FRANCHISING
Discount Purchase Program on Path to Break 2,000 Mark in 2010
A
merica’s military veterans haven’t been sitting idly by hoping the
economy will improve, according to the International Franchise Asso- ciation, which reported that sales of franchise-small businesses to former military personnel through its award- winning “VetFran” program have reached 1,778, an increase of more than 250 since last fall. And the association reports that there are nearly 250 other sales currently under negotiation. “This is an important milestone for
the VetFran program,” said IFA Chair- man Ken Walker, chairman and CEO of Driven Brands. “As more and more veterans learn how franchising can help them get into business for them- selves and start a new career after their military service, this program will con- tinue to grow.” Since 2002, the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, as the program is formally known, has enabled hon- orably-discharged veterans to apply discounts or other financial incentives to the purchase price of franchises in a wide variety of industries, ranging from auto repair services to restaurants to commercial and residential cleaning concepts.
Endorsed by the U.S. Dept. of Veter-
ans Affairs, VetFran today is supported by nearly 400 companies that are mem- bers of IFA. Some franchises offer vet- erans reductions of the initial franchise fee; others provide discounted inven- tories or waive certain franchise fees. On April 9, the association’s Interna-
tional Franchise Expo will open at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center for a three-day trade show featuring hundreds of franchise concepts on dis- play where future franchisees can get a closer look at the popular brands and meet with company representatives to gather key information about possible purchase.
66 HISPANIC NETWORK MAGAZINE
Veterans will be admitted to the
event without charge and are invited to attend a special, free seminar “Fran- chising 101 for Veterans” April 10, which will be conducted by veterans who are experts in franchising, includ- ing some who have purchased fran- chises by using the VetFran discounts. Veteran-attendees are encouraged
to look for the VetFran symbol which will be prominently displayed on the booths of participating companies. Additional details about the VetFran program, including a list of the partici- pating companies and the discounts they offer, can be viewed at
www.fran-
chise.org, where early Expo registration
Celebrating 18 Years of Diversity
can also be accomplished. Free copies of IFA’s April Franchising World maga- zine will also be distributed during the trade show which features the program and offer profiles of veterans who are enjoying their franchise-business expe- rience.
Recognized by VA’s Center for Vet-
erans Enterprise as a “Champion of Free Enterprise,” VetFran has also been honored by the American Society of Association Executives. The program is a volunteer effort conducted by the association and its members; it receives no federal funding.
Source: The International Franchise Association
www.hnmagazine.com
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