Franchisors Rally To Expand Opportunities And Growth For Former Service Members
Flags waved. Elected officials took notice. ‘Thank you for your service’ was shared.
The International Franchise Association and, more importantly, franchisors who footed the bill, have been busy checking all the boxes during recent celebrations for VetFran’s 34th anniversary. But one box remains unchecked: the ongoing mission to educate military veterans who may not know about VetFran, let alone franchising, yet are among the most deserving of its opportunities.
In the case of VetFran (one of the most significant and heartfelt programs with a pathway into franchising), the work is never done.
According to VetFran, although veterans make up only about 7% of the population, they account for a whopping 14% of all franchisees in America. They’re more likely to hire other vets and spread the opportunity, prosperity and job creation that has made franchising one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy. The IFA’s mission and passion for VetFran is to continue to grow these numbers, connect talented and patriotic veterans with so much to offer with franchise business ownership opportunities.
So here’s a big thanks to those who hosted and organized gatherings including: Neighborly, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, EverSmith Brands, Burn Boot Camp, Turbo Tint, Ziebart, MilkShake Factory, Goldfish Swim School, the University of Denver and more.
With their help and hospitality (and budgets!), an important history lesson was shared. And the mission to get it in front of those who could benefit most marches forward.
A Great Idea Becomes an Incredible Reality
We can all give thanks to the late Don Dwyer, Sr., for starting us on this journey with an idea and his own funding to prove its worth. Visionary franchise founders are famous for taking those risks.
That’s the background Doug Dwyer, president and chief stewarding officer of DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen, gave at this year’s VetFran celebration at Neighborly headquarters in Irving, Texas.
His father, who founded the Dwyer Group — today known as Neighborly — established the Veterans Transition to Franchising Initiative, which has since evolved into VetFran. And whenever Dwyer had an idea, it was off to the races to make it happen. Indeed, VetFran ran for years out of the basement of Dwyer Group headquarters in Waco, Texas. Nobody knows for sure how many franchisees came through the program.
But the foundation was set and the theory proved true. Our country’s honorable men and women in the U.S. military have received the best training on Earth for following a proven system courtesy of Uncle Sam. And those skills transferred well into becoming franchisees at Dwyer Group and DreamMaker, a separate company.
Now tracking its success, some 291 veterans have joined Neighborly since 2021, and the company has awarded more than $2.5 million in VetFran discounts. Better yet, Chief Development Officer Brad Stevenson said Neighborly has a goal to award some 150 VetFran agreements a year.
Other franchisors joined the cause over the years, too, offering their best discounts to veterans interested in owning and operating a franchise. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, involvement catapulted once more alongside our country’s patriotism. And the IFA now houses the program where it resides today with the IFA Foundation.
Since 1991, VetFran has grown to some 600 member companies. Meanwhile, the mission marches on for more brands, more VetFran franchisees, and more grassroots education needs across the country.
Educating People about VetFran
VetFran has helped thousands of deserving men and women transition to civilian life and successful franchise ownership. It’s the guaranteed feel-good story on Veterans Day. This program earns national media attention for the heroes who have protected the very freedom under which our free enterprise system lives and breathes.
And it has a full-time staff of one at the IFA Foundation. By the way, she already has her next mission: VetFran’s 35th anniversary celebration. Godspeed, Wendy Kunz! Cheers to your focus to grow the message and enlist the helping hands of franchisors who are proud to stand with you. And kudos to the VetFran Committee full of franchisors who share that goal.
But here’s the reality. The success of VetFran rests on the shoulders of member franchisors who promote this on their own dime, support it within their own four walls, and shine the spotlight on VetFran franchisees who are living the dream. Therein lies the connection to tell the story to other military members who may see themselves on a similar trajectory.
That endgame does not reside with some deep pockets that do not exist at the IFA Foundation, a non-profit entity that gives attention to a full range of IFA programs, granting access to education and networking opportunities across the country.
Rather, it lives in the marketing programs of franchisor brands that, I know from personal experience over the last 30 years, have grown their networks because of it. The future of VetFran deserves that salute. Here’s to all of those who answer the call.
