The Restoration Franchise Boosts Veteran Initiatives with Training and Incentives
Veterans find a great fit with PuroClean and vice versa. To nurture the symbiosis, the 23-year-old commercial and residential property restoration franchise offers a financial incentive and specialized support to former military personnel. Its PuroVet incentive program began in 2018, and the franchise recently launched the PuroClean Veterans Forum to mentor its veteran franchisees and nurture a collaborative spirit among them.
PuroClean’s Vice President of Franchise Development Tim Courtney led the creation of the PuroVet program. “The inspiration behind PuroVet came from my experiences with military veterans. My father and grandfathers served. I never served, but my time as a third-generation firefighter in Levittown, N.Y., gave me the passion to give back to the wonderful community of individuals who sacrificed so much for our freedom.
“Veterans are ideal PuroClean franchisees because they have discipline, leadership, adaptability and a mission-focused mindset — all crucial in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of disaster restoration. I tell veterans, ‘Your military training has prepared you well for this industry. Leverage your skills, embrace the support system, and approach this new mission with the same dedication you showed in service.’”
Courtney describes PuroVet as a groundbreaking initiative to empower veterans who are transitioning into business ownership. “This program is more than the 25% discount on their franchising fee. It is a comprehensive support system that recognizes the exceptional skills and experiences that veterans contribute to our brand.” Numbers back up PuroVet’s success, he says: “PuroClean franchise owners who were military veterans were at about 3% in 2018. Today that number is 12%.” Data from the International Franchise Association shows that despite only making up 7% of the U.S. population, veterans make up 14% of all franchisees.
About PuroClean Veterans Forum
He sees the new PuroClean Veterans Forum as another vehicle for attracting veterans to the franchise and helping them and their employees succeed. “The goal is to expand mentorship, training and support tailored to a veteran’s unique experiences and skills. The PuroClean Veterans Forum will identify issues relevant to veteran franchise owners and their employees. It’s designed to facilitate increased veteran engagement in discussing topics such as mentoring, networking, business development, professional development, emotional and social support, resource sharing, and advocacy.”
These and other topics will be covered at the forum’s virtual town halls and regularly scheduled meetings. “Veterans will discuss common challenges, share best practices and receive targeted support from PuroClean leadership,” Courtney says. The first forum was held via a virtual town hall led by PuroClean President and Chief Operating Officer Steve White, a former Army captain. A PuroClean news release states that regular meetings will follow, including a meeting at the brand’s annual convention.
To further enhance the franchise’s outreach to veterans, Courtney points to PuroClean’s partnership with the National Veteran Business Development Council. “This partnership allows us to connect with a wider network of veteran-owned businesses and stay at the forefront of veteran entrepreneurship support,” he explains.
For more information about the PuroClean franchise, visit www.purocleanfranchise.com.
