VetFran: 25 Years of Helping Veterans Thrive in Franchising

How do you thank veterans for their service? Some celebrate on Veteran’s Day, some volunteer with veteran’s organizations and others are inspired to enlist for themselves. But for Ron Dwyer Sr., of the Dwyer Group, he wanted to thank veterans the only way that he knew how: by providing them with resources and tools in franchising. So, in 1991, VetFran was founded.

As VetFran celebrates its 25^th anniversary, it’s hard to measure the great impact the program has had. The organization estimates that one in every seven franchises are owned by veterans or veteran spouses— that’s 66,000 businesses in the U.S. alone, providing 815,000 jobs.

VetFran, which operates under the International Franchise Association, has provided resources, guidance, financial aid and opportunities in franchising to countless veterans. Today, they have over 650 IFA member companies offering financial incentives through the initiative. But why are franchises eyeing veterans as potential franchisees?

“Our veterans understand dedication to a cause and what that dedication represents. They are tremendously disciplined and have a very strong sense of teamwork and commitment. These traits are also core to a successful franchise business operation,” said WORKOUT ANYTIME Chief Operating Officer Mark de Gorter. “Playing a key role into the greater good of an organization is how they have conducted themselves, and we find they are among the best partners for our business.”

Angela Zerda Paules, Director of Marketing for Mosquito Joe, echoed those sentiments.

“Those with a military background tend to transition well into franchising because they have excellent experience in operations and working within a system to follow and execute a plan for success. The drive and dedication it takes to run a business comes quite naturally for veterans.”

For many franchisors, veterans transition nicely into the industry because of their military experience, where following a proven system for success has been engrained in their minds since the day they enlisted.

“Many veterans are willing to work hard, but they don’t want to be confined behind a desk all day. Running a franchise business gives them the opportunity to be part of a system while driving their own business and financial success,” said Heather, Director of Marketing at The Cleaning Authority.

All of these companies are partners with the VetFran initiative, discounting franchise fees by up to 22 percent, discounting territory fees 25 percent and offering other tools and resources to the veteran community.

Air Force Veteran and VetFran Program Manager George Eldridge was looking for a franchise to purchase himself when he came across the position within the VetFran organization. For more than a year now, he’s served as the operational force connecting veterans with resources in the franchising industry, all while he earns his MBA down the street at George Washington University.

“VetFran was great place for me to transition while still being active in the veteran community and learning business acumen,” he remarked.

As a veteran himself, it’s clear to Eldridge why the military community thrives in the franchising industry.

“Franchising has a lot of parallels to my experience being in the military. You’re given guidance on what needs to be done, and put in the right direction, give you experience and offer support, but the rest is up to you.”