Leadership Team

Tony Foley, CFE
President

Tony Foley brings 17 years of domestic / international business and franchising expertise to his role as head of World Franchisors.

From 1989 to 1995, he was instrumental in helping SIGNARAMA grow from a small, regional group of sign stores to the sign industry’s dominant U.S. franchise, serving as its vice president of domestic franchise sales. This success made him the natural choice to lead SIGNARAMA’s international expansion effort in 1995 – a decision that has resulted in explosive global growth. Thanks to his efforts, SIGNARAMA is now the world’s largest sign franchise with more than 850 locations in 50 countries.

In 2003, Tony was tapped to manage another international expansion – this one for EMBROIDME, the embroidery industry’s largest and most successful franchise. Thus far, his expertise has helped EMBROIDME grow into a 300-location company, with a presence in Canada and Australia, prompting Entrepreneur to name it one of the fastest-growing franchise systems.

In late 2004, at the encouragement of his satisfied SIGNARAMA and EMBROIDME customers, he launched World Franchisors. As such, he applies the knowledge gained over nearly a decade and a half of franchising and global involvement to help other companies with their international franchise launches.

In his “spare” time, Tony travels throughout the world, where he is a frequent speaker at franchising and global franchising events. He is the author of numerous articles on franchising and international expansion and holds a degree in business management and environmental studies from Florida International University. He also has received the Certifed Franchise designation from the Insititue of Franchise Executives from Washington DC.

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Israel Garcia
Franchise Specialist

Israel Garcia brings a great deal of franchise experience to United Franchise Group Services. Prior to joining our team, he was a Regional Manager for SIGNARAMA responsible for expanding the franchise network in the State of Florida. He is a graduate of Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Florida and earned a degree in International Business Management. Israel is bi-lingual, fluent in Spanish and English and also assists our international expansion clients.

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Gareth Grant
Managing Director - Australia

Gareth Grant has been in Franchising for over 10 years, since opening his first SIGNARAMA in North Sydney in 1997. Gareth opened a second location in 2002 in Artarmon; the businesses were ranked amongst the most successful in the Australia with the North Sydney store one of the most successful SIGNARAMA stores worldwide out of 750 outlets. Gareth has assisted the Australian SIGNARAMA corporate office develop buying groups, Franchisee Mentor program, Franchisee steering committees, training programs and represented Australia many times at International SIGNARAMA conferences. SIGNARAMA North Sydney was a finalist in the 2003 NSW FCA awards, won the" Best Franchise" for the My Business magazine in 2004 and ranked was in the 2004 "BRW Fast 100" privately owned companies.

Gareth is the Australian Managing Director FranchiseMart and World Franchisors, and has been instrumental in establishing the two companies.

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