The process of transitioning out of the military is full of unknowns. After dedicated service to our country, service members find themselves looking to do something new. Some, like my grandfather, turn a lifelong hobby into a profession. Others find employment in a new field or further their education. For many, however, leaving the military provides the means for entrepreneurial opportunity. Owning one’s own business is a facet of the American dream, something many aspire to do but don’t take the first steps to begin. Of course, small business ownership is full of unknowns.
Business aspects like financing, real estate, human resources, and training weigh upon aspiring veteran entrepreneurs. There are so many steps to take to begin, that many never take a step at all. Of course, there is another way. A franchise business answers these questions, providing a proven, tested model for entrepreneurs, with many of the unknowns removed from the equation. Employee training, product offerings, marketing and support are often entirely taken care of, letting service members focus on the exciting part: opening the doors of their new small business to their community.
The Case for Franchising
The franchise business model is unique in many ways. In a non-franchised business, owners find themselves on their own, blazing a trail full of questions and changes. The franchise model is entirely different. Built upon relationships and community, franchises are designed as a two-way street. Military veterans are used to working as a team alongside their fellow soldiers. The military forges lifelong relationships built upon mutual respect and trust. The same occurs in franchise business ownership. Franchise brands care and trust for their franchisees, as each individual business is crucial to their growth and success. Franchises depend upon constant communication between the franchisee and the franchise brand.
Franchisees are part of a community. Most systems bring their franchisees together every year to listen to one another and exchange ideas. Franchisees also communicate with one another, learning how to improve their sales and efficiency by building on the experiences of those before them. It is the polar opposite of the “go it alone” mindset of starting a small business, where every question is new and must be answered. Franchisees share insights with each other, showing that in a franchise system, veterans can be “in business for themselves, but not by themselves.”
In addition, veterans are more likely to outperform their non-veteran peers in franchising. VetFran data from a 2014 study indicates that franchise brands are overwhelmingly interested in having veterans as franchise candidates, with 97% of franchise companies surveyed responding that veterans are a great fit as franchisees in their system. Veterans with a military mindset understand the execution of standard operating procedures, which happens to be the basis of franchising.
Where to Begin
Veterans don’t have to find their next chapter alone. VetFran, a part of the IFA Foundation, is here to be a guiding light in the search for franchise opportunities. VetFran has been helping veterans find their next step for nearly 30 years, working with thousands of veterans thus far. We are a source for both guidance and education. Over 550 franchise companies are members of VetFran, each offering at least 10% off of their franchise fee to qualified veterans. Some even waive their entire franchise fee, while others provide additional benefits like equipment and real estate help. All VetFran franchises are screened and verified to ensure that their company meets our requirements for entry into the program. With VetFran, veterans can rest assured that they are working with companies who understand their service and sacrifice.
VetFran is also a source of education and resources. Our toolkit contains selected information from our partners to help veterans make sense of the current business landscape and learn more about franchising. The all-new VetFran Interview Series brings together franchise executives and industry titans to explain the principles of franchising, as well as some insider tips. VetFran has partners and supplier members that can connect veterans to business mentoring and funding opportunities. There are even discounts available to existing veteran franchisees on business services like payroll and company uniforms.
VetFran is here to give back to our nation’s veterans by guiding them to their next step. We encourage veterans to visit VetFran.org to connect with us and explore their options, as there’s never been a better time to get involved.
“Military veterans are an ideal match for franchising because they know how to lead from the front and follow a system to success. While our armed forces have worked hard on interviewing skills and resume writing to help exiting members land “jobs”, they are not well equipped to help those interested in owning their own business. VetFran fills this gap and provides education about and connection to business ownership through franchising.”
Steve White, President & COO of PuroClean and Chair of VetFran
– Matt Wiggins
Matt Wiggins is the VetFran Coordinator for the IFA Foundation. As the leader of the revered VetFran program, Matt works to connect our nation’s former service members to their next chapter in small business ownership. VetFran has a nearly 30-year history of success with helping veterans to find success in entrepreneurship through franchise businesses. Matt has traveled the country to meet with veterans face-to-face and share his insights into the world of franchising, delivering workshops and seminars to hundreds of interested service members. Matt launched VetFran’s nationwide ambassador network, aiding in fostering a connection between successful veteran franchisees and those aspirational to become business owners. His experience as the member of a military family has fueled his resolve to ensure that the franchise community does its part to give back to those who have served.