Government, Private and Public Sectors Come Together to Get Veterans Back to Work

According to a release from the United States Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for veterans who have served since 9/11 is at 12.1 percent, well above the national unemployment rate. What’s even more troubling is the unemployment rate of our youngest veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, which is a staggering 29 percent. This is why the International Franchise Association (IFA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is holding “VetFran Independence Day” media events across the nation to highlight the job opportunities available in the franchise industry for our returning military heroes. “While we have always promoted our VetFran program to returning veterans, we have never done an event like this with the VFW or the U.S. Chamber before,” said Beth Solomon, vice president of strategic initiatives and industry relations for the IFA. “To have all these different sectors come together, private, public and government, in an effort to support our veterans and help them find jobs, is extraordinary. Our industry has really responded with enthusiasm and strength.” The lead event, titled the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Veterans and Small Business Conference and Expo, will take place June 26-28 in Detroit. The event in Detroit is expected to draw 6,000 veterans looking for jobs, and will feature a franchising pavilion and hiring fair with participation from some of the best-known franchise brands in the country. Similar events will take place on June 28 in 14 other cities across the nation, in cooperation with the U.S. Chamber, local Chambers of Commerce, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. At the same time, the IFA will launch a free, online Veterans Franchise Toolkit that will help connect veterans to business leaders and opportunities. Brent Alvord, president of Lenny’s Sub Shop, thought it fitting that Lenny’s will have a presence at the expo in Detroit as he views the franchise as patriotic at heart. “Being that our company’s colors are red, white and blue, it’s only fitting that we seek out veterans who have served our country and set them up for success,” said Alvord. “We found that veterans have the discipline that it takes in order to follow a franchise system, and we love recruiting sharp veterans who want to make the jump into the entrepreneurial world.” Melanie Bergeron, Chairperson of Two Men and a Truck, agrees that veterans make for some of the best franchise operators. “Some of our most successful owners and operators have been veterans,” said Bergeron. “They understand processes and accountability, they are results driven and are focused on core values and mission statements. From within the ranks or the outside, they are a great fit for franchising.” This is the first event of its kind that Two Men and a Truck has participated in. Since the company is based in Michigan and Bergeron is on the Board of Directors for the IFA, she spearheaded the event with Solomon, and encouraged involvement from multiple franchise brands. “There’s a strong feeling of gratitude among the franchise community for our service members. Knowing that they are coming back and knowing what the economy is like, we truly want to help them on the path of moving forward with their lives.” According to Bergeron, Michigan is one of the worst performing states when it comes to getting veterans back to work. This is why the Detroit expo is especially key to the overall initiative of finding veterans jobs. “Most simply, it’s good for the economy,” said Bergeron. “When veterans are working again, they are able to buy services and products, pay taxes and be active participants in the economy. The least we can do with an event like this is expose veterans to the opportunities that are out there.” Christopher Jackson, director of marketing and branding for College Hunks Hauling Junk, another Michigan-based franchise participating in the Detroit expo, agrees with Bergeron. “The Detroit area is home to 700,000 veterans, so this strikes home with us,” said Jackson. “With hundreds of thousands more across the country, It’s going to take a franchising-wide effort to make an impact and get the momentum going so that it becomes a standard thing in our industry for people to continue to seek out veterans  for opportunities.” Jackson also encourages different franchise brands to work together to make sure that veterans are placed in the best possible system. “If we have a veteran candidate that is the right fit for franchising but maybe not in our system, we should work together as an in industry to make sure we find the right brand for that veteran.” Solomon already sees that happening based on the fantastic participation from the franchising community at the Detroit expo. “To have over 40 companies willing to participate in this event is a big deal,” said Solomon. “These are not companies that usually go out and go to random events – there is an investment in participating. I think they’re participating to be part of this bigger mission that we are trying to advance here.” Bergeron agrees. “I really applaud everyone for getting involved and I’m amazed how well this is all working out. There’s no guarantee what anyone will get out of this event, but at the very least, we will have the opportunity to thank our veterans for serving, which is not a waste of time at all.” Event details: Events will take place in Austin, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, San Diego, Washington, D.C. and elsewhere. The event in Detroit will feature the following brands: Franchising Pavilion:

1. Allegra Network
2. Big Boy Restaurants
3. CiCi’s Pizza
4. FASTSIGNS
5. Franchise Times
6. FranNet
7. Genuine Parts/ NAPA
8. Guidant Financial
9. Hungry Howie’s
10. KidzArt
11. Lenny’s
12. Moran Family of Brands (Mr. Transmission, Milex, Alta Mere, Smart View, Cobrand)
13. Service Brands International (Molly Maid, Mr. Handyman, 1-800-DryClean, ProTect Painters)
14. Sign-A-Rama, Inc.
15. Sport Clips*
16. The Owners Alliance
17. Tim Horton’s
18. Two Men & a Truck International
19. WIN Home Inspection

Hiring Fair:

1. Aaron’s
2. Applebee’s
3. Bank of America
4. Big Boy Restaurants
5. College Hunks Hauling Junk
6. Genuine Parts/ NAPA
7. Handy Pro International
8. Happy’s Pizza
9. The Hertz Corporation
10. Home Instead Senior Care
11. Ilitch Companies (Includes Little Caesars)
12. Moran Family of Brands (Mr. Transmission, Milex, Alta Mere, Smart View, Cobrand)
13. Sears
14. Service Brands International (Molly Maid, Mr. Handyman, 1-800-DryClean, ProTect Painters)
15. Snap-On Tools
16. State Farm Insurance
17. Two Men & a Truck International

--Ben Heinemann