Top Franchises for Veterans
The Top Franchises for Veterans
Some statistics note that one out of every seven franchises is owned by a veteran. From planning and communication to problem solving and leadership, veterans make some of the best franchise owners because of their knowledge, skills and experience gained in uniform. The best franchises for veterans offer discounts and special pricing along with dedicated support to their veteran franchisees.
How Do Franchises Work?
Franchises, also called chains, are hybrid business models combining entrepreneurial freedom and corporate structure.
According to the VA, there are two types of franchises. With product/trade name franchising, a franchisor owns a name or trademark and sells it to the franchisee. For example, a veteran franchisee owns a business that sells a branded product, like tools, household appliances or vehicles.
Veterans with a business format franchise might own a restaurant, hotel or a business to business (B2B) company. The veteran would buy not only rights to sell a product, but also the franchisor’s business system and services. The business format franchise is the most common type of veteran-owned franchise.
What Are the Best Franchises for Veterans?
There are franchise opportunities for veterans across many sectors: automotive, home décor, restaurants, hair salons, elder care, shipping, hardware, and more.
The best franchises for veterans offer more than just discounts. They have good name recognition, products or services in high demand, low competition in a geographic area, offer strong training and support systems, and are backed by a reliable parent company that actively recruits veterans as franchisees because of their unique experience and work ethic.
List of Top Franchises for Veterans
Many franchise companies offer veterans a 10 – 20% discount off initial franchise fees. However, some of these highly rated franchises for veterans offer discounts on the initial franchise fee. Some provide additional benefits to veterans starting out with their franchise.
Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels
Auntie Anne’s consistently lands in the top of food franchise rankings. They offer a variety of venue options for franchisees, from the traditional mall and airport locations to food trucks and street side locations. In the past, veterans paid a reduced initial franchise fee of $20,000 for any location they open.
RELATED: Veteran Friendly Food Franchise Opportunities
Biggby Coffee
This U.S. coffee chain is passionate about happy customers and community engagement, while bringing a casual, laid back vibe to the coffee shop experience. After starting in Michigan, Biggby’s gourmet coffee and specialty beverage locations are expanding across the nation. Qualified veterans receive 50% off the initial franchise fee.
Charleys Philly Steaks
This cheesesteak franchise has been franchising for about 30 years. One metric of its success is how often current franchise owners reinvest in new locations. Most of its franchisees start with no food service experience. Qualified veterans receive 50% off the initial franchise fee of $24,500.
Cinnabon
The world-famous cinnamon roll franchise has over 850 locations worldwide and continues to grow. Cinnabon offers a variety of venue formats, including a full bakery, an express bakery, and co-brand opportunities. Qualified veterans receive a $10,000 discount off the regular initial franchise fee of $30,000.
Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc.
Dale Carnegie Training started in 1912. Today, the Dale Carnegie & Associates franchise delivers corporate training services in workplace learning and professional development to businesses of all sizes and individuals across the globe. Pasr options for veterans included 50% off the initial franchise fee.
Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment franchisees help local businesses find qualified employees, and help their neighbors find meaningful work. This #1 staffing franchise has over 850 locations across the U.S., Canada and South Africa and continues to grow. Veterans have received 50% off the initial franchise fee in past startups.
Fast Signs
Fast Signs specializes in providing visuals to businesses like interior decor, promotional products, printing mailers, digital signage, and exhibits. Actively recruiting veterans, 10% of Fast Signs franchise owners are veterans. Veterans can get 50% off the initial franchise fee and receive additional benefits as franchise owners.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Combining a fast, made to order, Southwest themed menu with a casual attitude and fresh food theater, Moe’s offers U.S. and international franchise opportunities. The franchise has taken full advantage of the growth in off premise revenue streams and is positioned for continued growth.
Pirtek
This industry leading franchise meets the nonstop industrial demand for hydraulic and industrial hose replacement services. Pirtek offers 2 franchise options for a potential franchisee, either a storefront with a mobile fleet, or a single Mobile Sales & Service unit. Pirtek has offered 30% off the initial franchise fee to qualified veterans.
The Cleaning Authority
The Cleaning Authority franchises offer their customers full service home cleaning using environmentally friendly products. The Cleaning Authority has in the past offered franchise formats based on territory size and franchisee budget. Qualified U.S. and Canadian veterans have received up to 30% off initial franchise and territory fees.
The Maids
One of the largest domestic cleaning companies in the U.S. and Canada, the top-ranked The Maids franchise has offered residential deep cleaning to its clients for over 40 years. Franchisees don’t need to have residential cleaning experience. Veterans have received $4,000 off the regular initial franchise fee of $10,000 in past support.
The UPS Store
More than 200 veterans own more than 300 The UPS Store franchises nationwide. This top ranked franchise for veterans has been the #1 postal and business services franchise in the U.S. for decades. Qualified veterans have qualified for up to $10,000 off the franchise fee in past promotions.
Tropical Smoothie Café
With a menu combining smoothies and food to meet the growing demand for healthy and fresh fast food, Tropical Smoothie Café franchises are one of the fastest growing food franchises in the U.S. Franchisees have multiple revenue streams: dine-in, drive-thru, delivery, and catering. Veterans have been offered up to 50% off the regular initial franchise fee of $30,000.
Ziebart
The auto appearance and protection franchise, Ziebart, started in 1962. Products have been expanding with the times and now include bed liners, auto wraps, and more. Zeibart now has locations in 32 countries and the average length of franchise ownership is 26 years. Veterans have been offered a “no initial franchise fee” option through Ziebart’s veterans ‘Assistance Program.
RELATED:
- Choose Veteran-Owned Businesses as the Economy Normalizes
- Where Should Veterans Choose to Live After the Military
- SBA Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business program
- Solid Start: Helping Veterans Transition to Civilian Life
- Getting a Degree in Business Administration
- The VA’s Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of franchises are best for veterans?
The best franchises for veterans offer a variety of opportunities across industries like automotive, home décor, restaurants, elder care, and more. These franchises also provide dedicated support, discounts, and strong training programs to help veterans succeed.
What benefits do veterans get when opening a franchise?
Many franchises offer veterans discounts of 10% to 50% off the initial franchise fees. Some franchises, like Ziebart, even waive the initial franchise fee altogether, making it easier for veterans to enter the business world.
Are there specific franchise opportunities that cater to veterans?
Yes, several top franchises actively recruit veterans, offering exclusive discounts and benefits. Some well-known veteran-friendly franchises include Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels, Biggby Coffee, Cinnabon, and The UPS Store.
About the author
Lori Waddell serves as Co-director of an emergency response COAD in Montana, a freelance writer, and an Air Force Key Spouse. She is passionate about empowering communities and individuals through knowledge and resources. She currently lives in Montana with her husband and two children.
