Veteran-Friendly Food Franchise Opportunities
Franchise Opportunities for Veterans in the Food Industry
Cooks are the unsung heroes of the military. Without Mess Specialists and Culinary Specialists providing food and rations to the troops and sailors the volunteers in the armed forces would be stuck eating MREs and ramen noodles for the length of their military careers. Those who have served their country by serving their fellow servicemember may consider looking to private industry to put their talents to work for them. Those with more management and administrative skills will be perfect candidates for franchise options. Below is a list of a few restaurants that offer financial incentives to veterans for franchise opportunities in the food industry.
List of Veteran-Friendly Food Franchises
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Moe’s claims an average of over $1.5 million in average net sales per year and won the 2017 “Brand of the Year – Fast Casual Mexican Restaurant.” The restaurant also landed at number 170 on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2019 list of the 500 best franchises. It is obvious there is success to be had at Moe’s and veterans can take advantage of a $10,000 discount on the initial franchise fee of $30,000. That is a 33% savings!
Qdoba Mexican Grill
Qdoba opened its first restaurant in 1995 and have grown to over 700 facilities. The brand is strong and has 25 years of marketing power behind it. The licensing fee is $30,000 over a ten-year term. However, veterans receive a 20% discount. The fee from former military members becomes $24,000.
Schlotzsky’s
This Austin, Texas staple has been around since 1971 and has expanded to over 300 locations. Their footprint covers almost every state below the Mason-Dixon Line, but the restaurant lacks presence in the Northeast. The company ranked 349 on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2019 list of the 500 best franchises. Veterans receive $10,000 of the initial $30,000 franchise fee, or $37,500 if including a Cinnabon.
Schlotzsky’s parent company is Focus Brands, a company that also represents Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, Carvel, Jamba, McAllister’s, and Moe’s.
Philadelphia Pretzel Factory
The author’s personal favorite food is available as a franchise with a veterans discount of $1,776 off of the initial fee of $35,000. Philadelphia Pretzel Factory boasts a small, but tasty menu and as anyone who has ever eaten a soft pretzel knows, there’s always room for more. The company started franchising in 2004 and claims 45% of their franchisees run multiple locations, so there is satisfaction and longevity within the ranks.
Honey Baked Ham Company
A staple of some Midwestern states, the Michigan based Honey Baked Ham Company sells hams, turkeys, and roasts for all special occasions. They also provide a lunch menu for people looking for a quick bite while out running errands. The family-owned company has been in business since the 1950s and has expanded their franchise empire to nearly 500 locations. Market opportunities exist in every state except California which has an abundance of storefronts operating. The average annual net sales for the franchises run a hair over $746,000.
The start-up fee for a Honey Baked Ham Company location is $30,000, but comes with a significant 33% discount ($10,000) for qualified veterans.
RELATED:
- The UPS Store Waives Franchise Fee for Veterans For Limited Time
- Top Franchises for Veterans
- Patriot Bootcamp
- Choose Veteran-Owned Businesses as the Economy Normalizes
- SBA Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program
- The VA’s Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Program
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.
