According to
a 2018 report by the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 18 million Americans are veterans of the armed forces. This is roughly 7% of the adult population. Some of these people have paid the ultimate price, fighting to protect our freedoms.
Offering franchise opportunities tailored explicitly for veterans has been a mission for many companies. Franchisors recognize that veterans like yourself are a perfect fit for franchise ownership.
You've come out of the military with leadership skills and decision-making abilities that give you the essential tools to run a business; your drive and determination will help you meet the demands of franchising.
As an ex-service member, you can take advantage of the opportunities many franchisors offer.
Veteran Opportunities in Franchising
While your skill set allows you to work in any industry, why not consider veteran-focused franchises as an option?
A franchise that puts its focus on you and understands your life experiences is the real winner. The best companies know the value you can deliver and cater to your needs.
Finding a veteran-focused franchise enables you to be a part of a community and network made up of others who have shared similar experiences as you. Franchises founded by veterans
for veterans offer some of the best opportunities for you.
Army Green Beret, Evan Hafer, started Black Rifle Coffee Company in 2014 with a mission to employ veterans and find additional ways to give back to those who've served our country.
One way they do this is through a program to help ex-service members transition from military life into entrepreneurship by assisting in launching their own franchise companies.
Two Men and a Truck Moving Services is another franchise that gives back to service men and women. Besides start-up discounts, they have a program called "Movers for Military" that allows franchisees to work within their communities to collect and deliver essential items to veterans. Their efforts have landed them on the Top 10 Best for Vets list on Military Times' website.
JDog Junk Removal and Hauling is a nationally-recognized brand providing its opportunities exclusively to veteran and their spouses.
JDog believes that consumers appreciate the drive for excellence that you provide. By hiring only veterans, they know consumers get professionals who are more than capable of delivering the best services.
G-FORCE prides itself on being veteran-focused. They've made it their mission to provide opportunities for vets within their franchise model. The company's corporate supporters, Sherwin-Williams®, Graco® Industries, and Stencil Plus help offset the franchise fees with up to $10,000 in value through their generous donations and discounts for G-FORCE franchise partners
G-FORCE goes beyond being a parking lot striping franchise opportunity. The G-FORCE brand encompasses other brands such as MACH ONE epoxy flooring services, FIELD OPS sports markings applications, PAINT CORPS house painting, and much more! Definitely check out the G-FORCE brand on our AUF listing for more information.
Marco's Pizza waives the initial franchise fee for qualifying veterans with a 50% or greater military service-connected disability rating. They also work with the
Department of Defense's SkillBridge program to help veterans transition from military to civilian life.
Spotlighted in Franchise Magazine USA, Dogtopia continues its support of veterans through a
new campaign and partnership with "Painting with a Twist." They are raising money to train and provide service dogs for vets and active military service members.
These are just a sample of the franchises going above and beyond to work with and for veterans. Start-up discounts and other benefits for you, combined with the loan resources available, mean your dream of owning a business is within reach.
Loan Sources and Veteran Franchise Resources
Of course, even with lower initial start-up fees for a franchise, there's still some money for you to come up with. The good news is you're likely eligible for loan assistance programs and many other services to help you get started.
The Small Business Association (SBA) is a great place to begin.
As part of the SBA, The Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) is devoted to the support and promotion of veteran entrepreneurship.
The OVBD helps veterans, service-disabled vets, reservists, active-duty members of the military, transitioning members, and their dependents and survivors take advantage of the SBA's loans and services.
The SBA also has the
Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC), which offers workshops, training, counseling, and mentorships. This program helps you find additional funding resources and helps navigate the loan application process.
Leverage Your Military Skills To Become a Franchise Owner
Cigna, a global health services company, spotlights their military employees in a news article entitled "
How the Military Prepares You for Corporate Life." One employee, Lee Heaton, points out an often-overlooked challenge many veterans face.
"Transitioning from a lifetime of military life to civilian life is difficult," she says. She attributes this to "moving from a well-structured, highly disciplined environment into a more loose, free-form setting." This is why it's so important to consider franchises that find ways to support those who have served our country.
Shawn McBeth, Cigna Network Operations, points out that her attention to detail and patience, which she learned in the military, has paid off in her civilian work. Her advice: "Know that the military has prepared you in every way possible to be the best you can be in everything you do."
What you learned in the military are powerful tools you can take into the business world. Your ability to manage your time, solve problems, lead a team, and finish what you start are qualities that give you an edge over many other candidates.
It's time to leverage your team leadership skills, discipline, and work ethic to build your future by partnering with a franchise that makes you feel like family.
All USA Franchises Is Here To Help
We want to be part of your search for
franchises for veterans. We know you're starting a journey that can change your life, and we're here to help.
With us, you can search franchises by industry or investment, making it easy to find precisely what you're looking for.
While you're here, check out our helpful blogs and other resources. We've gathered all you'll need to find what you're looking for in one place.
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