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Tipton Shonkwiler, Brand PresidentIts roots can be traced back to 1986 when founder Ray Titus and his father, Roy Titus, started a single Signarama store in New York. He started franchising the next year and soon turned it into a brand with over 700 locations, now part of a larger company—United Franchise Group, that manages more than 10 brands and 1,600 franchise locations in over 60 countries worldwide. The success inspired him to establish AFI, combining his passion for franchising with a firsthand understanding of what it takes to turn a business into a successful franchise.
Unlike traditional consulting service providers that only offer basic setup and advice to clients, AFI stands strong by their side, actively shaping their franchise empire. Over the last three decades, the company has worked with over 200 brands, franchising more than 2500 locations in 80 countries. Its vision is that no business concept should be deprived of success because the owner has limited franchise experience.
“If someone is looking to develop their brand into a franchise, that’s a great way to have something to do for 10–15 years, and it places them in a much greater place to exit later on,” says Tipton Shonkwiler, brand president.
To help achieve this vision, AFI offers end-to-end services, including franchise development, lead generation and international expansion. The company creates scalable and profitable business models that are bound to succeed in the market. It excels in franchise lead generation, connecting brands with qualified buyers and offering targeted sales and marketing support to attract investors. By offering data-driven insights and a deeper understanding of the current market, AFI ensures businesses don’t just survive but thrive.
It stays market-relevant by taking an analytics-based, hands-on approach to franchising. Instead of using a cookie-cutter formula, it continuously refines its methods based on real franchise performance data. By adapting strategies, it creates customized franchise models suited to the client’s objectives. For businesses with underperforming franchises, AFI also provides optimization services to revitalize operations.
If someone is looking to develop their brand into a franchise, that’s a great way to have something to do for 10–15 years, and it places them in a much greater place to exit later on
Unlike consulting firms that focus only on launching franchises, AFI supports businesses through legal challenges and cultural nuances and navigates the complexities of international expansion. It also offers real estate support to find desirable franchise opening sites, ensuring that clients are positioned in places with high foot traffic and room to expand.
The benefits of collaborating with AFI are evidenced in its client success stories. In the case of Malibu Pools, a specialist in luxury outdoor spaces, AFI assisted the brand with its expert guidance, transforming the client from a local business to a thriving franchise with multiple locations. In another instance, the company guided a business to success by setting up 105 franchises within a year.
As evidenced by AFI’s success stories, choosing the correct partner can be the key difference between a booming franchising chain and a failing expansion. The company aims to bridge the gap between a successful business idea and a flourishing franchise.
Its capability to serve diverse industries with excellence, knowledge and precision establishes it as the premier choice within the franchising industry. Dedicated to fostering growth, innovation and operational excellence, AFI empowers every franchise it supports to reach its full potential.
