Global Franchise 9.1

5minuteswith... CHAD PALMER The United Franchising Group’s newly appointed CMO on how he plans to leverage AI, data and digital advancements nited Franchise Group (UFG), the parent company behind several leading brands, has recently appointed Chad Palmer as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Chad has been an integral part of UFG for six years, initially joining as a Digital Marketing Coordinator in 2018 and holding various positions since, including Vice of Franchise Development and VP of Digital Marketing. In his new role, Palmer will be responsible for overseeing the marketing strategies for UFG’s huge portfolio of franchise brands, including Cannoli Kitchen Pizza, U Exit Factor, Big Flavor Brands, and Vast CoWorking. Additionally, UFG’s Starpoint Brands division comprises well-known franchises such as Signarama, Office Evolution, Transworld Business Advisors, Venture X and more. Reflecting on his time with UFG, Palmer remarked on the company’s remarkable growth trajectory over the past few years, describing it as “non-stop and incredible.” Palmer is primed for the challenge of the CMO role, leaning into future technology to lead the strategy. “We are already diving into using AI to make drastic improvements and are poised to be an AI leader in franchising,” he says. “I’m excited to continue to find ways to synergize our marketing and sales teams to be both agile and effective in implementing strategies across our brands.” GF: Chad, congratulations on your promotion! Reflecting on your journey so far with the company, what thoughts come to mind as you step into this new role? I am thrilled and honored to serve as the new Chief Marketing Officer for United Franchise Group (UFG). My personal journey with the company has been incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to continuing to build upon our past achievements and more importantly contribute to our future success. It has been an amazing experience seeing our company grow and acquire more brands over the years that I’ve been here. What excites you most about the marketing opportunities for UFG and what plans will you roll out first? I’m excited about the opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence (AI), data-driven insights and innovative marketing strategies to elevate UFG and help drive our growth. One of my initial plans is to explore and implement AI in new areas of the company such as “Ultimately, I hope to leave a legacy of innovation, growth, and inspiration” INTERVI EW 76 GLOBAL FRANCHISE | ISSUE 9.1