FranCast by UFG

In this episode of FranCast by UFG, we sit down with Christina Parsons, Chief Marketing Officer, to explore why more women are choosing franchising and how women are continuing to shape the future of the industry.

Christina discusses the growth of women in franchise ownership, why the structure and support of the franchise model can be especially appealing to first-time business owners, and how franchising can create a more accessible path into entrepreneurship. She also shares why diverse perspectives strengthen franchise brands and why women’s growing presence in leadership roles is just as important as their growth in ownership. 

The conversation also looks at the importance of mentorship, networking, education, and access to resources for women entering the industry. Christina offers advice for women who may be considering franchise ownership and shares what she hopes to see over the next five to ten years as more women build businesses, lead teams, and create opportunities for the next generation. 

Be sure to follow Christina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinamparsons/

To email us your questions, you can reach out to [email protected].

Loved this conversation? Be sure to rate, review, and follow us so you don’t miss an episode! Plus, keep up with us on social media for all the latest updates across the United Franchise Group network.

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-franchise-group

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In episode twelve of FranCast by UFG, we sit down with Cassidy Hawkins, Franchise Logistics Manager, to break down what really happens after someone buys a franchise and signs the agreement.

Cassidy walks through the opening process from those first welcome conversations to the steps that follow, including real estate, training, marketing, hiring, construction, permitting, and the many details that have to come together before a new location can open. She also explains how UFG helps organize the process into manageable stages so new franchise owners aren’t trying to tackle everything at once.

The episode also goes behind the scenes of the support system surrounding each new owner, with teams across logistics, finance, real estate, marketing, and training working together to keep openings moving forward and help franchisees navigate roadblocks along the way. Cassidy shares why trusting the process, following the system, and staying connected with the support team can make such a difference from signing day to opening day.

To email us your questions, you can reach out to [email protected].

Loved this conversation? Be sure to rate, review, and follow us so you don’t miss an episode! Plus, keep up with us on social media for all the latest updates across the United Franchise Group network.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedfranchisegroup

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-franchise-group

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@united-franchise-group/videos

In episode ten of FranCast by UFG, Mandy Roan, Director of Marketing for Signarama, sits down with A.J. Titus, President of Signarama & UFG Executive Director, to celebrate Signarama’s 40th anniversary and reflect on four decades of growth, evolution, and franchise success. A.J. shares what it means to lead a brand that has been part of his life from the beginning and why Signarama’s people-first culture has remained at the heart of the business even as the industry has transformed.
 
The conversation looks at how Signarama has evolved alongside major shifts in technology, marketing, manufacturing, and digital signage, while continuing to support franchise owners and expand globally. A.J. also shares what he believes sets the brand apart, from long-standing franchisee relationships and accessible leadership to a history of adapting without losing the culture and values that have defined Signarama for 40 years.
 
Looking ahead, A.J. discusses his vision for the next 40 years and what prospective franchise owners should consider when evaluating an opportunity, including profitability, longevity, proven success, and finding a business and community they can genuinely see themselves being part of for the long term.

Be sure to follow A.J.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexjamestitus/ and learn more about Signarama: https://signaramafranchise.com/

Stay connected with Signarama on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signaramafranchising

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signaramafranchising

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/signarama

To email us your questions, you can reach out to [email protected].

Loved this conversation? Be sure to rate, review, and follow us so you don’t miss an episode! Plus, keep up with us on social media for all the latest updates across the United Franchise Group network.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedfranchisegroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedfranchisegroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-franchise-group

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@united-franchise-group/videos

In episode nine of FranCast by UFG, Chad Palmer sits down with Michael White, UFG Chief Development Officer & Director of Global Sales, for a conversation about what prospective franchise owners should really know before buying a franchise. From evaluating fit and understanding the research process to avoiding common mistakes and asking better questions, Michael shares practical insight from years of helping people navigate one of the biggest business decisions they will make. 

The episode also explores how prospects can identify the right brand for their goals, what strong franchise candidates tend to have in common, and why following a proven process matters so much. Michael also explains how AI is changing the way people research franchise opportunities, while reinforcing why human guidance, real conversations, and local community connection still matter. 

