RecruitMilitary Blog

A few weeks ago, I wrote that more than 1,366 franchises have been sold to military veterans. I wanted to hear a few personal stories so we asked a couple of our clients to tell us about military veterans who were doing well with franchising. We were flooded with responses. Here are the first few; check them out:

1. Rafael Marrero - US Army

Franchise: Jan-Pro

Franchise Business: Commercial cleaning

Military Background: Last assignment was as the NBC NCO (nuclear, biological, and chemical non-commissioned officer) with the 3^rd Battalion of the 5^th Special Forces Group

After leaving the military, I started working as an Auditor with the Department of State Audit in Tennessee. Then I took a position as a Revenue Agent with the IRS in Atlanta, GA. While talking with some cleaning staff, I find out about commercial janitorial franchises. Having been used to performing my own research, I did my homework and studied a couple of franchise opportunities. After my due diligence, I decided to go with Jan-Pro, and this is a decision which I don’t regret. My very first check was a little over $300.Now my average monthly check for gross sales is $50,000. Thanks, Jan-Pro!!

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2. Bob Tuck - US Army

Franchise: Mr. Appliance

Franchise Business: Appliance repair

Military Background: E-4

My franchise with Mr. Appliance® has helped me provide for my family like I never would have been able to do working for someone else. Mr. Appliance helped me with planning and guidance, it gave someone who wouldn’t have been able to be successful in business the opportunity to succeed.

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3. Mike Moritz – US Navy

Franchise: Rainbow International

Franchise Business: Restoration and cleaning

Military Background: E-4

Guys getting out of the military have an excellent opportunity with a Rainbow International® Restoration & Cleaning franchise instead of working at a dead-end job. It’s easy to save money when you are in the military to save up for a franchise with the sign-up bonuses. I like that the colors of my van are red, white, and blue and that my franchise has given me the opportunity to own and run one of the most thought-out and ethical businesses that I have seen.

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4. Mike Anderson – US Navy

Franchise: Aire Serv

Franchise Business: Heating and air conditioning

Military Background: Lieutenant; went in enlisted, then went to the academy

I was in Corporate America and wanted a change. The defined infrastructure was fantastic in my Aire Serv® Heating & Air Conditioning franchise. I like the structure and established systems and procedures that my franchise provides. I also like the independence I have by owning my franchise. A lot of people in the military like me have gained technical skills which can be practiced into a franchise.

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5. Al Barras – US Air Force

Franchise: Glass Doctor

Franchise Business: Auto windshields, home and business glass doors and windows

Military Background: E-7

One of the main things that brought me to Glass Doctor® was the code of values. They are very similar to the military code of conduct, and I lived and breathed them every day. It was amazing to find a company that shared those with me. Franchising is the way to go if you are looking to start your own business. They have done all of the leg work for you. I like the freedom to set my own hours, the ability to grow my company with my hard work, and knowing that I’m improving my business by my hard work.

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6. Brian Heckman – US Army

Franchise: Home Helpers/Direct Link franchise in Stark County, Ohio

Franchise Business: Home Helpers provides care and companionship services for seniors, new mothers, working parents, and others. Direct Link is an in-home emergency monitoring system.

Military Background: Corporal

During my 4-year term of service, I served in Operation Desert Storm. My unit, the 2nd Armored Division, and a Marine division, were charged with liberating Kuwait City, Kuwait. I earned my Corporal stripes during Operation Desert Storm for my leadership ability. I was up for the sergeant board, but I decided to leave the military to pursue my education. Since leaving the United States Army, I completed a BA in Management degree from Malone University.

My wife, Damey, and I are very excited about purchasing an existing Home Helpers and Direct Link franchise in January 2009. Damey, has been a Licensed Practical Nurse for over 10 years and enjoys caring for others.

I feel that owning this franchise will enable me to assist my fellow Veterans. I feel that my military, college education, and business experience will insure that we're a successful franchise and business. We've used these experiences and knowledge to increase our billable hours from an average of 551 per week in 2008 to approximately 840 hours per week so far in 2009. We look forward to continuing to grow and providing this service for our community.

I just came across a few statistics from the International Franchise Assocation (IFA).  One of their long-standing initiatives is a program called VetFran.  They have about 350 different franchisors that are VetFran members - each of these companies has agreed to discount their fee and many have other discounts, programs, and incentives for veterans.

Here is the great news from a recent survey:

• These VetFran franchisors sold 1,366 franchises to veterans
• There are another 222 sales pending
• 134 different companies have sold at least one franchise to a veteran
• Matco Tools and The Dwyer Group are first and second with more than 310 sold between the two

We are out there signing up more and more veteran-friendly franchisors.  If you are a veteran or a military spouse and have interest - and want to see an interview I did about the whole subject - check out our Veteran Franchise Center here.

If you are a franchisor, we provide quite a few different options that work!  Check out our options here.

I was recently interviewed by the good people at Franchise Direct as to the opportunities for veterans in the franchising area.  Please take a look - in this interview I discuss the veteran market, financing options, and some great opportunities in franchising.

 

 

Today, I spent about two and a half hours with James Young, the President of Spring-Green.  We're helping James identify veterans who may wish to get involved with a Spring-Green franchise (if you are interested, click here for more information.)

We spent the majority of the time brainstorming business ideas.  By the end of the conversation, despite the fact that he is the client, I took away more than I gave.  Talking to people like James is uplifting and never boring.  James is an expert in franchising - check out his linked in profile - and he lives and breathes his passion.

James worked with me to think through how we might be able to best serve all of our clients, and he walked me through how I could structure a new partnership with the IFA VetFran program.

So what's the take away?  For business people, it's that every relationship is strengthened when there is an exchange of ideas and services; a quid pro quo.  True networking and the building of long-term productive relationships can only occur when each party contributes something meaningful to the relationship.  Don't look for an immediate payback - it may take months or years.  But be interested; be curious.  Look for ways to constantly help the other party - it will always come back to you.

If you are in career transition, the same principle applies.  Who would you put first in line if they needed help?  Someone who is interested in you and your business - or someone just asking for a job or asking for an introduction?