1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-merrall-cfe/?trk=public_profile_browsemap&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=veterans-and-franchising-make-the-perfect-combination-2724723" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lori Merrall</a>, the Vice President of Franchise Sales of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ownawoodhouse.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=veterans-and-franchising-make-the-perfect-combination-2724723" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Woodhouse Spa</a> — the 84-unit, high-end, luxury day spa franchise — and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.solafranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp%3Butm_medium=article&amp%3Butm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-sola-salons-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721632&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=veterans-and-franchising-make-the-perfect-combination-2724723" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sola Salons</a>, has specialized in the wellness-and-beauty&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-sola-salons-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721632#stories">franchise</a> industry for over 17 years. Because of her work with countless veterans, she believes this group often makes incredibly successful franchisees.1851 Franchise spoke with Merrall about what makes veterans successful franchisees, distinct qualities they have that make them stand out and how their experience guides them toward success in business ownership.&nbsp;<h3>What Makes Veterans Excellent Franchisees</h3>According to Merrall, veterans tend to make exceptional franchisees for two reasons: innate qualities that drew them to serve their country and the experiences gained while doing so. She believes veterans often innately value teamwork and dedication, and are keen to work together to accomplish a common goal.“They really know how to work as a team, which is really important, and a lot of them have been leaders and they know how to build teams,” explained Merrall.Working in teams and building teams is vitally important as a franchisee. A business owner is responsible for creating a culture among employees and encouraging collaboration that leads to the best results for the company and all those involved.Beyond teamwork, Merrall believes that veterans tend to be excellent at following instructions and adhering to a plan.“People who go into the military are very geared toward a ‘mission mindset,’” explained Merrall. “They understand following a system and how important that is to getting where you need to be. That's exactly what franchising is. The franchisors who've created brands have created systems that are easily duplicatable.”Veterans have gained experience in diligently applying instructions and closely following a plan. Not only does this lead to success in the franchising world, but it also makes for a smooth transition for veterans re-entering the civilian world.&nbsp;<h3>A Smooth Transition To Civilian Life</h3>Franchising allows veterans to apply their experience in the civilian world and see positive results. The process of using a tried-and-true model that they believe in feels familiar to those who have served and carried out missions.“People who come out of the military find comfort in being entrepreneurs, but also being able to follow a system and not having to reinvent the wheel and use the experience of the franchise system in which they've invested,” said Merrall.While veterans, of course, have a range of interests and passions and so can find success in a variety of industries, veterans may resonate with service-based concepts because the concept of serving others is so deeply ingrained in them.“We do see a lot of veterans in home services, health care and in fitness,” explained Merrall.&nbsp;Serving the community can take many forms. Merrall explained that&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/former-public-servant-furthers-her-public-service-career-through-woodhouse-spa-franchise-2723660#stories">Woodhouse Spa</a> has many veteran franchisees who are attracted to the idea of serving their community by offering wellness-and-health services.&nbsp;<h3>Perks for Veterans</h3>Not only is franchising a great opportunity for veterans, but it offers a great opportunity to franchisors seeking candidates who are likely to succeed. This mutually beneficial relationship is often acknowledged by franchisors, so it is advisable for veterans to list their military experience at the top of their resume. In fact, many brands offer veterans a discounted franchise fee as both an incentive to join their brand and as a thank you for serving our country.&nbsp;

Veterans and Franchising Make the Perfect Combination

1851 Franchise

Woodhouse Spa VP believes veterans are successful franchisees because of the characteristics that drew them to serve and the experience they gained along the way.

veterans-and-franchising-make-the-perfect-combination

Melting Pot

Photo of interior of Melting Pot restaurant

Lexington Herald Leader: This Restaurant Chain Eyes a Return to Lexington After 10 Years

melting-pot-return-to-lexington

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke's Breakfast Cafe - John and Kimberly Ehrhard - 1851 Franchise

Empowering Leadership, One Pancake at a Time: How John and Kimberly Ehrhard Are Building a Franchise Legacy with Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

john-kimberly-ehrhard-kekes-franchise

Comfort Keepers

More Than a Caregiver: Loretta Smith's Support Extends to Fellow Caregivers, Clients and the Community

more-than-a-caregiver-loretta-smiths-support-extends-to-fellow-caregivers-clients-and-the-community

Photo of Melting Pot CEO John "JC" Crawford

Melting Pot Names New CEO, Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Continued Growth and Leadership Promotions

melting-pot-franchise-mid-year-2025

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Texas Layne’s Franchisee Secures Real Estate in Austin, Set To Open Early Next Year

texas-laynes-franchisee-secures-real-estate-in-austin-set-to-open-early-next-year

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

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

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

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

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

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

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

Veterans and Franchising Make the Perfect Combination

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS