Aaron Rose’s early investment in franchise education is paying off. A mere three years after graduating from Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Rinker School of Business, Rose is a North American operations manager at SuperGreen Solutions, which is based in Bel Air, Maryland.
Rose was the first student to enroll in franchising courses with Dr. John P. Hayes in the Titus Center for Franchising at Palm Beach Atlantic, which is where he met SuperGreen Solutions CEO and Titus Center Advisory board member Dan Dubell — who immediately wanted to hire him, Hayes said.
Students like Rose earn a concentration in franchising by completing 12 credit hours, including a paid internship, to prepare them for work with franchisors or franchisees across various industries.
Members of the Titus Center Advisory Board like Dubell get the first chance to recruit highly-prepared students who rise to the top of hiring lists. Now, Rose is paying it forward by hiring an intern from among the Titus Centers’ current crop of students.
Study and go into business at the same time
Titus Center students don’t need to wait until they graduate to start doing business. Senior Hogan McFadden owns and operates a screen printing and embroidery business, which he started about two and a half years ago with fellow business student Chris Pappas.
Recently, McFadden and another franchising student, Micah Droescher, bought a franchise of The Patch Boys, a drywall repair company. Hayes taught them to ‘ask good questions’ as they vetted potential franchises and franchisors vetted them, McFadden said.
McFadden and Droescher aren’t the first Titus Center students to buy a franchise, either, Hayes said. Cole Sossamon bought Challenge Island, a science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) educational enrichment program.
As a graduate, he was awarded $130,000 from the Kobel Franchise Challenge to buy and operate a Talem Home Care franchise in Nashville, Tennessee. Sossamon said he felt confident in his research to buy Talem because of the preparation he received from the Titus Center.
Students have the opportunity to go on international study tours to learn about global franchising. Paul Brockley, a 2020 graduate, leveraged connections from the trip to earn a fellowship with the German Franchise Association and multiple job offers. He now works as a franchise development specialist for TBC Corporation.
Titus Center students also receive sponsorships to attend conferences such as the International Franchise Association Annual Convention and Springboard, a conference for emerging franchisors.
Online certificates are on their way, too
Soon, the Titus Center will expand its operations to include an online franchise certificate for professionals who want to get a competitive edge or switch careers. The certificate is for non-degree-seeking students and can be completed anytime, anywhere, including internationally. Topics covered include how to franchise your business, how to buy a franchise and franchise operations and management.
For current franchising professionals, the Titus Center hosts the Selling Franchises Bootcamp every January. The bootcamps aim to ignite growth for emerging and mature franchise concepts.
The Titus Center for Franchising Advisory Board is accepting new members. Members get to know highly-qualified graduates, give classroom talks and network with the international franchising community.
At a Glance Titus Center
Year established: 2017
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Contact: john_hayes@pba.edu
