Public Protectors: The Dwyer Group Helps Firefighters, Law Enforcement Get Into Business

By GREG AVDOIAN The Dwyer Group® recently launched Public Protectors Franchise Advantage (PPFA), a program designed to salute law enforcement officers and firefighters and to help community heroes get into business for themselves through franchise incentives. The PPFA program offers 20 percent off the minimum franchise fee for any current or former fulltime law enforcement/firefighter with a minimum of two years of full-time service. To highlight this program and salute fire rescue and law enforcement public protectors for their service, The Dwyer Group will award the waiver of the initial franchise fee for one base level franchise from one of its franchise brands to a qualifying individual in recognition of the inception of the PPFA.  Nominations will be accepted until October 1, 2012, at www.leadingtheserviceindustry.com/protectors.asp. “The Public Protectors Franchise Advantage program will help more people like me realize their dream of small business ownership,” said Charles Baldwin, a 25-year fire rescue veteran, and the first PPFA franchisee who will open a The Grounds Guys® location in Evans, Ga., this summer. “PPFA will improve the quality of life for people in service, and allow them to build something for their families to be handed down generation to generation.” As a way to celebrate PPFA’s launch, The Dwyer Group will provide those who nominate a public protector a $15-off coupon to The Dwyer Group’s national brands and will enter them in prize drawings, including two drawings for a $100 Visa gift card and a $2,000 cash bonus for the person who nominates the public protector awardee. For contest dates and eligibility requires, visit Dwyer's site. The PPFA Award winner will receive the waiver of the initial franchise fee for a base level (100,000 population) franchise, which value, depending on the franchise brand selected, will range from $26,000 to $29,500. The future franchisee will be required to meet a list of minimum qualifications which can be found here. The nominations will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications listed, with finalists being selected by the PPFA Award Panel on or about October 1, 2012. “There are so many incredible heroes in everyday life,” said Dina Dwyer-Owens, CEO & Chairwoman of The Dwyer Group. “The Public Protectors Franchise Advantage Program is there to salute and help them venture into business ownership. We are hopeful many other franchise brands will support this initiative, much like how they supported VetFran, a program helping more than 6,000 veterans, including 259 by The Dwyer Group, receive incentives to own their own franchise business.” For more information on the Public Protectors Franchise Advantage, visit http://www.leadingtheserviceindustry.com/protectors.asp.