Jeremy Eide leads the Billings TWO MEN AND A TRUCK location, building a business to support fellow veterans in his community.
Many veterans leave military service with leadership skills, discipline, and a strong work ethic. Translating those qualities into civilian careers can take time. Franchising and jobs at franchises often provides a path that allows veterans to apply those strengths while building something of their own.
Jeremy Eide, a Marine veteran and the general manager of the Billings, Montana, location of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, discovered that opportunity through an unexpected series of events. Today, he operates the Billings location while also investing in a branch serving the Bozeman and Belgrade area.
In 2020, he moved from Seattle to Montana to start a food truck business. The venture did not work out as planned. After stepping away from the food truck, Eide began exploring real estate investment opportunities. While connecting with veteran organizations in Billings, he met another veteran preparing to open a moving company.
That introduction led him to the opening of a new TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise in Billings.
Working Through the Ranks
Eide joined the Billings location as a customer service representative when the office was still in its early stages. His willingness to learn the business quickly led to advancement.
“I started from the ground up. I’ve done the moving,” he said. “I started as a customer service rep and moved all the way up to general manager and then ownership of a branch. I’ve been able to see every different level of the moving business here.”
Hands-on experience helped shape his leadership approach. Daily work includes coordinating crews, managing customer relationships and guiding the team that serves the Billings community.
Employees at the location follow a company core value known as THE GRANDMA RULE®. The principle encourages team members to treat every customer the way they would want their own grandmother treated.
As the Billings operation gained momentum, leaders within the company began looking at nearby markets for expansion. The Bozeman and Belgrade area quickly rose to the top of the list, and discussions about the new branch soon included Eide as a potential investor. Stepping into ownership reinforced his belief in the franchise system.
“I love the idea of franchising,” Eide said. “Franchising is, to me, a proven model with support on the back end. I was excited to get into something from the ground up in a different market, but with a lot of support on the back end.”
Supporting Veterans in the Community
Military service continues to influence Eide’s priorities as a business leader. Supporting fellow veterans has become an important focus for the Billings operation.
“I am always looking for opportunities to assist our veterans,” Eide said. “The Marines taught me that we take care of our own and the less fortunate. I am thankful that TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has given our team the opportunity to provide moving services for veterans who are not able to move themselves.”
For example, the 3 For Free Giveaway provides complimentary moving services to deserving veterans in the area. Residents began submitting nominations in September through an online entry form, and the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Billings team selected winners on Veterans Day.
Strong participation during the program’s first year encouraged the team to expand the initiative. Six veterans were selected to receive free moving services. One of them was Manny Sedillos.
Sedillos served in the U.S. Air Force from August 1981 to December 1992 before continuing his service with the New Mexico Air National Guard from April 1993 to September 2008. His nearly 27 years of service included deployments and assignments across multiple countries including Korea, England, Denmark, Kuwait, Iraq and Turkey. As a munitions system specialist, he inspected, assembled, and managed munitions within the Air Force inventory.
“When I found out I had won this free move from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we weren’t ready to relocate yet, but they assured us they would be there when we were,” Sedillos said. “Now we are ready, and it makes me feel extremely lucky and blessed to know they’re going to help us. It takes so much stress out of the moving process. My wife and I are very grateful for the assistance.”
Moving Veterans Forward
From supporting military families during PCS moves to helping veterans transition into meaningful civilian careers, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is committed to moving veterans forward
— in business, in their communities and in life.
Franchising can provide a clear path into business ownership as the leadership and discipline developed during military service often translate well into running a business.
With over 30 franchise units owned by veterans, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK continues to grow its reputation as a veteran-friendly franchise. The brand has offered a veteran discount on the franchise fee since 2005, which was recently increased to 20% off.
Eide’s experience shows how franchising with brands like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK can create opportunities for veterans to build successful businesses while continuing to serve their communities.