Ray Titus, founder and CEO of United Franchise Group, a global leader for entrepreneurs, has elevated franchising from a career to a calling for 40 years. 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 Minuteman 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. Ray founded the very first Signarama® store in 1986, and the brand now spans globally. Today, along with Signarama®, United Franchise Group is home to an affiliated family of brands and consultants including Fully Promoted®, Transworld Business Advisors®, Exit Factor™, Accurate Franchising Inc.™, Franchise Real Estate™, the Vast Coworking Group™ division comprised of Venture X®, Office Evolution® and Intelligent Office®, and Big Flavor Brands™ foodservice division with The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill® and Graze Craze®. UFG affiliated brands include over 1,800 franchises in more than 80 countries, with consultants that have developed over 600 brands into franchise business models globally. 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 and two daughters-in-law, 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, the highest recognition for a United States entity for its significant contributions to the expansion of U.S. exports which he received in the Oval Office from President George W. Bush. Then 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. He is also 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”, “You’re Not Listening to Me”, “Do You Have IT?”, and most recently “The Ownership Economy.” Over 15 years ago, Ray established the United Franchise Group Foundation, the company’s charitable fund, now known as UFG Cares. His commitment to both the local and global franchising communities is exemplified by his involvement with The Titus Center for Franchising at Palm Beach Atlantic University. He and his family made significant contributions to help establish the center in partnership with the university. The Titus family also established an endowed scholarship at the university’s Rinker School of Business for selected students pursuing careers in franchising and are large supporters of Family Church in West Palm Beach. Additionally, UFG and Ray’s companies have invested in the business and entrepreneurship school at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. 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.