When PuroClean, a leader in property emergency services and the franchise restoration industry, first developed its PuroVet program, vice president of franchise development and PuroVet creator, Tim Courtney, dreamed of one day giving a free franchise to a veteran. As a former volunteer firefighter, Courtney has a heart for service and a passion for giving back to those in service of our country. He pitched the idea of a giveaway to President, Chief Operations Officer, and veteran U.S. Army Captain, Steve White, who agreed that a giveaway was a natural evolution of PuroClean’s established veteran program. Working together with the PuroClean team, White and Courtney ensured veterans knew where to turn after their service and how to best utilize their skills in the civilian workforce through PuroVet.
Established in 2017, PuroVet was founded on the principle that veterans already hold the keys to a secure future as entrepreneurs. Franchise ownership caters directly to a skill set already instilled within military veterans. Veterans are prepared to step in and serve at a moment’s notice. With a servant’s heart and strong mind, qualities that are a must in the restoration industry, veterans within the PuroClean system have shown that they are ready to be a pillar of hope for homeowners, who may find themselves standing in six inches of water in their living room or facing fire and smoke damage or mold contamination. The formalization of the PuroVet program was prompted by seeing success amongst this group, and the shared desire of those within the company’s leadership to do more to put entrepreneurship into the hands of those leaving active duty.
The restoration industry is one of resilience, withstanding the test of recessions and economic downturns. Day-to-day calls are supported by a team of people on a national level, so no PuroClean franchise owner is ever on an island. Through PuroVet, veterans of the U.S. armed forces save 25% off of the franchise fees typically paid to PuroClean by new franchise owners. In addition to the substantial discount on franchise fees, veterans are guaranteed:
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- 24/7 access to PuroClean’s Home Office support team
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- 10-15% off orders from some of PuroClean’s award-winning online custom printing providers of signage and vehicle graphics
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- Access to special financing, as well as discounts from suppliers
A pivotal moment came for the PuroVet program, and for PuroClean as a company, in November 2018, when Grant Springer became the first-ever veteran to receive a free PuroClean franchise. Springer, a 26-year United States Army veteran, benefited greatly from PuroClean’s innovative thinking, entering a newly launched contest in August 2018 and finding out about his win during a moving surprise ceremony at the company’s South Florida office. He will open his franchise in 2019 with the support of his family, along with his newfound family at PuroClean.
This spring, the PuroVet franchise giveaway will return, allowing active duty, retired, and honorably discharged service members to submit résumés and business plans to the PuroClean team for consideration. Details are expected to be shared soon, and the 2019 PuroVet franchise winner will be announced in tandem with Veterans Day in November.