AAFES: A Program driving the American dream and defending those that are a part of it

Military servicemen and servicewoman have relied on the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, AAFES, for 115 years. The AAFES website states the Exchange’s mission loud and clear: “The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (the Exchange) has an enduring mission to provide quality merchandise and services to its customers at competitively low prices and to generate earnings which provide a dividend to support morale, welfare and recreation programs.” AAFES has helped supply more than 2,000 fast food restaurants and 1,100 other facilities worldwide in more than 30 countries, five U.S. territories and 50 states according to the website. Through partnerships with several brands, AAFES has helped build restaurants, specialty stores and movies theaters on military installations across the world. Because of this, families of military servicemen and servicewomen have received the opportunity of civilian employment. According to the AAFES website, “Among more than 43,000 Exchange Associates, some 30% are military family members. Another 1% are military members who work part time in Exchanges during their off-duty hours.” Not only does AAFES help provide military families and candidates with civilian job opportunities, but also gives a percentage of earnings to many different military programs including the US Army Installation Management Command, G-9, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs and to Air Force Services. According to the AAFES website, $248.7 million were raised through the Exchange in 2010. Many restaurant brands have partnered with AAFES to provide their services to individuals living on military bases. Some examples of these heavy-hitting restaurant brands include Wing Zone, Burger King, Popeyes Kitchen, Taco Bell, Cinnabon and Captain D’s. According to a Wing Zone press release, AAFES has helped Wing Zone expand onto military bases, planning an additional 15 military locations for 2012. “We have had a big 2011 and our first double-digit franchisee’s opening marks the proven beginning to our focused multi-unit/multi-brand growth initiative. To have an established franchisee like AAFES join our system is further proof that the advancement that we made internally are executable externally,” said Matt Friedman, CEO and Founder of Wing Zone. AAFES acts as the franchisee for each brand that the program partners with. Because of this, the quality of life is improved for individuals that are serving in the military through funds and improved facilities. A large percentage of the exchanges funds are also used to improve and maintain state of the art buildouts of each franchise unit purchased. Janice Loundagin is one military candidate that has benefitted from the AAFES program. Janice received a job as a Burger King Manager through AAFES, and just recently became the Facility Manger for the Wing Zone located on Fort Carson in Colorado. Janice further explains that “AAFES helps connect military candidates with civilian careers.” Janice will be running the Fort Carson Wing Zone with her husband acting as a supervisor for the location. AAFES provides franchising brands with a unique partnership opportunity. Not only is AAFES helping these brands expand into military base markets, but it is also a program that helps better the quality of life for America’s service men and women. The Exchange program is helping drive American business while also contributing to the defense of the country.