Qualities such as working well on a team and being disciplined are valued in both the military and franchising. That’s why many veterans like The Junkluggers franchisee Brian Puff turn to franchising as their next career step.
Puff joined the U.S. Army Reserve following his high school graduation. He trained two summers while in college, later spending a year at Fort Hood in Texas, where he loaded trains with equipment that was sent overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After his military career, Puff worked his way up to the vice president of operations at a North American computer parts plant. A few years later, he began seeking greater independence in his career, and that’s when he discovered franchising.
“I started looking around and found a great fit with The Junkluggers,” Puff said. “It was actually through a franchise consultant who had me take some personality and skills tests. I'm not the type of person who likes to be in the office all day, every day. I like going to meetings, meeting new people, and getting out to do the work.”
In 2025, Puff opened his franchise with The Junkluggers in Rochester East, New York.
The biggest skills that translate from the military to franchising are teamwork and leadership, Puff says.
“At the end of my time in the Army, I was a sergeant. But really, almost everything that I did in my particular type of unit was done at the squad and then platoon level,” he said. “This meant a small group of people, usually in a squad of about 10 guys, working closely together as a team. We lived right next door to each other, we worked together, we did PT together.”
Discipline is another important quality Puff learned in the Army that continues to influence everything he does today, including how he runs his business. The franchisee knows how important it is that his employees wear the right uniforms and that the trucks are kept clean, for example.
“Those things seem small, but they really do build habits and discipline that help,” Puff said.
Puff feels that The Junkluggers was a great fit for his personality and skill set. Being a franchise owner allows him to get out and be around people, rather than sitting at a desk all day.
“I like being shoulder-to-shoulder with people, and this seemed very much like that,” he said. “I also love to drive. I love to be in my truck. As I pictured myself going from job to job, meeting new people, going to meetings, networking, and then going and pitching in and doing some work — it just all really appealed to me.”
The support he received from the team was also an influential factor. Having read books both pro- and anti-franchising, Puff knew that not all brands offered the same level of responsiveness and support, with some franchisees of other brands complaining of being out on their own after signing the agreement.
“It has not been like that at all with The Junkluggers,” he said. “They've been very supportive. They actively communicate with me very often. The procedures, background information, and resources they make available to us as owners are more than I can read. I still have weekly meetings with my business coach. Any question I ask internally, anyone will answer it.”
Puff would tell veterans who are considering buying a franchise to “absolutely do it.”
“I'm definitely much happier,” he said. “It is really great to be more independent, have your own thing, yet still have support and not be completely on your own.”
He advises franchisees to take a realistic view of the process and plan for factors such as how long it will take to ramp up, the resources needed to get through that phase, and the amount of work required.
“It’s not always easy,” he said, “but it’s worth it.”
For more information, visit: https://junkluggersfranchise.com/.
The Junkluggers
SPONSORED
After serving in the military and working in corporate roles, Brian Puff wanted to do something for himself that involved working hard in his community.
Qualities such as working well on a team and being disciplined are valued in both the military and franchising. That’s why many veterans like The Junkluggers franchisee Brian Puff turn to franchising as their next career step.
Puff joined the U.S. Army Reserve following his high school graduation. He trained two summers while in college, later spending a year at Fort Hood in Texas, where he loaded trains with equipment that was sent overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After his military career, Puff worked his way up to the vice president of operations at a North American computer parts plant. A few years later, he began seeking greater independence in his career, and that’s when he discovered franchising.
“I started looking around and found a great fit with The Junkluggers,” Puff said. “It was actually through a franchise consultant who had me take some personality and skills tests. I'm not the type of person who likes to be in the office all day, every day. I like going to meetings, meeting new people, and getting out to do the work.”
In 2025, Puff opened his franchise with The Junkluggers in Rochester East, New York.
The biggest skills that translate from the military to franchising are teamwork and leadership, Puff says.
“At the end of my time in the Army, I was a sergeant. But really, almost everything that I did in my particular type of unit was done at the squad and then platoon level,” he said. “This meant a small group of people, usually in a squad of about 10 guys, working closely together as a team. We lived right next door to each other, we worked together, we did PT together.”
Discipline is another important quality Puff learned in the Army that continues to influence everything he does today, including how he runs his business. The franchisee knows how important it is that his employees wear the right uniforms and that the trucks are kept clean, for example.
“Those things seem small, but they really do build habits and discipline that help,” Puff said.
Puff feels that The Junkluggers was a great fit for his personality and skill set. Being a franchise owner allows him to get out and be around people, rather than sitting at a desk all day.
“I like being shoulder-to-shoulder with people, and this seemed very much like that,” he said. “I also love to drive. I love to be in my truck. As I pictured myself going from job to job, meeting new people, going to meetings, networking, and then going and pitching in and doing some work — it just all really appealed to me.”
The support he received from the team was also an influential factor. Having read books both pro- and anti-franchising, Puff knew that not all brands offered the same level of responsiveness and support, with some franchisees of other brands complaining of being out on their own after signing the agreement.
“It has not been like that at all with The Junkluggers,” he said. “They've been very supportive. They actively communicate with me very often. The procedures, background information, and resources they make available to us as owners are more than I can read. I still have weekly meetings with my business coach. Any question I ask internally, anyone will answer it.”
Puff would tell veterans who are considering buying a franchise to “absolutely do it.”
“I'm definitely much happier,” he said. “It is really great to be more independent, have your own thing, yet still have support and not be completely on your own.”
He advises franchisees to take a realistic view of the process and plan for factors such as how long it will take to ramp up, the resources needed to get through that phase, and the amount of work required.
“It’s not always easy,” he said, “but it’s worth it.”
For more information, visit: https://junkluggersfranchise.com/.
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