View IFA’s  VetFran Franchise Opportunities

First lady sends her first tweet:

“Military families serve our nation too. Let’s all show our appreciation by #JoiningForces with them. Get involved: JoiningForces.gov- mo”

Sport Clips Haircuts Kicks Off Effort to Help Heroes Call Home with Half Million Dollar Goal

For the fifth straight year, Sport Clips Haircuts is helping make phone calls home possible for deployed and hospitalized U.S. service members through its “Help a Hero” campaign, benefiting the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Operation Uplink™. Beginning October 17 through November 13, more than 800 Sport Clips locations nationwide will raise funds to continue to provide service members with free phone time once a month and on holidays throughout the year.

Since setting their first goal at $30,000 in 2007, Sport Clips has more than doubled their goal for the program each year. This year, the franchise is aiming to raise $500,000 for Help a Hero by collecting donations at check-out. Also, Sport Clips will donate $1 from every hair care service on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11 – what the company calls “The Biggest Haircut Day of the Year.” Learn more

Veterans’ unemployment outpaces civilian rate

Despite the marketing pitch from the armed forces, which promises to prepare soldiers for the working world, recent veterans are more likely to be unemployed than their civilian counterparts, according to an article by the Washington Post.  Veterans who left military service in the past decade have an unemployment rate of 11.7 percent, well above the overall jobless rate of 9.1 percent, according to fresh data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The elevated unemployment rate for new veterans has persisted despite repeated efforts to reduce it. Read more

How one Airforce veteran made a smooth career transition

The inside of a Snap-on Tools truck is unlike any hardware store you’ve ever seen. It could be overwhelming for someone looking to complete a few household repairs, but it’s a professional mechanic’s dreamland.

Hundreds of screwdrivers and pairs of pliers line the ceiling, leaving little empty space. Electronic diagnostic tools have their dedicated display on one wall, with power tools displayed opposite them. Drawers slide out of stainless steel toolboxes, revealing their vast inventories of sockets and wrenches.

The computer a the front of the truck processes sales and tracks orders and shipments, while a TV and DVD player show state-of-the-art product demonstrations. This showroom on wheels is as organized as a locker in a military barracks. And it’s no coincidence. The owner is an Air Force veteran. Read more

Franchising equals opportunity

Franchising enabled me to transition my military experience into small business ownership and a great career. I had 5 years in the military of which 3 were spent in Europe. That destination living in itself helps me know about some of the European countryside and places to go. Years of experience working with diverse people and meeting their needs within my field of profession at all times helps my sales ability. I worked in the finance field as my MOS and feel that knowledge plus additional experience outside of the military helps me keep my financial statement in order. – Katy Bachman

 

Why franchising works for veterans:

To date, over 415 franchise companies participate in the program. Their company profiles, as well as the financial incentives they offer to veterans, can be viewed on this VetFran Directory. For more information on jobs and veteran opportunities  Click here

Hiring our Heroes: Click to learn more

News:

• Huntsville Army veteran leaves corporate world for freedom of a franchise
• FranNet to Help Disabled Veterans Through Wounded Warrior Project
• Obama Calls Ending of U.S. Role in Iraq War an ‘Extraordinary Achievement’
• Domino’s Pizza owner plans burger delivery
• Michelle Obama Honors Military Families at White House
• Obama signs veterans job stimulus bill
• For Paralyzed Athlete, Franchise Is Good Fit
• Are Military Bases a Hotbed for Business?
• Guidant Partners with IFA and Joining Forces for Important Veterans Initiative
• Jersey Mike’s Donates $100K to Fallen Veterans
• Vets as entrepreneurs: How serving others inspired a career path
• Batteries Plus Re-Launches “Time to Care” Campaign
• Great American Cookies(R) Expands Great American Patriot Program
• Leading Through Uncertainty: Lessons in Managing From the U.S. Military
• PrintingForLess.com Donates $3,700.00 to Help Wounded Soldiers
• Taking military training to restaurant leadership
• How Veteran Franchise Centers Helps Veterans Follow Their Entrepreneurial Dream
• VetFran launches recruiting effort, campaign to enhance veteran small business ownership
• How One Army Veteran Made a Smooth Career Transition to Franchising
• More Ways Franchisers Are Helping Franchisees Get Loans
• IFA mentoring program welcomes franchise veteran
• Best-Selling Author and Navy Seal Eric Greitens to Address IFA Public Affairs Conference