By Nicole J. Harrell

In the midst of the Gulf War, the International Franchise Association (IFA) created the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran). VetFran was created to honor America’s veterans and to provide business opportunities for veterans who are transitioning to civilian life. Veterans are generally considered good franchisee candidates because of their leadership skills, discipline, willingness to work hard and ability to function as a team player within an established system.

More than 200 franchisors who are members of the IFA participate in VetFran and the voluntary program has recently surpassed the 600 mark in sales of franchises to honorably-discharged veterans.

The program allows each participating franchisor to determine the financial incentives that will be offered to franchisees. Typically, VetFran participants offer discounts on their initial franchise fees. These discounts make franchises more accessible to first-time buyers. The program does not offer financing, but many franchisor participants may offer financing to franchisees.

As an example of VetFran incentives, Little Caesar’s Pizza recently announced it will offer a $5,000 reduction in the franchise fee for the first store and a $5,000 credit on the initial equipment order. The deal is even better for service-disabled veterans who will have the entire initial franchise fee waived for the first store and a $10,000 credit on the initial equipment order.

VetFran does not receive government funding, but the U.S. Small Business Association, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Corporation have supported the initiative by promoting VetFran through their various channels of communication with veterans.

As of January 1, 2007, the following franchisors participate in the VetFran program: @WORK Franchise, Inc.; @WORK HelpingHands Services; @Work Medical Services; @WORK Personnel Services, Inc.; 1-2-3 Fit; 1800905GEEK (formerly Geeks on Call); 1-800 Water Damage; 1-800-DryClean, LLC; 1-800-GOT-JUNK?; 4Refuel Canada, LTD; 24seven Franchising USA Ltd.; AAMCO Transmissions, Inc.; ACTION International; Advanced Maintenance; AIM Mail Centers; Aire Serv Heating & Air Conditioning; All American; Deli & Ice Cream Shops; Allegra Print & Imaging; Alta MereWindow Tinting and Auto Alarms; Alternative Board (TAB); American Leak Detection, Inc.; American Poolplayers Association; American Prosperity Group; American Ramp Systems; AmeriSpec, Inc.; Andy OnCall Franchising; A-Pro Home Inspection Service; A Sweet Beginning Wedding Consultanting & Event Planners; All Tune & Lube (ATL International, Inc.); Bark Busters; Baskin-Robbins Incorporated; Bearclaw Coffee Company; Big O Tires, Inc.; BounceU; Budget Blinds, Inc.; Camp Bow Wow; Candy Bouquet International, Inc.; Cardsmart Retail Corporation; Careers USA; Cartridge World; Case Handyman Services, LLC; CGI International, Inc.; Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.; Chem-Dry; Children’s Orchard, Inc.; Cinnabon International Inc.; Cleaning Authority, The; Closet Tailors; CM IT Solutions; Coffee Beanery, Ltd, The; Cold Stone Creamery; Color Glo International; ComForcare Senior Services, Inc.; Comfort Keepers; ComputerTots/Computer Explorers; Concerto Networks, Inc.; Coverall Cleaning Concepts; Creative Colors International, Inc.; Crestcom International Ltd.; Critter Control, Inc.; Cruise Holidays; CruiseOne; Daily Grind Unwind; DataPreserve; Dinner My Way; Dogtopia (formerly known as Happy Tails Dog Spa; Doodycalls; Dream Dinners, Inc.; DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen by Worldwide; Dunkin’ Donuts, Inc.; Dunn Bros Coffee; Duraclean International Inc.; Edible Arrangements International, Inc.; EmQuest; EnergyCraft Systems, Inc.; Entrepreneur’s Source, The; EntryPoint; Exovations; Expense Reduction Analysts; Expense Reduction Consulting; Expetec Corporation; Express Personnel Services; ExxonMobil Corporation; FACES; Fantastic Sams; Fast-Fix