Franchising USA - Veterans Supplement - November 2014 by CGB Publishing

november 2014

Veterans in Franchising www.franchisingusamagazine.com

PIRTEK

The Perfect Fit

Game Over?

Not for this Marine Corps Vet

Tutor Doctor

To Assist Veterans Franchising USA

feature

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To work independently To your workown independently To set work schedule To work independently To set your own work you schedule To work at something enjoy To set your own work schedule To To work at something you enjoy control your own salary To To work at something you enjoy control your own salary To control your own salary

Want To Be Your Want To Be Your Want Be Your OwnToBoss… Own Boss… Own Boss…

“BUILDING AMERICA WITH AMERICAN HEROES”

www.VeteranFranchiseAdvisers.com www.VeteranFranchiseAdvisers.com www.VeteranFranchiseAdvisers.com “BUILDING AMERICA WITH AMERICAN HEROES”

Veterans make great franchise Veterans make greattraining franchise owners! Your military has Veterans make great franchise owners! Your military training has taught you many things that transfer owners! Your military training has taught youthe many things that transfer well into world of franchising. taught youthe many things that transfer well into world of franchising. well into the world of franchising.

Take Control Of Take Control Of Take Of YourControl Future… Your Future… Your Future…

A Business Of Your Own! A Business Of Your A Business Of Your Own! Own!

Take Advantage of Our Take Advantage of Our Take Advantage of Our Free Expert Help Free Help Free Expert Expert Help Today! Today! Today!

Make Your Next Career… Make Your Next Make Your Next Career… Career…

Now its time to build a future for you and your family.

You served your country proudly. You served your country proudly. You served your country Now its time to build a future for you andproudly. your family. Now its time to build a future for you and your family.

V eterans in F ranchisin g S upplement november 2 0 1 4 Our Veterans in Franchising special supplement has become a regular feature of Franchising USA. To share your story in the next issue, please contact Vikki Bradbury, Publisher Phone: 778 426 2446 Email: vikki@cgbpublishing.com

Contents Cover Story

Franchisee in Action

38 PIRTEK. The Perfect Fit

40 Teen Road to Safety

Profiles

News & Expert Advice

42 Furniture Medic 48 Tutor Doctor

44 Franchises Offer a World of Opportunities Tariq Farid, Edible Arrangements

Focus

50 Will Crowdfunding Help Make Acquisition of Franchise Opportunities Easier? Jim Mingey, Veterans Business Services

46 Money Mailer 52 GameTruck

54 Veteran News VetFran: A Growing Network

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V e t er a ns i n Fr a nch isi ng

C over S tor y - Pi rt ek

PIRTEK

The Perfect Fit One of the marks of a good leader is that he’s not only good at what he does, but makes others around him better at what they do. It’s this type of leadership that earned Jim Lager, owner of multiple PIRTEK locations in Dallas, the Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine 2014 Most Valuable Performer Veteran Award. After buying his first PIRTEK franchise in 2010, Lager turned some heads by having the highest first and second year sales of any United States PIRTEK franchise in its history. PIRTEK is a business to business franchise that services, maintains, installs and replaces hydraulic hoses and fittings. All PIRTEK franchises consist of a storefront, and a fleet of vans to perform on-site service. Because of his meteoric rise within PIRTEK, Lager joined the company’s franchise advisory council and immediately started contributing valuable ideas. Lager then found himself giving motivational speeches at the owner’s conference to tell them how he was doing so well, which prompted vice-president of franchise development Gwyn O’Kane to approach Lager about working with some of the company’s franchises on the west coast, which were having a difficult time recovering from the recession. Happy to help out his fellow franchisees, Lager headed to the west coast and spent a week in San Francisco before he and the company decided that he should develop

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his own program and take it to the various other PIRTEK west coast franchises to help them get their sales up.

routes he was responsible for with training and helping franchisees grow their businesses.

Some of those stores, like the PIRTEK in Kent, WA, went from being in the bottom 10 percent to being in the top 30 percent in the country under Lager’s tutelage.

Lager credits Snap On with giving him a great opportunity. He exited the army reserves young and with no money, as he recalled. But, Snap On gave him a chance and within nine months of joining the company as an employee, he was a franchisee.

“I took them from losing cash to making cash and now they’re actually growing to be a profitable business,” Lager said during a recent interview from his own office in Dallas. The program he developed was hardly rocket science, though, the veteran said. He merely took his experience from his time at Snap-On Tools and combined it with obvious sales techniques that focused on the customer relations experience. But, sometimes, he pointed out, it’s the obvious techniques that people can miss the easiest. He actually went out with sales managers on customer calls and gave them direction on how to reach out to customers, what to say and how to keep track of what they were doing and he made it all simple enough that they could easily adopt it. O’Kane said Lager really deserves the Veteran’s Award for franchising because he truly understands the importance of the franchising system and that it’s not just about the individual franchisees being successful, but about everyone within the system and the system itself being successful.

Snap On Experience Lager had perhaps the perfect background for putting together the program that he did with PIRTEK. Prior to purchasing his PIRTEK franchise, he spent time with Snap On Tools as both a franchisee and an employee of the company as a field sales manager, meaning he had 12 different

He was with Snap On for several years, running a franchise and then moving into his field sales manager position. Eventually, he left and opened his own independent business, but he sold that and went back to Snap On as a franchisee again, this time growing his business up to five franchises. And then he found PIRTEK. “That’s what really changed my life and it’s an opportunity that I was really able to grow with and do what I wanted to do with a franchise,” Lager said. He currently owns two PIRTEK franchises and is working on opening his third one by the end of this year. What Lager likes about PIRTEK is that you can build a team around you to help run the business, meaning it’s not just a one-person show. Plus, it’s also a lucrative business. “You can make a really good living with just one franchise in this business,” he noted.

