Roughly 14% of franchise business owners are former military, according to VetFran, a 20-year-old program from the International Franchise Association that encourages relationships between veterans and franchised businesses.
One of those veterans is Floyd Beck, who served 10 years in the Air Force. He and his wife are franchise owners of Assist-2-Sell Your Choice Realty in Mountain Home, Idaho. Before that, they owned a franchised coffee and juice shop.
Franchising allows owners to take advantage of brand recognition, he said.
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“A good franchise has a proven model of success that they will teach you to do and will ensure you stay on track with,” he said.
Franchising also offers those who are still serving, like members of the National Guard or reserves, the chance to run their own business while still being part of a structured, supportive team.
Veteran franchise options
Several industries have franchise opportunities, meaning veterans can choose the type that works best for them. Nationwide, hundreds offer veterans discounts and other special supports. Check out these franchises from a variety of industries that aim to attract former military:
- JDog Carpet Cleaning and Floor Care — The owner is a former soldier and National Guardsman who only offers franchise opportunities to veterans. So far, the company has more than 1,000 franchisees.
- British Swim School — This 36-year-old swim school uses existing pool spaces in local communities and offers a 20% discount off the initial franchise fee for honorably discharged veterans.
- Painting with a Twist — Ranked the top “paint-and-sip” franchise by Entrepreneur magazine in 2018, Painting with a Twist not only offers a 20% veteran discount for franchise fees, but a unique painting studio experience for consumers.
- Pet Butler — The pet-waste removal service gives veterans $4,000 in extra marketing credits.
- Ice House America — A pioneer in automated ice vending technology that sells bulk and bagged ice, as well as purified water, Ice House America waives half of startup fees, as well as the first year of royalties, for former military.
- Kilwins Chocolate — Veterans can satisfy their sweet tooth and save some money with $10,000 off the franchise fee.
- Granite + TREND Transformations — A kitchen and bath remodeling company that knocks $7,500 off the initial franchise fee.
- Burn Boot Camp — A female-focused fitness center offers a 15% reduction in initial franchise fees for veterans.
- WSI Digital — WSI Digital gives veterans 20% off franchise fees to run a digital marketing agency.
- Pronto Insurance — The auto and home insurance company discounts franchise fees by 25% for former military. Pronto also offers income tax and financial services.
- Home Instead — A senior care service that gives 20% off the franchise fee for veterans.
- College Hunks Moving — Honorably discharged veterans are majority-owners of this moving company, leading them to give a $5,000 discount on the initial franchise fee.
“A commitment to our nation’s veterans goes far beyond corporate social responsibility, patriotism and supporting our heroes. For franchisors, it is also a proven pathway to attracting some of the best prospective franchisees out there who leave the military with a skillset uniquely matched to franchising,” a spokesperson from VetFran said. “Dedication, perseverance and discipline imparted by years of military service combined with the entrepreneurial spirit of those veterans seeking franchise opportunities makes for a perfect combination, and franchisors know it.”
For a full list of franchises offering veteran benefits, visit the VetFran directory.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the name of the International Franchise Association. It has since been corrected.