People, Processes and Passion: How JDog Brands Rises Above Its Competition

JDog Brands, the parent franchisor to JDog Junk Removal & Hauling and JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care, has grown to be the largest Veteran franchisor in the nation, and for good reason. In addition to its sturdy business model and robust franchisee support, there is an emotional buy-in from both franchisees and customers that is hard to find in other models.

“The fact of the matter is that we’re different than other junk removal and carpet cleaning franchises out there because we’re specifically targeting Veterans,” explained Terry Corkery, Vice President of Franchise Development. “We swim in the same pool as our competitors…we remove junk, recycle, clean stains and all of our other services. But what they can’t duplicate for the consumer is the differentiator of a Veteran or military family owner.”

The JDog difference shines through at every step of the process.

JDog Offers a Simple, Affordable Investment

Compared to other similar franchise models, JDog Brands’ initial investment is relatively low. To start, franchisees will need a JDog-wrapped vehicle and enough working capital to carry them through the first few months. However, the franchisor offers a zero-down program for wrapped vehicles as well as other financing options for approved candidates.

“I feel like the phrase ‘turnkey’ can be overused sometimes, but that really is what we have with our JDog vehicles,” Corkery said. “Our franchisees have a turnkey solution to secure the primary resource they will need to operate the business.”

Robust Training Prepares Franchisees for Success

JDog has carefully developed a training program to prepare franchisees for success once they break into their own markets. One of the primary drivers of this education is the brand’s recently redone training facility.

“We’ve had so much volume over the last two years since moving into our new office,” explained Kevin Kopa, President of JDog Junk Removal & Hauling. “We’ve been selling too much and having too many discovery days and trainings, which are all good problems, but we saw the need to have dedicated space for training.”

This training center allows franchisees a dedicated space that is conducive to their learning. Featuring desks, a podium, a camera to live-stream education, seven different types of flooring and three different backsplash materials, the room is the perfect spot for both theoretical and practical learning.

However, the education does not stop once the franchisee graduates from JDog University. If at any point an established owner or employee would like to refresh their knowledge, they are more than welcome to attend live-streamed training sessions. 

The People of JDog Promote an Emotional Buy-In

At the heart of the JDog business model is a mission to serve Veterans and military families.

“When I’m talking to prospective franchisees, I’m not selling to them,” Corkery explained. “The true selling point is Discovery Day. People come to Discovery Day fairly confident in the JDog model, but after spending time with the other Veterans at the office, they realize JDog is even better than they had originally thought.”

The value of Veteran representation shines through on all sides. For other Veterans, JDog provides a space to feel seen, understood and valued.

“In many cases, Veterans retire and reenter the civilian workforce, and they feel undervalued. They’ve done all of these things in the military, but those skills don’t always transfer to civilian life. All of a sudden, they’re working in a warehouse or corporate space with people who don’t understand them, and they’re on an island,” he added. “There is a different way of communicating, different expectations of work ethic and other disconnects between the Veteran and civilian mindset.”

For many Veterans, Corkery said, positions like this are only sustainable for between six to 18 months. Veterans will begin to feel out of place, disconnected from their purpose and discouraged about future career prospects.

“At JDog, our infrastructure is built for Veterans’ style of direct communication. Their work ethic is valued. They’ve served their country, and now they have an opportunity to serve their community,” he added.

When Veterans realize that they can work alongside others who understand their life experience, mental health struggles, communication styles and more, there is an emotional buy-in that simply is not felt with other franchise models.

The power of the Veteran identity also transfers to the general public. When consumers are considering who they want to hire to work within their homes, Veterans are often a trusted source that consumers are more than happy to support.

Corkery added that, as he drives his JDog-wrapped vehicle, people will approach him in public with questions about the brand and its services, even when he is not on a work call.

“People see the JDog trucks or t-shirts and want to talk to us,” he explained. “They start asking questions, realize what we do, and suddenly everyone is your advocate. Many of our customers have served or have family members who have served, and they want to align themselves with what we’re doing in any way they can.”

The total investment necessary to begin the operation of a JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care ranges from $37,909 to $169,947, including a $10,000-$25,000 franchise fee. The total investment necessary to begin the operation of a JDog Junk Removal & Hauling ranges from $30,000 to $110,000, including a $35,000 franchise fee.  For more information on franchising with JDog, visit https://www.jdogbrands.com/own-a-franchise.