For Sami Fossat, success with Signarama France didn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of family dedication, global experience, and the mentorship he gained from United Franchise Group’s corporate team.
Sami’s parents, expatriates from France and Lebanon, were first introduced to Signarama in the early 2000s. With no signage experience, they traveled to UFG headquarters for training. What stood out wasn’t just the systems or tools—it was the people.
“They expected a tough, corporate culture,” Sami explains. “Instead, they found leaders like Ray Titus who had strong family values and were committed to helping businesses grow. That’s what made them trust UFG.”
In 2002, his parents opened the flagship Signarama in Paris. Over the next two decades, they grew the network to 65 locations.
At first, Sami wasn’t planning to join the family business. After studying business in France, he joined UFG’s Fast Track program in 2014, interning at headquarters and working in the field with Regional Vice Presidents across the U.S.
“Corporate gave me incredible mentors,” Sami says. “AJ Titus, JT Tatem, Jeff Thompson, Tipton Shonkwiler, Michael White, Ray—they all taught me not just operations, but how to lead, connect, and grow.”
Those lessons carried him across borders. Sami later opened UFG’s London office to recruit master franchisees throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. In 2023, he returned to France, stepping into leadership as Director of Sales. Since then, the brand has grown from 45 to 65 locations around the country, with Sami focused on developing the next generation of owners.
For him, the link between corporate and franchisees is strengthened every time U.S. owners travel to France and French owners engage with them in return—proving that shared perspective fuels growth. “Even with language and cultural differences, when our owners hear from leaders like Bob Chapa, Maggie Harlow, and Dawn Bent, they see that we’re one brand, and one family. That perspective inspires them.”
Today, Sami continues to bridge cultures and countries—but always with one message: UFG’s corporate support gave him the foundation to succeed, and now he’s bringing that same support to every Signarama franchisee in France.
Celebrating successful franchise leaders at United Franchise Group promoting business expansion.