Franchising Offers Solution for Military Vets to Adapt to Civilian Life

With specialized training under his or her belt and walking papers in hand, how does an individual, who spent so many years in the military, adapt to civilian life?

Acquiring a franchise may just be the solution. Franchising draws on parallels founded in all arms of military branches, with a strong work ethic and discipline being significant shared traits.

Successful franchisors have proven operating systems established, and in turn, search for franchisees to carry them out. Numerous military veterans have found franchised businesses to match their skills, and some exceptional programs are in place to enable veterans to pursue business ownership.

The Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative is one such program. Known as "VetFran," this voluntary discount program was designed to help former military personnel become small-business owners. As of Sept. 1, VetFran has enabled 612 veterans to acquire small businesses, compared to 385 a year ago, and more than 150 veterans are currently considering franchise purchases.

In recognition of franchising's wide variety of business concepts and sizes, the program allows each participating company to determine its own financial incentive. Typically, VetFran participants offer discounts of their initial fees, which make franchises more accessible to these first-time buyers. The only requirements established by the association are that participating companies be current members of IFA and offer the incentives to honorably discharged veterans. The association does not receive government funding for the initiative.

Verlo Mattress Factory Stores, the nation's largest factory-direct mattress retailer, recently enlisted in the program, offering a 15-percent discount to veterans.

Military veterans are finding small-business ownership to be a solution to adapting to civilian life. Verlo Mattress Factory Stores offers a franchise business model that military veterans can relate to.

Credit: Verlo Mattress Factory Stores

Copyright: Verlo Mattress Factory Stores