If you are exploring franchise ownership, comparing opportunities, or trying to better understand what makes a franchise a good fit, this episode offers a clear and grounded place to start.

Be sure to follow Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcwhite/

To email us your questions, you can reach out to [email protected].

Loved this conversation? Be sure to rate, review, and follow us so you don’t miss an episode! Plus, keep up with us on social media for all the latest updates across the United Franchise Group network.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedfranchisegroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedfranchisegroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-franchise-group

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@united-franchise-group/videos

In episode eight of FranCast by UFG, Bob Chapa returns for the final installment of this three-part series to talk about what it takes to scale a business through people, systems, leadership habits, and financial discipline.

Bob shares what excites him most now as an owner, from recruiting and developing talent to watching team members grow into industry leaders. He also talks about the leadership meetings and habits he protects every week, the best advice he received from another franchise owner, and how franchising helped him expand his business by leveraging the power of a global network.

To close out the series, Bob reflects on one of the most painful mistakes of his ownership journey. That lesson became a turning point, shaping how he leads today and why he now thinks so intentionally about long-term business strength.

Be sure to follow Bob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobchapa/ and learn more about Signarama: https://signaramafranchise.com/

Stay connected with Signarama on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signaramafranchising

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signaramafranchising

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/signarama

To email us your questions, you can reach out to [email protected].

Loved this conversation? Be sure to rate, review, and follow us so you don’t miss an episode! Plus, keep up with us on social media for all the latest updates across the United Franchise Group network.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedfranchisegroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedfranchisegroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-franchise-group

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@united-franchise-group/videos

In episode seven of FranCast by UFG, the conversation with Mandy Roan and Bob Chapa continues as he goes deeper into the realities of ownership and what changes once you officially take the reins.

In part two of the series, Bob opens up about one of the earliest and hardest leadership lessons he faced as an owner, then expands into what employees should start paying attention to if they want to think more like owners. He talks through the importance of learning from failure, understanding the financial side of the business, and shifting from focusing on your own role to thinking about the performance of the entire company.

He also shares why great ownership is less about doing everything yourself and more about building culture, developing people, and helping others grow into bigger roles. This episode offers a candid look at the transition from employee to leader and the mindset shifts that make that leap possible.

Be sure to follow Bob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobchapa/ and learn more about Signarama: https://signaramafranchise.com/

Stay connected with Signarama on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signaramafranchising

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signaramafranchising

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/signarama

To email us your questions, you can reach out to [email protected].

Loved this conversation? Be sure to rate, review, and follow us so you don’t miss an episode! Plus, keep up with us on social media for all the latest updates across the United Franchise Group network.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedfranchisegroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedfranchisegroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-franchise-group

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@united-franchise-group/videos

In episode six of FranCast by UFG, the show kicks off a three-part series with Bob Chapa, owner of Signarama Troy | Metro Detroit, the largest Signarama location in the world, a Hall of Fame franchisee, and a mentor to many owners across the network.

Joined by Mandy Roan, Director of Marketing for Signarama, Bob shares how he got his start in the sign industry, what first drew him to the Signarama franchise model, and how he made the leap from employee to owner. He reflects on growing up in an independent family sign company, then discovering a franchise system that offered something very different: structure, support, shared knowledge, and a network of people invested in each other’s success.

This episode is a strong starting point for anyone curious about what first attracts people to franchising, how the owner mindset begins to form, and why the right system can completely reshape a career path.

Be sure to follow Bob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobchapa/ and learn more about Signarama: https://signaramafranchise.com/

Stay connected with Signarama on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signaramafranchising

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signaramafranchising

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/signarama

To email us your questions, you can reach out to [email protected].

Loved this conversation? Be sure to rate, review, and follow us so you don’t miss an episode! Plus, keep up with us on social media for all the latest updates across the United Franchise Group network.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedfranchisegroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedfranchisegroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-franchise-group

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@united-franchise-group/videos

In episode five of FranCast by UFG, the conversation shifts to the franchise owner’s perspective as Mandy Roan, Director of Marketing for Signarama, sits down with Casey Valiant, owner of Signarama Evansville. Casey is a third-generation business owner whose family business dates back to 1957, later converting to Signarama in the 1990s. In the episode, he shares what franchise ownership really looks like, why he sees franchising as a “cheat code” for business ownership, and what it takes to build and grow a business within a franchise system. 

