1851

Prior to joining the Navy,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-johnson-jdog-clarkston/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=navy-veteran-max-johnson-gives-back-to-the-clarkston-community-through-his-jdog-junk-removal-hauling-business-2722403" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Max Johnson</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jdogjunkremoval.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=navy-veteran-max-johnson-gives-back-to-the-clarkston-community-through-his-jdog-junk-removal-hauling-business-2722403" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">JDog Junk Removal &amp; Hauling</a> franchisee in Clarkston, Michigan, says he was lacking direction. However, military service equipped him with the skills and discipline he would need to build a successful life, family and career.&nbsp;Johnson notes that, unlike many Veterans, his service experience was nothing particularly traumatic. Rather, after military separation, he found that his prior experience in the Navy served as a great door opener. After considering business ownership for a while, Johnson learned of JDog Brands through a friend and decided to open up his own. Now, in addition to providing junk removal services to the Clarkston community, he is working to help other Veterans find a support network and open doors for themselves.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Johnson:&nbsp;I initially joined the Navy because I didn’t have great direction to pursue anything else. I was a Damage Control Petty Officer for five years, and that experience gave me the tools I needed to build a successful life. After separating, I took civilian positions with the Army as a firefighter and EMT, then as a safety manager for an Army research and development center. While I was in these roles, I began to realize that I really wanted to start my own business.Some of the firefighters I had worked with before told me about JDog, and I was drawn in by both the business model as a whole and its emphasis on Veterans. I felt inspired to create even closer connections with other Veterans by reaching out and providing opportunities. For me, service wasn’t anything too traumatic; it was really a door-opener. I acknowledge that this is not the case for other Veterans and want to extend the opportunities I’ve gained to those who have had a more challenging path.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Johnson:&nbsp;My perception was that it was probably something that I would never be able to afford. At the time, that didn’t really matter, because I generally wasn’t interested. We had joked, as a family, about franchising with one of the big national brands, but it’s so easy to see how many of them fail. It seemed like something that you didn’t really have control of; there’s still a massive corporation behind you telling you what to do.I would want people to know that this isn’t the case with all franchisors. JDog is different. They provide resources and guidance on things like branding and marketing, which are totally necessary to maintain a uniform brand, but I still feel that I’m in control of my own franchise and my own destiny.&nbsp;The application to get into some of the major brands can feel like an impossible task. I would encourage people to strike out on their own if that’s what they’re interested in. People are happy in their work when they’re personally invested in one way or another. They like what they’re doing and find meaning and fulfillment in a project or role. If someone thinks a given brand can provide that, they should go for it.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Johnson:&nbsp;Being that the whole model hinges on this idea that we can do a lot of good with the things people would typically throw away, we’re able to help a lot of Veterans and the larger community in general. Being visible as Veterans that are still serving in one way or another also allows us to be a source for camaraderie and lifting each others’ spirits. We can do that in addition to standing out as a junk removal company.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Johnson:&nbsp;I plan to grow. I’d like to have this business provide a comfortable living for my family, but there are other reasons for growth, too. I want to affect more change in the community and be able to make a bigger difference. The bigger we get, the more we can spread out through our donations, community service work and partnerships with other small businesses.&nbsp;The more work we can generate for ourselves, the more jobs we can provide to Veterans and community members who are seeking meaningful work. That’s what growth provides — more opportunity. Not only for employment for others but also for us to improve our small town and surrounding areas.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Johnson:&nbsp;If there are Veterans out there who are currently struggling to transition into the civilian world, I want people to know that we try to serve as a medium for them to get started. Whether they want to pursue their own franchise, get started with a new career or build a support network with people they work with, which can be very healing, we’re here to give them what they need.The service is hard, but I needed it. It got me to where I could support a family, and during my service, I didn’t encounter any traumatic experiences, but being around other Veterans, you realize that there are very legitimate reasons why some Veterans do have trouble transitioning.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Johnson:&nbsp;Manage expectations and stay small. It’s okay to be logical, and you don’t have to be the right fit for every prospective client. You can’t be everything to everyone, and it’s totally okay to say, “I don’t have the capability to do that right now.” Similarly, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If you have one source of work taking up a big slice of the pie, and they stop using you or that business goes under, that puts your business at risk.ABOUT JDOG BRANDSHeadquartered in Berwyn, PA, JDog Brands was founded by Army Veteran Jerry Flanagan, JDog’s CEO, and his wife, Tracy Flanagan, when they recognized the struggle many Veterans faced when acclimating back to civilian life. JDog Junk Hauling &amp; Removal and JDog Carpet Cleaning &amp; Floor Care create business ownership opportunities exclusively for Veterans and their families with nearly 300 JDog franchises across the country. JDog Brands provide franchisees with comprehensive training and support for every step of their business ownership journey. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit jdogbrands.com&nbsp;

Navy Veteran Max Johnson Gives Back to the Clarkston Community Through His JDog Junk Removal & Hauling Business

1851 Franchise

Johnson says his time in the Navy opened doors for him. Now, he hopes to extend similar opportunities through his role as a business owner.

navy-veteran-max-johnson-gives-back-to-the-clarkston-community-through-his-jdog-junk-removal-hauling-business

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Featured in USA Today as Key Player in Helping Seniors Age Safely at Home

trublue-featured-in-usa-today-as-key-player-in-helping-seniors-age-safely-at-home

Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

right-at-home-franchise-growth-2025

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

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 Development Website Builder

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

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

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

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

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Navy Veteran Max Johnson Gives Back to the Clarkston Community Through His JDog Junk Removal & Hauling Business

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS