Jason McGowan’s story is a reminder never to give up in the face of adversity. He dropped out of school in the eighth grade and, over time, taught himself to create websites, a skill that sparked a lifelong fascination with technology. At one low point he slept on the floor of a friend’s home for about six months, yet he kept learning and striving, buoyed by a phrase his mother often repeated: You can do anything.

That self-taught expertise carried him far before Crumbl existed. McGowan created We’re Related, the first app of its kind, which connected more than one hundred twenty million users to their family roots. He built it at FamilyLink, later acquired by Ancestry.com, and went on to help develop other digital products, making technology a defining thread of his early career.

Today, as Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Crumbl, McGowan leads one of the fastest-growing dessert companies in America. What began in 2017 as a single location in Logan, Utah, has grown to more than 1,100 locations across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, achieving over a billion dollars in system-wide sales by its fifth year and creating opportunity for hundreds of franchise partners. Collectively the brand employs more than 30,000 people.

Three qualities make McGowan a leader in his industry: exceptional generosity, dedication to innovation and commitment to excellence. His generosity shows in a policy granting headquarters employees every Friday off during the summer, along with funds to build memories with loved ones. That benefit has sent employees on vacations and sparked lasting traditions, creating a culture where people are eager to give their best. His Titan 100 Honoree recognition reflects that culture.

Innovation runs just as deep. The same instinct that drove him to build pioneering digital products now fuels relentless product development at Crumbl, from early recipe testing to constant collaboration with customers who shape what the brand offers. That customer obsession keeps Crumbl in lockstep with what people actually want.

His achievements have drawn national attention. In 2023 McGowan became the first person ever from the Mountain West region to receive the prestigious EY entrepreneur of the year national winner award, and he is also a recipient of BusinessQ Magazine’s 40 under 40 honor.

His life outside the company grounds everything else. McGowan immigrated from Canada and is now a proud American citizen, and without question his proudest accomplishment is his family, including his wife Whitney and their seven children.

The road ahead centers on the company’s mission to bring friends and family together over the best desserts in the world, with global expansion at the forefront. Wherever customers may be, he wants Crumbl there for all their dessert needs. McGowan sums up his outlook with characteristic energy: Be fearless in the pursuit of the undiscovered, innovate at every chance, be more generous than you think and create meaningful moments with those who matter most.

Editorial Note: This profile reflects information submitted by the honoree at the time of their Titan 100 recognition in August 2026. Professional roles and affiliations may have changed since publication.