Casey also brings a strong track record to the conversation. He and his family were inducted into the Signarama Hall of Fame in 2014, and he was recognized with the Southwestern Indiana Chamber’s 2018 Small Business of the Year award. More recently, Signarama recognized Casey with its 2026 Bill Schwalje Humanitarian of the Year Award. 

Throughout the episode, Casey talks about the realities of ownership beyond the product itself, including leading people, developing teams, creating an exceptional customer experience, and making the most of the franchise system around you. He also shares why curiosity, optimism, relationships, and continual learning matter so much in long-term business success.

Be sure to follow Casey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyvaliant/ and learn more about Signarama: https://signaramafranchise.com/

Stay connected with Signarama on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signaramafranchising

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signaramafranchising

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/signarama

To email us your questions, you can reach out to [email protected].

Loved this conversation? Be sure to rate, review, and follow us so you don’t miss an episode! Plus, keep up with us on social media for all the latest updates across the United Franchise Group network.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedfranchisegroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedfranchisegroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-franchise-group

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@united-franchise-group/videos

In episode four of FranCast by UFG, host Chad Palmer sits down with Taylor McCarley, Director of Marketing for Black Optix Tint, for a conversation about franchise development, marketing, and how AI is changing the way franchisors attract, qualify, and convert leads. Taylor breaks down the role marketing plays in filling the pipeline, why balancing lead quality and quantity matters, and how franchisors can better position their brands to reach the right prospects. 

The episode also explores why brand websites remain such an important lead driver, how CRMs and data help teams measure performance, and what Taylor sees as one of the biggest emerging challenges in franchise marketing: how brands appear in AI search results. He shares practical insight on AI tools, content strategy, automation, and the growing importance of creating marketing that works for both people and AI-powered search. 

Taylor also walks through a real example of how automation improved speed to lead, reduced response time, and helped the team book meetings faster, showing how the right technology can create meaningful impact across the franchise sales process. If you’re interested in franchise development, AI, lead generation, or the future of franchise marketing, this episode is packed with timely, practical takeaways.

Be sure to follow Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylormccarley/ and learn more about Black Optix Tint: https://blackoptixtintfranchise.com/

Stay connected with Graze Craze on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackoptixtintfranchising

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackoptixtint/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-optix-tint%C2%AE-auto-restlying/

To email us your questions, you can reach out to [email protected].

Loved this conversation? Be sure to rate, review, and follow us so you don’t miss an episode! Plus, keep up with us on social media for all the latest updates across the United Franchise Group network.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedfranchisegroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedfranchisegroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-franchise-group

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@united-franchise-group/videos

In episode three of FranCast by UFG, host Chad Palmer sits down with Meagan Corey, Director of Marketing for Graze Craze, for a conversation about what it really takes to grow a franchise brand through local marketing, community connection, and authentic storytelling. From recurring revenue and localized outreach to customer relationships and social media strategy, Meagan shares how Graze Craze helps franchisees build strong businesses in their own markets. 

The episode also explores how Graze Craze approaches creativity at the brand level, including standout campaigns, franchisee collaboration, and the role of community in driving long-term growth. Meagan breaks down why localized marketing matters, how franchisees help shape strategy, and why authentic, story-driven content is becoming even more important. She also shares a real-world success story that shows how relationship-based marketing can turn a simple gesture into a meaningful business opportunity. 

If you’re interested in franchise marketing, brand growth, or how local relationships can fuel scalable success, this episode offers a practical look inside one of UFG’s fastest-growing brands.

Be sure to follow Meagan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meagan-corey-53965b218/ and learn more about Graze Craze: https://grazecrazefranchise.com/

Stay connected with Graze Craze on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grazecrazefranchising

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grazecrazefranchising/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/graze-craze/

To email us your questions, you can reach out to [email protected].

Loved this conversation? Be sure to rate, review, and follow us so you don’t miss an episode! Plus, keep up with us on social media for all the latest updates across the United Franchise Group network.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedfranchisegroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedfranchisegroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-franchise-group

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@united-franchise-group/videos