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THE INTERFACE FINANCIAL GROUP® provides specialty financial services for expanding companies. INTERFACE franchisees focus on "purchasing receivables'" in order to accelerate their clients' cash flow.
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FASTSIGNS Centers use state-of-the-art computer technology to create custom signs, graphics, banners, trade show exhibits, vehicle graphics and much more. A pioneer in the sign industry, FASTSIGNS has continued to grow by optimizing its systems and expanding the scope of its products and services.
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LIQUID CAPITAL is an international network of franchise owners who help small- and medium-sized businesses grow and succeed through factoring - a specialized financial service providing immediate funding on credit-worthy account receivables.
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Enviro-Master's primary focus is the sanitization of restrooms, rendering them germ-free and eliminating the cross-contamination of disease,. We also offer savings on soap, paper and chemical products, which often offset the cost of our hygiene services.
Franchising: Alive and Well Among Our Veteran Community
USA Today's Top 50 Franchises for Veterans in 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
By Rob Bond and Annie Barbarika
In this fourth annual survey of veterans in franchising, the news is overwhelmingly positive. First and foremost, the US is finally decreasing its role in Afghanistan, the end result being that our military forces will be completing their tour and coming home from both Iraq and Afghanistan.
The best statistics on the overall role of military veterans in franchising have been collected by the IFA. Through their VetFran Program, with over 580 participating franchisors, coupled with the White House-led Operation Enduring Opportunity, over 4,300 military veterans and spouses have become franchisees since November 2011. Additionally, franchisors have employed nearly 65,000 veterans during this same period. On April 30th, the White House announced that 290,000 veterans and military spouses have been hired or trained since the launch of the program, with VetFran contributing almost a quarter of this total.
For this year’s survey, the World Franchising Network (WorldFranchising.com) asked over 3,000 franchisors to return a questionnaire that detailed the involvement of military veterans in their programs and the “discounts” they are offered in terms of initial investment, franchise fees, and on-going royalties. Detailed profiles of 426 firms can be found on Franchises4Vets.com. From this very impressive list, we selected the 50 companies that we feel not only had the best representation in their operations (including franchised units, company-owned units, and among the ranks of senior management), but also for the individual programs that they have created to attract veterans. It is worth spending some time going to the website to investigate the various industry groupings and specific systems that interest you.
There are several companies that have over 15% veteran-owned franchised units, including:
| Franchisor | Franchised Units | Vet-Owned Units | % Vet-Owned |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAN-PRO Cleaning Systems | 13,560 | 5,230 | 38.6% |
| WIN Home Inspection | 176 | 60 | 34.1% |
| ColorTyme Rent-to-Own | 219 | 55 | 25.1% |
| Advanced Maintenance | 11 | 2 | 18.2% |
| Kitchen Tune-Up | 155 | 28 | 18.1% |
| Mosquito Squad | 125 | 21 | 16.8% |
| Wild Birds Unlimited | 287 | 45 | 15.7% |
| CruiseOne | 820 | 127 | 15.5% |
| Matco Tools | 1,500 | 230 | 15.3% |
| Anytime Fitness | 2,165 | 327 | 15.1% |
It is also worth noting that two smaller franchises—not included among the Top 50 because of their size—have a great veteran participation rate.
| Franchisor | Franchised Units | Vet-Owned Units | % Vet-Owned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Wellness | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| Steelhouse Fitness | 2 | 1 | 50% |
Offsetting these very positive strides is the reality that unemployment among veterans (those leaving active duty within the past 10 years) is 11.7%, versus an overall jobless rate of 7.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Clearly, these discrepancies must be addressed.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that discounts are only one element of the due diligence process. It is critical to investigate all facets of the franchise program being offered. These include financial performance representations (Item 19 in Franchise Disclosure Documents), annual growth, outstanding lawsuits, management, etc. It is also of the utmost importance that you work with a knowledgeable professional (franchise attorney, financial advisor, or experienced broker with no vested interest in steering you) who has been through the acquisition process many times. Good luck in finding a franchise that works for you!