Jewelry & Watch Repairs; Fastframe USA, Inc.; Figaro’s Italian Pizza, Inc.; Filta Group, Inc.; Flicko’s Video Workshop; FOCUS Brands, Inc.; Foot Solutions, Inc.; Friendly Computers; Furniture Medic, Inc.; Glass Doctor; Gold’s Gym International; Gotcha Covered Blinds; Grins 2 Go; Grout Doctor Global Franchise Corp.; Growth Coach, the; Gymboree Play & Music; Handyman Connection; Handyman Matters, Inc.; Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli Restuarants; HMA Franchise Systems, Inc.; HobbyTown USA; Home Helpers; Home Instead Senior Care; HomeTask Handyman Service, Inc.; HomeVestors of America, Inc.; Homewatch International, Inc.; HoneyBaked Ham Company and Cafe; Huddle House, The; i9 Sports; Inspect-It 1st Property Inspection; Instant Tax Service; INTERIORS by Decorating Den; Island Ink-Jet Systems Inc.; Jet-Black International; Juice It Up Franchise Corp.; KidzArt; Kitchen Tune-Up; Kwik Kopy Business Centers; Labor Finders International, Inc.; Lawn Doctor, Inc.; Learning Express, Inc.; Lemon Tree Family Hair Salon; Liberty Tax Service; Link Staffing Services; Little Caesars Enterprises; MaggieMoo’s International; Maid Brigade, Inc.; Mandler’s the Original Sausage Co.; MaidPro, Inc.; Marble Slab Creamery, Inc.; Marco’s Pizza; Matco Tools; Maui Wowi Franchising, Inc.; Max Muscles Sports Nutrition; Meineke Car Care Centers; Merlin 200,000 Mile Shops; Merry Maids, Inc.; Midas International Corporation; Mile High Karate, LLC; Milex Tune-Up and Brakes; Molly Maid, Inc.; Money Mailer, LLC; MonitorClosely.com; Moving Solutions Franchise, LLC; Mr. Appliance; Mr. Electric; Mr. Handyman; Mr. Rooter Plumbing; Mr. Transmission; MTO Cleaning Service; Multistate Transmissions; Nationwide Floor & Window Coverings; Navis Logistics Network; Netspace; New York NY Fresh Deli; Omni-Kleen Ltd.; Online Outpost Licensing Corp.; OpenWorks; Our Town; Out2.com; Outdoor Lighting Perspectives; OXXO Care Cleaners; Painting Pros, The; Pak Mail; Papa Gino’s, Inc. / D’Angelo Sandwich Shops; Parcel Plus; Parker Finch Management; Pauls Professional Window Washing, Inc.; Personal Training Institute; Pet Butler; Philly Franchising Company, The; Pillar to Post, Inc.; Pita Pit, Inc.; Planet Beach Franchising Corporation; Positive Changes Hypnosis; Postal Connections; PostalAnnex+, Inc.; PostNet International Franchise Corporation; Precision Tune Auto Care; Proshred Franchising Corp.; Purified Water To Go; PuroSystems, Inc.; RidgeviewTel Franchise, LLC; Rainbow International Restoration and Cleaning; Ritter’s Frozen Custard; Rolly Pollies International, Inc.; SafetyNet4kids; Salad Creations of America; Sarah Adult Day Services; Screenmobile Corp; SealMaster Franchise Group; Sears Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning, Inc.; Sell4Free Real Estate Systems, Inc.; ServiceMaster Company, The; Siegel Capital, LLC; Signs Now; Snap-on Tools; Snappy Auctions; Snelling Staffing Services; SuperCoups; Sparkle International, Inc.; Spherion Corporation; Sport Clips, Inc.; Spring-Green Lawn Care Corp.; Synergy HomeCare; Talent Tree, Inc.; TeamLogic IT; Togo’s Eatery – MTC Management, Inc.; Total Car Franchising Corporation; Travel Lines Express Franchise Group; TruePresence, LLC; TruFoods; TSS Photography; Two Men And A Truck International, Inc.; UPS Store, The; V’s Barbershop; Valpak Direct Marketing; Vanguard Cleaning Systems, Inc.; Verlo Mattress Factory Stores L.L.C.; Virginia Barbeque Franchise Company; Vocelli Pizza; We’re Rolling Pretzel Company; West Sanitation Services, Inc.; WIN Home Inspection; WineStyles, Inc.; Winfree Systems, LLC; Wing Zone Franchise Corporation; Wireless Zone; Woody’s Chicago Style; WSI Internet; and ZOUP! Systems.

For more information about VetFran visit the IFA website by clicking here or contact Nicole Duke.

The contents of this publication are intended for general information only and should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion on specific facts and circumstances. Copyright 2024.