall branding strategy for their customers. Franchisees share, hence service, customers worldwide while offering essentially a “one-stop” solution for corporate branding.

This multi-brand strategy has led to incredible growth in franchise sales for the company both domestically and overseas, generating nearly $500 million in system-wide sales. They have recently begun to offer other franchisors their expertise in franchise development and strategy for both domestic and international expansion. Ultimately, UFG and its team of franchising experts has become a business development resource for franchisors in any industry.

from left: Ray Titus, president of United Franchise Group and Mike Brennan, Audit Partner with Ernst & Young

In honor of his company’s international achievements, Ray has been awarded the United States Department of Commerce’s prestigious Presidential “E” Award. The President's “E” Award is the highest honor the federal government can give to an American exporting company. The award serves to recognize U.S. firms for their competitive achievements in world markets and their part in increasing U.S. exports abroad. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined President Bush at the White House to present SIGNARAMA, along with ten other organizations, with the “E” Award for excellence in exporting. The company’s export sales increased 700% in three years, growing from $1.5 million in 2002 to $12 million in 2005.

To learn more about United Franchise Group, visit www.unitedfranchisegroup.com. For more information on franchising opportunities, call 800-286-8671.

For more information on the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award, contact their office at 100 North Tampa St., Suite 2200, Tampa, FL, 33602, by phone at (813) 225-4761 or by email at lisapagano@ey.com.

For more information on the President’s “E” Award, contact the Fort Lauderdale, Florida U.S. Commercial Service at their office at 200 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 1600, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, by phone at (954) 356-6640 or by email at Office.Miami@mail.doc.gov.

Call SIGNARAMA Today: 800-286-8671