Blog Post: Franchises Offer Special Incentives to Military Veterans

U.S. Veterans who served in any branch of the military can receive financial incentives to purchase franchised small businesses, not available to other franchise investors.

The future is bright for U.S. veterans, thanks to VetFran, a program started by the International Franchise Association (IFA), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Small Business Administration.  Through the VetFran program, veterans are eligible for financial incentives to purchase qualified franchised small businesses. These incentives are not available to other franchise investors.

This unique program helps honorably discharged vets transition from military life to business ownership.

Stacy Swift, a franchise broker and owner of FranNet Colorado is an avid promoter of the VetFran program to her military clients in Colorado . “This is a deal just for vets, and it helps our military personnel get a fresh start as business owners after they are discharged.  Financial incentives like these can help stimulate their businesses from the very beginning.”

The VetFran program was started in 2003, and since that time, thousands of veterans have taken advantage of incentives to get started as business owners. Franchisors that are members of IFA voluntarily offer these incentives through VetFran. The program has grown from just a handful of participating franchisors in the beginning to over 250 today.

Not only do these companies want to help people who have served their county, franchisors also see this as an opportunity to find quality investors who want to own and operate a franchise. 

Swift explains, “Honorably discharged service men and women are good investors in franchise businesses because they are disciplined and dedicated, they are natural leaders and team builders, and they respond well to a structured program – all the qualities that franchisors look for in potential franchisees.”

Swift knows the VetFran program inside and out, and she recently began working with the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs .  TAP provides assistance to military personnel who are transitioning from the military to the private sector, and who are considering investing in a business of their own.    

“Any potential client, military or otherwise, can utilize my services a FranNet broker at no charge. That’s particularly appealing for my military clients, especially here in Colorado where the military presence is so high. I ask all potential clients about their military history as part of my process to determine if they are eligible for the VetFran program.  Although there are only a select number of franchise companies currently participating in the VetFran program, that number is growing every year.”

For more information about franchise opportunities and military transitions, contact Stacy Swift of FranNet Colorado at 303-715-0397 or sswift@frannet.com.   

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About FranNet Colorado and Stacy SwiftWe are the Franchise Matchmakers in Colorado!  Stacy Swift is owner of FranNet Colorado located in Denver . FranNet Colorado is an affiliate of FranNet (Franchise Network), the world's original, premier network of franchise brokers and consultants with over 80 associates across the U.S., in Canada, Europe and Asia. FranNet consultants specialize in helping their clients find the right franchise through their exclusive matchmaking process, and their consulting services are no cost to their clients. Ethical and experienced consultants like Stacy provide guidance, information and support while helping clients achieve their goals of business ownership safely and affordably. Stacy offers free monthly webinars and seminars on franchising and on a variety of franchise opportunities. Contact Stacy Swift at 303-715-0397 or sswift@frannet.com.  Visit her websites at www.frannet.com and www.resaleyourfranchise.com.