Veterans are often wondering what comes next after their time in service. For those with an entrepreneurial spirit considering business ownership, franchising is a great option to consider. Veterans and franchising make an excellent match – a business with systems and processes already in place, plus the network of support and recognizable brand behind them. By Wendy Kunz

Veterans are often wondering what comes next after their time in service. For those with an entrepreneurial spirit considering business ownership, franchising is a great option to consider. Veterans and franchising make an excellent match – a business with systems and processes already in place, plus the network of support and recognizable brand behind them. Many of the skills that veterans learn in the military are the same that make them successful franchisees. That’s why veterans make up 14% of all franchisees, compared to only 7% of the general population.

The International Franchise Association’s VetFran program is one of the best ways to connect veterans with opportunities in franchising. Over 500 national franchise brands are part of the VetFran community, with many offering discounts on their services and their initial franchise fees. The perfect jumpstart to help you go into business for yourself but not by yourself. Check out the brands at: https://www.vetfran.org/company-directory/.

In 2024, VetFran has been focused on educating veterans about franchising and how and why it may be the perfect fit for them. The program has taught hundreds of veterans a Franchising 101 curriculum, both live and in person through military partnerships. Most recently, VetFran brought together veteran franchisees from across the country to visit the nation’s capital to meet with their lawmakers and advocate for franchising, sharing more about the ways the franchise business model helps support our nation’s veterans.

There are opportunities at every corner for veterans to understand what the franchise business model is all about and why it is a great way to continue serving others and giving back, long after their military career.

This Veterans Day and every day, we give a special thank you to our men and women in uniform – and all those who have come before them, expressing our gratitude for they have done to protect our freedoms.

Wendy Kunz, Director of Veteran Programs, International Franchise Association

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Celebrating 57 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and nearly 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.

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