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Why JDog Brands is the Perfect Franchise Opportunity for Veterans Looking to Secure Their Future

With low start-up costs, a supportive community and an operationalized business model, JDog Brands is a great way for veterans to enter business ownership and avoid unemployment when transitioning to the civilian world.

For veterans returning from service, transitioning to civilian life can be difficult. For those with entrepreneurial passions, carving out a lane to first-time business ownership can be even more challenging. JDog Brands, the 260-unit home services franchisor behind both JDog Junk Removal & Hauling and JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care, was created in 2011 with a unique mission to solve this issue by providing veterans with a reliable path to successful, first-time business ownership. Now, as demand grows in the home services industry, the brand is expanding rapidly as savvy veteran entrepreneurs recognize that JDog’s franchise opportunity is not only well-positioned for the future, but also hand-crafted to align with their skill sets. 

How JDog Brands Set Out to End Veteran Unemployment

America is home to 19 million military veterans, an alarming 6.5% of whom are unemployed. The military encourages a lifestyle of honor, courage and service, which can unfortunately be the opposite of many modern work environments. That is why many veterans — particularly those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders — may find it jarring when trying to relate to civilian coworkers or find fulfilling work post-service.

After declaring bankruptcy during the Great Recession, veteran Jerry Flanagan saw first-hand how difficult it could be to succeed as a first-time business owner. He set out to create a recession-proof company that could provide lucrative work opportunities that aligned with the skills, needs and values of veterans. Jerry and his wife, Tracy Flanagan, decided on the junk hauling industry, establishing JDog Junk Removal & Hauling as a welcoming space for veteran entrepreneurs and quickly building a trusted reputation in their local community. They soon added a complementary floor care concept to the roster as well, JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care. 

“As JDog Brands grew, I realized my military background gave JDog a distinct advantage over the competition, and I knew I had an opportunity to make a marked impact on the veteran unemployment rate,” said Flanagan. “Through franchising, JDog Brands aims to decrease veteran unemployment rates to under 1%.”

Why Veterans Love JDog Brands Business Ownership

Some of JDog Brands’ veteran-centric benefits include: low startup costs without the need for inventory or retail space, a proven and operationalized business model that taps into the common skills developed during service and the opportunity to leverage a community of supportive and like-minded veterans. Overall, first-time veteran franchisees don’t need any specific industry experience in junk removal or even business ownership to thrive with JDog. Instead, owners need to connect with JDog’s core values of respect, integrity and trust — three staples of the military lifestyle. 

Those veteran-focused values have also proven to be a valuable asset on the consumer side, with homeowners recognizing the rare professionalism and reliability that JDog’s military background brings to the table.

“When franchisees buy into JDog Brands, they are becoming a part of a brotherhood and sisterhood of veterans and military families,” said Flanagan. “This provides a valuable outlet for veteran entrepreneurs who are struggling to adapt to civilian life and who are eager to give back to their local communities.”

Joe Yurick is one of those first-time veteran entrepreneurs. Yurick is a U.S. army veteran and former missile operator who struggled to find his footing after returning from deployment. When the self-proclaimed “vetrepreneur” discovered JDog Brands, he felt aligned with its mission to help lower veteran unemployment and homelessness. Today, Yurick is the owner of JDog Junk Removal & Hauling in Southern Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

"After the military, I had a hard time coming back to real life,” said Yurick. “I never celebrated my military background, but with JDog, I am proud to show and tell people that I am a veteran and that my crew is too. I saw a business opportunity where I could celebrate being a veteran and work with other veterans." 

Why the Future is Bright for JDog Brands

With this military-focused approach to franchising, JDog Brands has become one of the most popular franchise investments among veterans, and the franchisor continues its mission to reduce veteran unemployment across the country. In 2021, as home services become more relevant than ever following the COVID-19 pandemic, JDog Brands is making great strides toward achieving that mission. The team has already signed over 50 new franchise agreements with owners across the country. 

Looking ahead, JDog is actively seeking qualified franchisees to help establish a franchise in every U.S. zip code, 

“Providing veteran prospects and military family members an exciting opportunity to join a veteran-led, community-oriented and proven business is extremely important to me,” said Flangan. “We are eager to partner with veteran entrepreneurs who are struggling to adapt to civilian life across the country as we continue to strive towards ending veteran unemployment.”

The cost to open a JDog Junk Removal & Hauling ranges from $30,000 to $110,000, including a $35,000 franchise fee. For more information on franchising with JDog, visit https://www.jdogbrands.com/own-a-franchise/

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