1851

If anyone is living the true American Dream, it’s <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerryflanagan11/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-i-franchised-my-business-jdog-junk-removal-hauling-2717810" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jerry Flanagan</a>. After the Army Veteran left the military, the 2008 economic crisis sent him and his wife, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-%E2%80%9Cmrs-jdog%E2%80%9D-flanagan-7a1b201a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-i-franchised-my-business-jdog-junk-removal-hauling-2717810" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tracy</a>, into bankruptcy. The duo started from the ground up removing junk for extra money as they worked to get back on their feet, eventually launching <a href="https://www.jdogjunkremoval.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-i-franchised-my-business-jdog-junk-removal-hauling-2717810" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">JDog Junk Removal and Hauling</a>.“I was 43 and looking for a recession-proof business to work on. I started hauling junk on the weekends to make money, and used index cards as marketing materials,” said Flanagan. “When I got my start with what would become JDog, I thought I was just doing this as a side hustle until I got a ‘real job.’’’However, things took a turn and business picked up in a way Flanagan could never have imagined when his customers found out that he was a Veteran. That’s when the light bulb went off — he would change his marketing strategy to being a Veteran-owned and operated business.<h4>How JDog Aims to Drive Down the Veteran Unemployment Rate</h4>When JDog needed to hire more employees, Flanagan turned to the VA Hospital.&nbsp;“Before I knew it I realized I had a real business,” he said. “We did that for about a year, and then in 2012 my wife and I noticed that the unemployment rate was high for Veterans and a lot of military Veterans coming out of service.”That’s when another light bulb went off. Tracy wanted to start franchising the business, but Flanagan wasn’t too sure about it. Flanagan said some convincing on Tracy’s part led them to building a model around a franchise system.&nbsp;JDog Junk Removal and Hauling officially became a franchise in 2012, although Flanagan said they didn’t sell to a franchisee for a year. The couple put whatever money they had into the franchise. Eventually they sold one, then another, and three more by 2014.&nbsp;“The only problem was we had no infrastructure,” said Flangan. “We were sitting at the kitchen table, realizing we were in over our heads. Then, in 2014, we approached a company and offered up the model that could put Veterans into business ownership.”The Veterans that joined on as franchisees are able to run their own business while repurposing, recycling and re-donating to people in need.“JDog allows Veterans to become CEOs and shows them how to hire and train employees, all of which is affecting the Veteran unemployment rate,” said Flanagan. “Our goal is to reduce the Veteran unemployment rate, and we’re doing that now with 247 franchises and 14 carpet cleaning and floor care franchises through JDog Carpet Cleaning and Floor Care.”There are a total of 262 JDog franchise units out there, and Flanagan has set a goal of adding between 80 and 100 new franchises each year. Flanagan said that current lead generation is at least 900 this year compared to last year, and the brand even saw sales increase over the pandemic.“There are over 42,000 zip codes in the U.S.,” said Flanagan. “We want a JDog franchise in every zip code. We want a franchise opportunity to be available to all Veterans in the future — whether that’s in moving, painting, plumbing or electric. I’d like to have a military Veteran or family member operate a JDog service in every market.”<h4>JDog is Spreading Awareness of Its Mission Through Television Series “Operation Hidden Treasures”</h4>The word about JDog and its mission to help Veterans own their own business is taking the spotlight through Discovery’s “<a href="https://www.operationhiddentreasures.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-i-franchised-my-business-jdog-junk-removal-hauling-2717810" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Operation Hidden Treasures</a>.”&nbsp;Season 1 of the show just wrapped, and the team is in the process of working on Season 2.&nbsp;“I’d like to see the show get on more mainstream channels, because it shows how much our business is making a difference in the lives of our nation’s Veterans,” said Flanagan.&nbsp;“The show gives viewers a chance to see just how hard our Veterans are working. We show up on time for our clients, we say ‘yes, sir,’ ‘yes, ma’am,’ and we know how to follow the rules and regulations,” he added.&nbsp;Flanagan hopes the television series will elevate the brand even more, making JDog a household name.The cost to open a JDog Junk Removal &amp; Hauling ranges from $30,000 to $110,000, including a $35,000 franchise fee. For more information on franchising with JDog, visit <a href="https://www.jdogbrands.com/own-a-franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-i-franchised-my-business-jdog-junk-removal-hauling-2717810" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.jdogbrands.com/own-a-franchise</a>.

How I Franchised My Business: JDog Junk Removal & Hauling

1851 Franchise

A military Veteran is lowering the Veteran unemployment rate after building a business from the ground up. 

how-i-franchised-my-business-jdog-junk-removal-hauling

Home Halo

Home Halo’s 160-Step Launch Process: Setting Franchisees Up for Success

home-halo-franchise-launch-process

VA Reimbursement: A Unique Opportunity for Home Halo Franchisees

va-reimbursement-a-unique-opportunity-for-home-halo-franchisees

Home Halo’s "Frank" Method: Coaching Franchisees to Greatness

home-halos-frank-method-coaching-franchisees-to-greatness

home-halo-dan-deak-personal-journey-headshot

Dan Deak's Personal Journey: From Caring Son to Home Halo CEO

dan-deaks-personal-journey-from-caring-son-to-home-halo-ceo

10 Reasons Why You Should Invest in a Home Halo Franchise

10-reasons-why-you-should-invest-in-a-home-halo-franchise

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Dave’s Hot Chicken Sold to Roark Capital in $1 Billion Deal to Fuel Global Expansion

daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

How To Sell Just One Franchise: What You’ll Learn at FranCamp NJ 2025

how-to-sell-just-one-franchise-what-youll-learn-at-francamp-nj-2025

House Passes Tax Relief Package With Key Benefits for Small Businesses and Franchises

house-passes-small-business-tax-relief-bill-2025

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-positioning-image

Bouncing Into Business: How Busy Bee Jumpers Is Building the First National Bounce House Franchise

franchise-opportunity-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise

busy-bee-jumpers-consumer-positioning-image-kids-jumping-bounce-house

Delivering Fun With a Smile: How Busy Bee Jumpers Earns 5-Star Raves From Families Across New England

busy-bee-jumpers-party-rentals

Pink's Window Services - Franchise Deep Dive - 1851 Franchise

Pink’s Window Services Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

pinks-window-services-franchise-deep-dive

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

What You Need To Know About Low-Cost Franchise Opportunities

what-you-need-to-know-about-low-cost-franchise-opportunities

Sola Salons Franchisee Grows Salon Freedom Into a Multi-State Powerhouse 

sola-salons-franchisee-grows-salon-freedom-into-a-multi-state-powerhouse

Dan Yangas Brings Family Flooring Legacy Full Circle With Footprints Floors Franchise in Naperville 

Dan Yangas Brings Family Flooring Legacy Full Circle With Footprints Floors Franchise in Naperville, Illinois

dan-yangas-brings-family-flooring-legacy-full-circle-with-footprints-floors-franchise-in-naperville-illinois

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Sean Phelan & Caring Transitions logo

From Tech to Transitions: Why This Caring Transitions Franchisee Left the Corporate World To Help Families Navigate Life’s Hardest Moves

sean-phelan-caring-transitions-franchise-austin

How I Franchised My Business: JDog Junk Removal & Hauling

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS