Ray Titus

Founder & CEO

Ray Titus, CEO of United Franchise Group™, the global leader for entrepreneurs, has elevated franchising from a career to a calling. His philosophies on growth, positive attitude, and family, influence the core values that have driven success within the brands he has developed from conception to international expansion.

Since the beginning of his career, Ray’s enterprising spirit was cultivated by a franchising legend, his father, Roy Titus, founder of Minute Man Press. Their shared appreciation for innovation and resourcefulness, fueled by Ray’s determination, laid the groundwork for what has become an established and respected community within the world’s franchising industry. This year, United Franchise Group is celebrating its 36th anniversary.

Ray founded the very first Signarama® store in 1986 and since, has applied his successful business model to other business-to-business brands which currently include: Fully Promoted®, Transworld Business Advisors®, Venture X®, Network Lead Exchange™, and Office Evolution®. United Franchise Group has also welcomed to its family, a food division featuring: The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill® and Graze Craze®.

Having the resources and expertise to build successful franchises, led to the formation of several organizations dedicated to advancing the franchise industry. AFI, Accurate Franchising Inc.™, is a company that specializes in helping entrepreneurs transform their businesses into franchises. Franchise Real Estate™ is a leading commercial real estate brokerage, consultant, and advocate serving the franchising and commercial real estate sector, and Franchise Mart™, an online resource for franchise education and matching entrepreneurs to the perfect franchise. Exit Factor™ is the most recent addition rounding out the consulting division with strategies for entrepreneurs to increase the value of their business.

Today, UFG affiliated brands and consultants operate in a variety of industry sectors, include over 1600 franchises in more than 60 countries, and have helped develop over 350 brands into franchises, in over 80 countries with more than 2500 franchisees, yet continues to remain a family business.

Ray and his wife Andrea have lived in Palm Beach County for over 35 years and have built a UFG team in which his family is highly involved. All three of his sons, as well as his three nephews have chosen careers within the organization making United Franchise Group a family-owned business that is truly like a family.

Ray attended St. John Fisher College and Florida Southern College on basketball scholarships and continues to apply the enthusiasm and sportsmanship he gained from that experience to his perspective on leadership and teamwork, which has led to many humbling awards and industry recognition.

In 2007, Signarama became the first ever franchise to be recognized with the prestigious “E” Award which was received in the oval office from President Bush. The President’s the highest recognition for a United States entity, for its significant contributions to the expansion of U.S. exports and in 2018, Ray was honored again for his leadership, when United Franchise Group also received the coveted “E” award.

Ray has been recognized by Ernst & Young as Florida Entrepreneur of the Year, the Counselor International Person of the Year, the American Free Enterprise Medal from Palm Beach Atlantic University, ASI’s Power 50 list of the industry’s most influential people, the Sun-Sentinel Excalibur Award and for four consecutive years, Ray was named in Stitches magazine’s “Power 75” list of most influential people and was one of the founders of the Florida Franchisor Association.

Ray not only participated in the World Leaders Conference, but also delivered the address in 2015. He has published several books including “Laws of Inevitability”, “Ray’s Week”, “Put a Little JJ in Your Life” and “You’re Not Listening to Me.”  In 2022, Ray was honored by the Business Development Board, The Education Foundation, and the Palm Beach County School District with their Outstanding Leadership Award.

Ray’s commitment to the local community, and to the global franchising community is epitomized by his involvement with The Titus Center for Franchising. Over 15 years ago, Ray established the United Franchise Group Foundation (charitable fund) along with UFG Cares™. He and his family donated significantly to help establish the center in cooperation with Palm Beach Atlantic University. It was the first university center in the USA, solely dedicated to teaching students the principles of franchising a business. The Titus family also established an endowed scholarship to reward selected Rinker School of Business students who are seeking a career in franchising.

Ray’s achievements demonstrate his dedication to advancing the principles of franchising and his passion for entrepreneurship. He has created a community within the franchising industry that values family, personal growth, and fellowship. His outreach influences on a global scale as he continues to create opportunities for entrepreneurs to gain not only financial independence but also establish their legacy for future generations to come.