If you're a veteran and you've ever wondered if franchising is
right for you, then you're in luck. According to industry
analysts, veterans make excellent franchise owners because
franchise ownership demands a specific set of characteristics, in
addition to a certain type of work ethic that particularly suits
most veterans and their lifestyles.
Why Are Veterans Good Franchisees?
Here are a few proven reasons why veterans make good franchise
owners:
The operational methods employed in successful franchise
business models mimic, in many ways, the procedures of a military
unit. A good franchise company will have in place a series of
standard operating procedures that insures consistency and
quality of the product and its day-to-day workings. These
procedures can be similar to the standard procedures of a
military operation or special unit project.
Many veterans, in the course of their active military careers,
manage to save money for future business opportunities. This
money is often sufficient to buy into a reputable and profitable
franchise location.
Personal Traits that Make Veterans Good Franchisees
By the nature of their own personal traits and military
training, most veterans have the discipline that it takes to
develop a business methodology that is essential in launching a
franchise and reaping profits within a short time frame.
Here are a few more personal traits that veterans usually
bring to the table as franchise owners:
Veterans understand the importance of basic procedures. In the
military, there are reasons why soldiers learn to walk, talk and
dress appropriately for given circumstances. In business, much
the same thing applies; there are procedures that can't be
broken, particularly when it comes to dealing with employees,
clients and customers.
Because of past military service, most veterans comprehend the
sort of teamwork that it takes to maintain the day-to-day
operations of a successful franchise. Likewise, veterans are
trained to become leaders. During their years in active duty,
they may have managed or operated a multimillion-dollar aircraft
carrier or protected a unit of their colleagues while leading
them into hostile territory. These leadership skills make them
eminently suited for owning and managing a successful franchise
business.
Veterans tend to be extremely well educated. According to Who
is Volunteering for Today's Military, a publication produced in
2005 by the U.S. Department of Defense, more than 90 percent of
today's military enlistees have a high school diploma and more
than 66 percent are in the top half of the country in verbal and
math skills.
Financial Opportunities for Veteran Franchisees
Today's veterans can take advantage of the Patriot Express
Loan Program, which offers quick loan approvals through the U.S.
Small Business Administration (SBA). These loans typically offer
the lowest interest rates available, usually at 2.25 percent to
4.75 percent. Additionally, the SBA offers support and advice for
veterans who are deciding about available franchise options.
For veterans across the country, franchises offer the
opportunity to own businesses in many different types of
industries, from food service to security, from printing to
financial services and healthcare and childhood education to the
fine arts.