Frequently Asked Questions

 

             

 

 

 

What is VetFran?

IFA’s VetFran strategic iniative, founded in 1991, includes more than 400 IFA franchisor member companies offering financial incentives, training and mentoring to veterans interested in small business ownership and/or a career path in franchising. Since the program’s inception, more than 2,100 veterans have become franchise business owners through VetFran.

Why was VetFran founded?

VetFran was founded by the IFA in 1991 in an effort led by Chairman Don Dwyer, Sr., founder of The Dwyer Group, to support veterans returning from the Gulf War transition to the civilian economy.

What is Operation Enduring Opportunity?

As hundreds of thousands of young men and women return from Iraq and Afghanistan, including many Wounded Warriors, the unemployment rate among veterans is 11.7 percent, and is a worrisome 22 percent for those 19-24. In response, the International Franchise Association and franchised businesses have launched Operation Enduring Opportunity, a campaign to hire, and recruit as franchise restaurant owners, 75,000 veterans and their spouses, and 5,000 Wounded Warriors, by 2014.

How does it work?

The IFA has partnered with the White House Joining Forces Initiative, the Small Business Administration and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in this unprecedented recruitment effort. Our members are setting company targets through the VetFran program, which offers recruitment tools and solutions as well as outreach to veterans. With the enactment of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, a veteran unemployed for over a month yields a tax credit to employers of $2,400. If a veteran has been unemployed for over six months, the credit is $5,600. The credit is $9,600 for hiring a veteran disabled in a combat zone who has been out of work for more than six months. The bill passed the House and Senate without opposition.

What is the “Help Veterans Own Franchising Act”?

The Help Veterans Own Franchises (HVOF) Act, sponsored by Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), establishes a tax credit for honorably discharged veterans to become small business owners by offering tax credits to offset start-up costs equal to 25% of franchise fees. The legislation is part of a bipartisan jobs bill co-sponsored by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Christopher Coons (D-Del.) and U.S. Representatives Richard Hanna (R-NY) and Bill Keating (D-Mass.) called the AGREE Act.

How many veterans have chosen franchising as a career path?

One out of every seven franchise businesses are owned and operated by veterans of the U.S. military, according to a recent study conducted for the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation based on U.S. Census data. More than 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. provide jobs directly for 815,000 Americans, and generate more than $41 billion in GDP.

Why are veterans successful in franchising?

• Veterans come back with strong leadership skills and a thorough understanding of teams. Military experience includes leading people, improving processes, and accomplishing the mission. Just like in the military, in franchising, the mission is accomplished by the team.

• Franchises run on systems, just like the military. Implementing systems is a key responsibility in the military, and that aspect translates to the franchise world.

• Franchises provide training. Veterans are trained and taught very specific skills to be used to carry out very specific tasks. Franchises have comprehensive training and support built into their opportunities. This means a veteran can enter into a completely new field, follow the franchisor’s proven business model, and receive the training, guidance, and support a new business owner needs to succeed.

• Franchises offer support. Joining a franchise, a once “separated” veteran can feel connected again, surrounded by a support structure and part of a franchise “family” – a culture many franchisors work to cultivate among their franchisees. In franchising, you’re in business “for” yourself, but not “by” yourself.

What should veterans consider when exploring franchise opportunities?

Seek out other veterans in the franchising. Create and access support networks. Prioritize what’s important. Consider different models (home-based vs. office-based, capital requirements, etc.) to find franchises that will be a good fit. Do research to understand the history of the franchise business and meet others who know and have succeeded in the franchise.

How can I find out about specific franchise ownership incentives for Veterans?

IFA’s VetFran members list incentives and training opportunities by company in our VetFran Directory. Please visit http://www.franchise.org/Veteran-Franchise.aspx.

What is the International Franchise Association?

The International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA works through its government relations, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising. Through its media awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the economic impact of the franchise industry, which supports nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic output for the U.S. economy. IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.

How can I support this effort?

Join VetFran by signing up at VetFran.com.