While franchising provides an excellent opportunity to own a small business, it’s an especially good opportunity for veterans. That’s because veterans, through their military experience, have developed qualities including analytical and leadership skills, discipline, resilience and a mission-focused work ethic that help make them successful franchisees.
According to the International Franchise Association’s VetFran program (Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative), about 12% of all franchisees nationwide are veterans and many companies discover that veteran franchisees end up being their strongest performers.
Veterans show strong dedication to their work; they’ll put their all into the business. They are highly capable of handling the daily stresses of business operations and don’t give up easily, demonstrating resilience regarding the daily ups and downs of a business. They also know how to manage personnel,equipment and get results.
Veterans are highly capable of following systems, an ability that is a foundation of any franchisee’s success. Following a proven and tested system ensures that customers receive consistent quality and service at every location. While it’s common for most franchisees to have little or no experience in the franchisor’s industry when they first start, military veterans respond especially well and are very successful in implementing the training they receive from the franchisor’s team.
Franchising Feels Like “We Are On The Same Mission”
Navy veteran Stan Gray, who owns two FASTSIGNS centers in Southern California, credits his time in the service for developing his leadership skills and giving him opportunities to grow. His Navy experience, in particular, taught him the value of teamwork. For successful missions, everyone had to work together to achieve the mission’s goals. This translates well when it comes to franchising, as the whole team at a FASTSIGNS center has to work together for projects to be successful. This is true for any type of franchise: the whole team has to work together for success.
Stan Gray adds that the support he receives from the FASTSIGNS team is invaluable, and he feels that both the franchisor and franchisee are always on the same mission with the same goals, including growing his business, and serving his clients, building a passionate team, and serving the community. As just one example, his center prints and installs banners featuring images of local veterans for his hometown Armed Forces Day Parade in Torrance, CA, the longest-running of such parades in the country.
At Propelled Brands, franchisees are encouraged to network with other franchisees. Moreover, before a military veteran signs a contract with any of the brands, they are encouraged to reach out to a large number of franchisees, including military veterans who are franchisees, to gain insight into the business. This helps to ensure franchisee success and satisfaction.
Franchising Feels Like Family
NerdsToGo and MY SALON Suite, other members of the Propelled Brands family of franchises, also view veterans as ideal candidates for the skill set and team-oriented mindset they cultivate during their military experience. Both brands have developed proven world-class business processes that veterans can buy into and trust that the methods are there to guide them to success.
After retiring from the Air Force, Roger Turnbow worked in information technology for the Department of Defense for 30 years. In 2021, Turnbow became a business owner in San Antonio, Texas when he opened a thriving NerdsToGo franchise.
Turnbow says, “Being part of a franchise is like being part of a team or family. You are connected to a team of people that seek the same goals. The military teaches you that you cannot go far alone.”
Veterans can often tap into a wider customer base and network, in part because they have contact with fellow service members and veterans. Other veterans tend to more readily support veteran-owned businesses. Civilian customers, too, also welcome and patronize veteran-owned businesses.
MY SALON Suite franchisee and former US Navy Nurse Marty Commons says, “When joining the MY SALON Suite franchise, I asked for and received a veteran discount. No one had asked for that before. We are proud that several of our MY SALON Suite members are veterans. We selected the brand because of the semi-absentee landlord model and the fact that we would have no employees. All communication with Suite Management Franchise and other owners was supportive, positive, and exciting.”
Propelled Brands offers a special Veteran Franchise Program with many benefits, including a period of reduced royalties and a discounted initial franchise fee of 50% and financing options. These benefits are also available for first responders such as police, firefighters and emergency services personnel.
Owning a franchise can benefit veterans in many ways as they join a well-established brand with a supportive team backing them.
For more information about Propelled Brands franchise opportunities, please visit https://www.propelledbrands.com/franchising-opportunities/, or contact Mark Jameson at mark.jameson@propelledbrands.com or 214-346-5679.