PPB April 2019

percent of EmbroidMe locations in the United States that are in the process of converting to Fully Promoted franchises. Overall, we’ve received positive feedback from our franchisees, and this has increased sales at some locations. Fully Promoted is described on the company website as being “the world’s largest franchise systemof its kind.” Can you tell us more about the business model? There are other franchises out there, but we have worldwide locations with a diverse offering of brick and mortar, office and online capabilities. This industry is great, but a buying group or license does not give you what a franchise like ours does for the international name recognition to the customer, and that is where the business comes from. Production can be an issue for some distributors and we have the resources to compete, being that many locations do it by themselves. Fully Promoted locations are a one-stop shop for businesses. We have the products and expertise to help get a business to the next level. How does Fully Promoted recognize employees or franchisees who are excelling? We have yearly awards and performance incentives for our employees. Also, United Franchise Group has a Million Dollar Circle Club, where million-dollar stores meet at a resort to network and share ideas. Next year, it is in Hawaii and we are excited to report that we will have many Fully Promoted franchisees in attendance. It’s been a successful year. Fully Promoted earned various accolades in 2017, including being named to Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® list and its Top 200 Global Franchises List. Can you share more about these accomplishments and others? We pride ourselves on doing franchising right, and although Fully Promoted is only 19 years old, our parent company has been in B2B franchising for 30 years. In addition to this, in 2018 United Franchise Group received the coveted President’s “E” Award for exports. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition that any United States entity can receive for its significant contributions to the expansion of U.S. exports. In total, only 43 U.S. companies and organizations nationwide were honored with the President’s “E” Award for their roles in strengthening the U.S. economy by sharing American ingenuity outside of our borders. In 2006, United Franchise Group’s Signarama brand became the first-ever franchise to be recognized with the prestigious “E” Award. Howmany companies make up the United Franchise Group? Today, in addition to Fully Promoted, United Franchise Group includes the following brands: Signarama, with more than 800 locations in over 60 countries; SuperGreen Solutions, local business advisors for lowering energy costs; Transworld Business Advisors, a business brokerage franchise; Experimax, a retail store offering repairs and sales of pre-owned Apple laptops, tablets and phones; Job Smith Subs, a high-quality sandwich dining experience; Venture X, a revolutionarily designed private membership offering office space, workspace andmeeting rooms for today’s innovative professionals and entrepreneurs; The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, a fresh take on Mediterranean classics in a fast, casual environment; and Accurate Franchising, which helps and guides successful businesses as they expand into franchising or look to expand globally. What is the Titus Center for Franchising? Established in 2017 through a gift from Ray Titus, the CEO of UFG, the Titus Center for Franchising at Palm Beach Atlantic University is the only academic center of its kind in the United States, focusing on franchise businesses. The Titus Center offers academic coursework, internships, job shadowing and training at area franchises, including the headquarters of United Franchise Group. The center is based in the Marshall E. Rinker Sr. School of Business at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach and is supported by several franchise companies. For more information, visit www.pba.edu/ coe/titus-center/index.html. Danielle Renda is associate editor of PPB. “Fully Promoted locations are a one-stop shop for businesses. We have the products and expertise to help get a business to the next level.” —Michael Brugger Michael Brugger became president of Fully Promoted in November 2018. | APRIL 2019 | 77 CONNECT