Franchise Opportunities for Veterans
Franchise Opportunities for Veterans
VetFran: Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative
The VetFran Program was established in 1991, by the International Franchise Association (IFA). Partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Corporation, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, the initiative was set up to honor those who have served in the U.S. military.
The program aims to help honorably-discharged veterans progress into civilian life. It encourages franchise ownership by providing benefits, support, and information to veterans.
VetFran is a voluntary program, through which IFA member franchises offer financial incentives, to aid in the acquirement of franchises by veterans. VetFran currently has more than 260 franchise members, all of which are members of the IFA.
Anthony J. Principi, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs stated:
“Veterans are self-starters who possess an excellent work ethic. The VetFran program provides veterans who want to be in business for themselves a wonderful opportunity to get their feet in the door.
Little Caesars Veterans Program
Little Caesars is the largest carry-out pizza chain in the world, and 4th largest pizza chain in the US. The Little Caesars franchise system is expanding rapidly with restaurants on five continents.
Little Caesars created the ‘Little Caesars Veterans Program's as an act of gratitude to the veterans, and with the aim of encouraging veterans to join the franchising system and provide them with a new career opportunity.
Little Caesars VetFran Incentive:
Any honorably discharged veteran who meets the requirements of the CVE, M4L and Little Caesars. Benefit: Value approximately $10,000 - $68,000.
Little Caesars is not the only franchise to offer veterans franchise incentives to invest in a franchise opportunity, there are over 250 franchises to choose from! View the following list of VetFran member franchises and click on the links to view more information on each profile:
Table: VetFran Members
| Name | VetFran Incentive |
| Huddle House | 20 % discount off Franchise Fee |
| Kwik Kopy | 15 % discount off Franchise Fee |
| Learning Express | $5000 off Franchise Fee |
| Link Staffing |
25 % Discount off 1st franchise store |
| Maui Wowi | 15 % Discount off Initial Fee |
| Rapid Refill | 10 % Discount off Initial Fee |
| Sport Clips | normal cost $49,500 for veterans $44,500 |
| Team Logic | 5 % Discount off Initial Fee |
| Figaro's Pizza | $5000 Off Franchise Initial Fee |
| Careers USA | 10 % discount off Franchise Fee |
| Cartridge World | 15 % discount off Franchise Fee |
| FiltaFry | 10 % Discount off Territory Fee |
| MaggieMoo's | 15 % Discount off Franchise Fee |
| Two Men and a Truck | 10 % Discount off Initial Fee |
| Valpak | 20 % Discount Franchise, Training & Location Fee |
| AAMCO | $5000 off Initial Fee |
Source: IFA VetFran Directory
Benefits of the Veterans Program
The program which was set up in an act of gratitude to veterans includes the following benefits for veteran franchisees.
Honorably discharged veterans receive:
- $5,000 credit off the franchise fee for the first store
- $5,000 credit towards initial equipment for the first store
Honorably discharged service-disabled veterans receive:
- $20,000 credit off the franchise fee for the first store
- $10,000 credit toward initial equipment for the first store
- $18,000 credit towards initial marketing materials
Little Caesars National Vice-President, Mike Shaub, is a veteran like many others. Little Caesars strongly supports the Marine for Life organization, the IFA VetFran program, and the Center for Veterans Enterprise, which works closely together to provide information to veterans about joining the franchising system.
Lieutenant Colonel Francis Piccoli, from the U.S. Marine Corps stated:
"The Little Caesars Veterans Program provides honorably discharged and disabled service members with an outstanding opportunity to utilize their leadership skills to run a business. The significant credits and discounts, as well as special financing options, make this truly unique program a valuable and excellent option for our service members who transition to the civilian workforce each year - especially our wounded warriors who have sacrificed greatly for our Corps and country."
Statistics:
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Women Veterans Population October 2007
"The total veteran population in the United States and Puerto Rico, as of September 2007, was approximately 23.5 million. The population of women veterans numbered 1,744,580. States with the largest number of women veterans were California, Texas, Florida, Virginia and Georgia." (U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs)
- 40% of businesses owned by veterans are home-based.;
- Veterans made up 14% of the US self employed in 2001;
- The total military veteran population in the US is 24.9 million (Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005);
- There are 1.7 million women veterans in the United States (Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005).
Table 1.1 Veteran Population by Race Source: U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Office of Policy
Veteran Poopulation by Race
White Non-Hispanic 80 % Hispanic 6 % Black Non-Hispanic 11 % Other 4 %
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