Don’t talk to Fully Promoted (asi/384000) about an economic downturn; the Top 40 distributor is having none of it.

In an announcement made Aug. 22, Fully Promoted said that so far it has experienced record-high sales in 2023. A specific number wasn’t disclosed, but the firm has previously said it expects annual North American promotional products revenue to rise about 9% over 2022 to approximately $135 million, which would be a new high-water mark.

Andrew Titus, Fully Promoted

The Florida-headquartered company, which operates a franchising model, noted that new location growth is up 15% and that it has opened eight new franchisee locations – domestically and internationally – to date in 2023. Another four or five locations are scheduled to open before August’s end, the firm said.

The positive momentum, executives said, is further evidenced by the fact that Fully Promoted has signed 24 franchise agreements year-to-date – meaning more new locations will eventually be opening. Among those agreements is a deal for a new Master License for the United Kingdom with Jamal Abdul Shah, a businessman who enters the merch market from the financial industry, according to the Top 40 distributor.

“Our primary focus going into this year was growing our brand – both from a systemwide and unit-level standpoint,” said Andrew Titus, president of Fully Promoted. “We’re thrilled to see positive momentum in both these areas of our business with even more to come. The key to our collective success so far this year has been prioritizing our valued clients through attraction, retention and engagement.”

In business for 23 years, Fully Promoted recently held its annual brand convention in Chicago.

Attended by franchise owners, vendor partners and company leadership, the event kicked off with a welcome session co-presented by Titus and Vice President of Operations Michelle Longueira and went on to feature three days of brand updates, panel discussions and networking mixers. An owner townhall meeting, moderated by ASI President/CEO Timothy Andrews, was among the highlights, which included an awards ceremony and dinner where Fully Promoted recognized outstanding franchise owners.

Fully Promoted is an affiliated brand of United Franchise Group (UFG). At the convention, UFG CEO Ray Titus presented on how franchise owners can embrace key differentiators and new technologies to drive greater performance this year into the next, the company said.

“2023 is already proving to be a tremendous year for Fully Promoted – the system is growing, franchise owners are breaking sales records, and there are exciting things happening behind the scenes that will enhance operations across the board,” said Ray Titus. “You can feel the energy and excitement surrounding this brand, which reaffirms the best is yet to come.”

Full Promoted franchisers recognized during the awards included:

• Hall of Fame Inductees: Michelle Bottino (St. Charles & Schaumburg, IL); Garrick Jacobi (Boise, ID); Jeff Moffett (Overland Park, KS)
• MVP Award: Garrick Jacobi (Boise, ID)
• President’s Awards: Todd Diskin (Olathe, KS); Robert & Tina Pouliot (Raritan, NJ)
• Team Player: Fernando & Cristina Bertero (Cleveland, OH); Sal Calautti (Bedford & Nashua, NH); Alice McCalla (Houston, TX); Jo-Anne Reeger (Conroe & The Woodlands, TX); Jeff & Dina Slain (Fishers, IN)
• Most Improved: Robert Steffek & Michelle Monhollen (Centerville, OH); Bill Wheatley (Cedar Hill, TX)
• Rookie of the Year: Doug Jakobitz (Urbandale, IA); Jim Palombo & Kathleen Mawanay (Oceanside, CA)
• Humanitarian of the Year: Maude & Dan Swearingen (Arbutus, MD)
• JJ Prendamano Mentor of the Year: Cristina Bertero (Cleveland, OH)
• Fully Promoted Years of Excellence (20 Years): Conroe, TX; Hackensack, NJ; Morristown, NJ; Peoria, IL; West Palm Beach, FL; Westminster, MD

Based on reported 2022 North American promotional product revenue of $123.7 million, Fully Promoted ranked 21^st on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry.