Why This Marine Signed on with JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care in Denver

When Marine Corps Veteran Zac Turner discovered JDog Carpet Cleaning and Floor Care — the nationally recognized franchise opportunity for Veterans and their families with over 260 owners and operators in the U.S. — he knew he had found his next adventure. Motivated by his love for his country and for supporting local Veterans, Turner set out to not only start a successful business, but also to employ Veterans in need of a stable income and a purpose upon returning to civilian life.

“I served for six years in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) before becoming a diesel mechanic and oil field worker in Texas,” said Turner. “The first business we owned was an oil field pumping business in our home state of Texas, followed by a successful life insurance and investment business in Arkansas.”

In 2016, Turner decided to take an entire year off from those ventures and relocate the family to Colorado, where he was recruited by AVC Auctions and started the role he now occupies as territory manager for Northern Colorado. “At this time in my life, and as I worked for others, I found myself wondering, ‘How long do I want to build someone else's dream instead of my own?’” he said.

When Turner decided it was time to expand his portfolio with another business, he says he was drawn to the stability of franchising. “You’re in business for yourself but not by yourself,” he said. “When starting out businesses on our own, it’s kind of a figure-it-out-as-you-go method. In contrast, with a franchise, I have a corporate team who has a vested monetary interest in my success, so they give a lot of support to their franchisees. For me, starting a franchise lowered the risk and the fear of the unknowns.”

As a business owner, Turner says he knew he wanted to leverage the skills and traits he developed while in the Marines. “I love people, I have the ability to make friends fast, but justice, judgment, dependability, integrity, decisiveness, tact, initiative, endurance, bearing, unselfishness, courage, knowledge, loyalty, and enthusiasm are ideals I’ve learned in the Marines,” he said.

Turner discovered JDog while researching franchise concepts and could tell right away the brand aligned with his military values. “JDog’s core values are in line with mine —  like working hard and doing what’s right,” he said. “JDog is committed to lowering the unemployment rate of military veterans; the integrity of the leadership made me commit. I’m very patriotic and proud of my service, so if I can have a successful business while somehow giving back to the community, that’s true joy.”

Turner says there were several other benefits that caught his eye as a business-savvy entrepreneur. “JDog royalties are flat, so for the life of my agreement, I know what I will have to pay per territory,” he said. “In other franchise companies royalties waver between seven to 15 percent of your annual revenue.”

Turner was also drawn to the opportunity to enter the booming carpet cleaning industry. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the home services industry saw a massive boom as homeowners spent more time investing in projects that would better their living spaces. Now, in 2022, the segment shows no signs of slowing down, with the $5 billion carpet cleaning industry still thriving.

Now, Turner is beginning with one franchise unit and hopes to open in late summer 2022. His primary focus at the moment, he says, will be hiring Veterans and supporting the military community. “There are programs we are learning about through the Veteran Affairs that help Veterans get to work in the civilian world,” he said. “To help those who are struggling would be a blessing.”

Looking ahead, Turner says he would like to have 10 vans over the next few years and eventually service the entire Denver metro area covered with 25 vans. “We would like to leave a legacy for our children’s children, something that the family can grow and that has ties to my Veteran background,” he said.

JDog Brands founder and military veteran Jerry Flanagan says the team is eager to continue partnering with qualified Veteran entrepreneurs like Turner across the country. Currently, JDog is actively seeking franchisees to open franchise territories in markets like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and more.

“We have emerged as a leader in a very in-demand market, and we’re ready to take full advantage of that position with the help of Veterans like Zac Turner,” said Flanagan. “We are confident Zac will be the perfect fit for the JDog family and will provide a valuable service to both Veterans and homeowners in his Denver community.”

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care ranges from $37,909 to $169,947, including a $10,000-$25,000 franchise fee. For more information on franchising with JDog, visit https://www.jdogbrands.com/own-a-franchise.