How Military Discipline Leads to Franchising Success with Patrice & Associates

Patrice & Associates, the recruiting franchise that helps thousands of managerial and executive level candidates every year find rewarding jobs in the hospitality industry and beyond, is all about aiding in smooth transitions. That may be a candidate transitioning from one job to another, a client transitioning a role to a new employee or an entrepreneur transitioning from corporate life to franchise ownership.

One of the most notoriously hard transitions is from a military career to the civilian workforce. For Ken Lacy, a retired Army veteran, this transition led to a whole new mission: franchise ownership with Patrice & Associates. Today, Lacy's story is a prime example of how military skills can translate effectively into the world of franchising.

Military Background to Franchising

Retiring from the Army in 2005, followed by 15 years in managing defense contracts, Lacy spent nearly 37 total years in the Department of Defense.

“I had reached a point towards the latter part of my career where I was looking to make a transition,” said Lacy. “I loved that career — it took care of me and my family and led to a lot of great experiences. But I decided I wanted to own a business myself, preferably something that I could operate from home. I went into the process completely open, while still working a full-time position.”

This inclination toward entrepreneurship led him to explore the realm of franchising, influenced by a fellow retired veteran who followed a similar path.

While considering various franchise options, Lacy was particularly drawn to Patrice & Associates for two main reasons. Firstly, the company's philosophy of not just recruiting but genuinely helping people resonated with him. "I am very passionate about making a positive impact on somebody’s life,” he said. “You can’t put a dollar value on that.” 

Secondly, he appreciated the familial culture within the franchise network, where franchisees collaborate and share best practices. “A lot of the time, companies say they have that culture but it isn’t accurate, it just sounds good,” Lacy said. “Well, in our case, it's a true strength.”

Lacy officially started with Patrice & Associates in Northern Virginia in July of 2020. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic was not part of Lacy's plan, but he adapted swiftly. He emphasizes the flexibility and control over one's schedule as key benefits of the Patrice & Associates franchise, especially for veterans. "There is no brick-and-mortar location and little overhead costs. As long as you have a phone and internet, you can operate," he said.

One of the distinguishing features of franchising with Patrice & Associates is their non-restrictive territory model. As a franchisee, you are allocated a local area to set up your business, yet you are granted access to a nationwide database that houses over 650,000 candidates and more than 1,400 job listings. That said, each franchisee's territory is safeguarded; other franchisees are not allowed to specifically target your designated market.

Why Veterans Make Great Franchise Owners

Lacy acknowledges that his military background significantly contributed to his success with Patrice & Associates. His experience in writing, conducting interviews and managing hiring processes in the military became invaluable in his role as a franchise owner. 

“On paper, the military and franchising might look like apples and oranges, but I was able to apply a lot of skills that serve me well,” said Lacy. “I was a hiring manager, for example, so I’ve reviewed countless resumes and helped with thousands of interviews. I worked very closely with recruiters.”

Additionally, discipline has been a tremendous asset in Patrice franchising. “You have to be willing to follow the process and stay the course, consistently from start to finish,” said Lacy. “A lot of it is in the numbers, but it is also about helping people. As long as you are willing to follow the process, the numbers don’t lie. They speak for themselves.”

Lastly, Lacy says his leadership skills have also been extremely advantageous in Patrice & Associates. “As a business owner, you are responsible for the whole operation, but in terms of working with individuals and coaching them along the process, those leadership skills are very important,” he said. “Most people you are going to work with, whether they are a seasoned executive or junior entry level, aren’t interviewing for a job or interviewing someone else for a job in their daily role. So, they can really benefit from being led through the process.”

Patrice & Associates franchisees can tailor a unique strategy for each client using the system provided by the brand. This strategy can include targeted outreach to specific industries and geographical areas, cold calling to similar businesses to source top talent and conducting thorough, behavior-based interviews and reference checks. Various channels are utilized to find job candidates, such as confidential cold calling, social media campaigns, anonymous advertisements in nationally recognized publications and the unique Patrice Way™ industry search.

And while Lacy may have been well-positioned for his responsibilities as a franchise owner, he says he’s never felt alone. “The Patrice & Associates processes are great and the training and support has been exceptional,” he said. “I’m like a sponge, I absorb it all.”

To assist the transition from employee to business owner, Patrice & Associates has tailored a comprehensive training program for its franchisees. This involves an initial self-guided virtual training, followed by a two-week intensive training. After this, there's a six-week program with bi-weekly classes and calls, coupled with 90 days of daily mentorship with a seasoned coach. With this thorough training process, franchisees can rest assured they'll be equipped with the necessary tools for success, regardless of their prior experience or background.

A Supportive Community 

Similar to the military, Lacy says the comradery within the Patrice & Associates system has been particularly strong. “We are all independent business owners, but as a franchisee you still get to tap into that community,” he said.

Now, Lacy says he gets to interact with many retired veterans, several of whom often opt to own Patrice & Associates franchises themselves. He advises new franchisees on the importance of client development and adheres to the simple yet profound mantra: "If you follow the Patrice & Associates process, you’ll make money,” he said. “If you don’t, you won’t."

Patrice & Associates stands out in the recruitment industry with over 175 units in the U.S. and Canada, making it the largest hospitality executive search firm in the country. Recognized for its flexible and affordable franchise model, it allows franchisees to work from home and manage their schedules. Veterans who choose to franchise with Patrice & Associates are eligible for a $5,800 discount. In 2023, it ranked No. 289 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and was listed among the Top 100 Brands for less than $100,000 total investment.

“We are proud to have Ken as part of the Patrice & Associates family,” said Brian Miller, CEO of Patrice & Associates. “His dedication to helping others, combined with the supportive network of Patrice & Associates, exemplifies how military discipline and skills can seamlessly transition into a successful franchising career.”

For more information, visit: https://1851franchise.com/patriceandassociates/info