---
title: "United Defense Tactical Announces Founding Franchisees"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/4ffecddf-c317-4153-9458-583ae1d6a6bf
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20231006_united_defense_tactical_announces_founding_franchisees.html
category: "Fitness"
industry: "Fitness"
published: 2023-10-06T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T20:03:51.571Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1540497077202-7c8a3999166f?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# United Defense Tactical Announces Founding Franchisees

**TL;DR:** United Defense Tactical has announced its founding franchisees, who will be opening locations in California. The franchisees, including Elyas and Stephanie Peshtaz, Paul Davis, and Ray Bowers, were drawn to the business after experiencing the benefits of its self-defense training curriculum.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2023-10-06. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20231006_united_defense_tactical_announces_founding_franchisees.html).*

## Story

“My goal has always been to help keep as many people safe as possible,” said Wes Fox. “I am excited to franchise United Defense Tactical.”

**Elyas and Stephanie Peshtaz** are one of United Defense Tactical’s first franchisees, with their Los Angeles County training center opening this winter. After a random physical attack on the way to Stephanie’s birthday celebration, the couple decided to sign up for self-defense courses and found United Defense Tactical.

“This incident opened our eyes to the harsh reality that we were not prepared for this to happen,” said Elyas. “We decided it was time to learn about self-defense, and we fell in love with the entire curriculum and business model of United Defense Tactical. We are opening our own United Defense Tactical to help our community be properly trained for unprecedented situations.”

**Paul Davis** has been a member of United Defense Tactical for two years and is opening his center in Long Beach, California. As he has progressed through the curriculum, he has seen the demand for dynamic training and creating more responsible firearms owners.

“As a member at United Defense Tactical, the courses have completely changed my life. I’ve seen what this program has done for me, and I want to help bring that to more people,” said Paul. “I want to create a sense of community within my members, and really teach them how to protect themselves.

**Ray Bowers** is another founding franchisee, bringing his United Defense Tactical to Murrieta, California. Ray was introduced to Wes through his flooring business, and after learning about the business model, decided to open his own United Defense Tactical.

“Murrieta does not have anything like United Defense Tactical. I think it’s an important business to bring to my community, and I’m excited about being able to help people defend themselves,” said Ray.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- franchise expansion (topic)
- Fitness (sector)
- new locations (topic)
- Los Angeles County (location)
- Long Beach, California (location)
- self defense training (topic)
- United Defense Tactical (company)
- Elyas Peshtaz (person)
- Stephanie Peshtaz (person)
- Paul Davis (person)
- Ray Bowers (person)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20231006_united_defense_tactical_announces_founding_franchisees.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/4ffecddf-c317-4153-9458-583ae1d6a6bf).