TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Shows Support for Veterans Within the Franchise System and Beyond

With more than  430 locations , TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, a national, full-service franchised moving company, has a wide reach and impacts many communities. The franchisor has demonstrated its commitment to supporting veterans through multiple efforts, including building a veteran-friendly system and running Movers for Military®, which is a campaign that was created by TWO MEN AND A TRUCK that collects and distributes essential items for veterans and military families in need.

“We have worked to create a system that shows its appreciation for veterans and their service in meaningful ways, and through this, we’ve been able to impact veterans both in and out of the system,” said Randy Shacka, president of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK.  “Whether it’s an incentive that will help veterans achieve business ownership or our franchisees working within their communities to assist veterans with any needs they may have, we continue to seek out ways to help.”

Through veteran-focused ownership incentives, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has helped dozens of veterans reach business ownership goals with a lower barrier to entry. Since 2005, the franchisor has offered a 10% discount on the franchise fee for qualified veterans; currently, there are 32 franchise units owned by veterans. 

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is also a member of VetFran, a strategic initiative of the International Franchise Association that is meant to communicate the great potential that awaits in veteran-franchisor matches. The group matches franchisees with opportunities that may be a great fit for them and supports franchisors in ensuring their systems are as veteran-friendly as possible. Clearly, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has taken advantage of this guidance as both veterans within its system and other industry giants have taken note of the opportunity.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK was recognized as a top franchise for veterans by the Franchise Business Review last year, and over the course of the past decade, the opportunity has also been recognized by Entrepreneur and Military Times as a great fit for veterans.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Veteran Franchisees Share Their Pathways to Ownership

Both the Boise, Idaho and Delmarva, Delaware locations are owned by veterans.

Terry Bruns, owner of the Boise TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, launched his business over a decade ago. After serving in the U.S. Air Force for four years, Bruns spent 25 years doing other work before discovering TWO MEN AND A TRUCK and deeply connecting with the business and its values.

“As I was looking for a business opportunity in 2012, I really connected with the values of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK system,” he explained. “My experience in logistics, which started in the USAF, would help greatly with running a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise.”

Bruns added there are a lot of similarities between the franchise system and military experience. There are set ways of operating in both environments, and having these guidelines can be especially helpful when working to launch a new business. 

“With that being said, you need the ability to adapt to the situation, as well,” added Bruns. “Everything is not cookie-cutter in either organization.”

By bringing his own experience to the system while relying on the established processes wherever possible, Bruns has been able to build a successful, fulfilling business that offers a level of camaraderie he has been otherwise unable to find in other civilian workspaces. Looking back on his journey, Bruns encourages other veterans to consider investing, too.

“Opening a business can feel like a huge step and knowing that TWO MEN AND A TRUCK appreciates the time you served your country enough to offer a veterans discount was very meaningful to me,” explained Bruns. “I personally really identified with the values and the mission that we have at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, and I have a feeling many other former military personnel would have a similar connection to those values and mission.”

Jeremy Brown, who owns the Delmarva location, started his TWO MEN AND A TRUCK journey during his decades-long stint of service in the U.S. Air Force. After enlisting in the Air Force just after basic training and tech school, Brown quickly began to learn a range of skills, including missile maintenance and weapons systems operations before being accepted into Officer Training School and Undergraduate Pilot Training. He underwent another 24 months of vigorous training before flying multiple missions around the world. However, after an unexpected health issue, Brown was left unable to fly and had to make a tough decision. Would he move into a non-flying role but remain on Active Duty, or would he make a transition?

“I chose to transition to the Air Force Reserves and pursue an additional career beyond (really in addition to) the military,” explained Brown. “After a lot of career exploration, I joined the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK family. While getting my feet under me as a new franchisee, I continued to serve in a reserve capacity while assigned to the 512th Airlift Wing and Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.”

This transition was in 2014. Brown had four young children who had just started school in a new community, and he had his heart set on finding an opportunity that would not require the entire family to uproot their lives and move across the country.

“I had always had an entrepreneurial spirit, so before conceding and making the decision to move, we elected to explore some business ownership opportunities,” he added. “We did a lot of franchise research and went through the introductory process with several brands. Almost by chance, even though I had never heard of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, I discovered that the local franchise was for sale, and the rest is history. Not only did I feel the closest connection with all the folks I met within the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK system, but it also felt like the brand that most closely aligned with all my military experience.”

As he worked to take over an operating business in his community and begin to lay the foundation for a concept that could scale in a way that fit his own lifestyle, all while continuing to serve in the Air Force, Brown relied on the systems available to him but also recognized the value of his own discipline and willingness to contribute to the success of his team members for the sake of the overarching business.

“While it feels like there is a correlation between almost everything I did in the military, the most significant things that come to mind are the discipline that is necessary, the team-oriented environment, the constant development of teammates and subordinates, the variability of days from one to the next and the tangible sense of accomplishment you have when you’re done with a move or mission,” explained Brown.

Brown’s experience with this bodes well for other veterans looking to join the system, too. In addition to military incentives and a veteran-friendly system overall, Brown said TWO MEN AND A TRUCK really does set veterans up for success when they enter the system. As he has grown his own business to a multi-unit operation, Brown has been a mover, marketer, bookkeeper, HR administrator and everything in between, all with the help of a proven system backing him.

“I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to make the transition to civilian life. What industry to choose, what company… ‘Where does the road lead if I choose this job over that one?’ I can say that one of the most consistent themes across the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand is the willingness and desire to promote and develop leaders from within,” he explained. “At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, degrees, certifications and resumés aren’t the differentiators; rather, work ethic and willingness to learn and lead are what can set you apart, and I know that these are traits our veterans hold in abundance.”

While TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is always glad to welcome veterans to its system as owners, the franchise recognizes this is not the only way it can have an impact on the veteran community.

Movers for Military Supports Veterans in Need

In addition to providing entrepreneurial opportunities and support to veterans, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK provides essential support for veterans in the communities it operates in to further its impact.

Movers for Military is a campaign that franchises can run where they collect essential items with help from the community and distributes them to military families and veterans in need. In 2022, 11,770 items were collected and donated to different veteran organizations thanks to the support of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchises. 

“We team up with local businesses, schools and organizations that hold their own collections of gently used clothing and personal hygiene items,” explained Gaby Maridueña, marketing coordinator for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK of San Diego. “To make participation as easy as possible, we provide collection boxes and materials and handle all pick-up and delivery of donations in time for Veterans Day.”

This campaign is run in partnership with the Veterans Village of San Diego with the goal of supporting veterans and raising awareness of some of the challenges veterans face.

“Since our opening, we have delivered tens of thousands of clothing items and personal care supplies to homeless veterans served by Veterans Village of San Diego,” added Maridueña. “Movers for Military ran by the San Diego location deeply touches the Veterans Village of San Diego by providing essential support, raising awareness, and fostering a tight-knit community. With each donation, it brings warmth and comfort to veterans and their families, honoring their sacrifices and creating a meaningful impact.”

For more information on Movers for Military, franchising, or to find an open position with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, please visit twomenandatruck.com.