Military Service For Lager, having a team that he can rely on harkens back to his military days. In the military, he said, you have to work in teams and you don’t get to choose your teammates, but you are expected to make it work regardless. “You have to work as a team and your environment isn’t always ideal, but you

It’s this ability to make the best of any situation regardless of the team you’re surrounded by that Lager said he brings over to his franchising business from his military days. He joined the U.S. Army air defense in 1985 and was stationed in Germany for two years before joining the Army Reserves in Minnesota. He left the reserves in 1991 and joined Snap On.

Veteran Savvy Veterans are a natural fit into a franchising system, PIRTEK’s O’Kane said. In the U.S., PIRTEK has about 10 owners who are veterans that come from the Navy, Army and Marines.

Jim Lager

still have to make it work at the end of the day,” he said.

“We find veterans are excellent because they make great franchise entrepreneurs because they’ve got that entrepreneurial spirit and they’ve got that willingness to follow a program,” O’Kane said during an interview from the company’s Rockledge headquarters. With their U.S. headquarters stationed in Rockledge, FL., PIRTEK now has 48 locations and another two set to open in the U.S. by the end of the year. The company started in Sydney, NSW in Australia back in 1980 and is currently active in 23 countries with about 400 locations worldwide. PIRTEK is part of the VetFran Directory program, run by the International Franchise Association, and the company offers discounts off of its franchise fee for veterans, O’Kane said. As for advice for veterans who are transitioning out of the military and into civilian life and are looking at franchising, Lager said it’s important to do research and pick the right franchise for themselves because there are a lot to choose from and they might not be a good fit for all of them. But, he added, with so many franchises to choose from, any veteran should be able to find one that is a good fit for them. For more information visit: www.pirtekusa.com Article by Rob Swystun.

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Teen Road to Safet y

From Employee to Franchise Owner “I purchased the franchise because of the business model of using retired law enforcement officers as instructors and the professionalism of the way we teach.”

Dan Mulrenin

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Often with franchises, an employee who works for the business will enjoy it so much that they want to get involved as an owner.

(retired as a lieutenant) purchased his Teen Road to Safety franchise in May 2011.

That’s exactly what happened with Dan Mulrenin, a former instructor with driving academy Teen Road to Safety, who is the company’s first franchisee.

“I purchased the franchise because of the business model of using retired law enforcement officers as instructors and the professionalism of the way we teach,” the franchisee said in a recent interview.

Mulrenin, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1975-79 (honorably discharged as a sergeant) and then as a Los Angeles Police officer from 1980-2008

Prior to purchasing his franchise, Mulrenin was an instructor at the driving academy. He respected the fact that Teen Road to Safety president Andrew Wunderlich was dedicated to teaching safe driving.

Although focusing on teenagers, the company teaches all people who are old enough to drive using the same training

methods that police officers receive for their own driver training.

Captain of his own ship After serving in the military and then on a police force and finally as an employee in a business, Mulrenin wanted to know what it was like to be his own boss, so he jumped at the chance to go from instructor to franchisee. Being involved with the business already meant that it was extremely easy for him to transition into being an owner. Mulrenin said Wunderlich was helpful in showing him the management side of the business and the on-going support that TRTS provides continues to be an important resource for him.

that getting the business started was a lot of work, but his work/life balance is getting better now. He doesn’t do as much instructing anymore, instead leaving that to his top notch team while he concentrates on the marketing of the business. Learning this side of the business is something that prospective franchisees need to be prepared for he says, however having the support of a great system behind you really makes the difference.

Like most franchisees, Mulrenin found

“It is challenging, fun and you have to

be very dedicated,” Mulrenin said. “The rewards of being your own boss are very gratifying.” However, even more gratifying for Mulrenin is the fact that Teen Road to Safety can have such a positive impact on people’s lives through the company’s dedication to teaching teens and adults to drive safely. For more information visit: www.teenroadtosafety.com

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Fur nitu re M edic

a family’s belongings sustained during relocation, he understood the enormous need in the furniture repair industry. Pair that demand with his lifelong hobby of building furniture and the fact that he also loves engine mechanics, and purchasing a Furniture Medic franchise was a match made in Heaven. Or at least, for Pierce, a match made in Wichita Falls, Texas. The North Texas town is home to Sheppard Air Force base and is just across the state line from Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Among Pierce’s many clients, he’s happy to count people serving in the military. “I’m humbled every day to be able to interact a lot with Army and Air Force personnel,” he said. “Giving back to folks in the military is a really rewarding part of my business.”

Ron Pierce When Ron Pierce retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years as a Cardiopulmonary Technician, he was interested in maintaining that sense of fulfillment and joy in a new vocation. He found it as a Furniture Medic franchise owner. Transitioning from repairing hearts and lungs to repairing furniture may not seem like a natural next step, but Pierce says his new career lets him use his problemsolving and free-thinking skills to help other people find new life in objects they value and cherish.

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Profile

“I have always been one to reap what I sow,” Pierce said. “Being fully responsible for my results brings a sense of accomplishment that you can’t get anywhere else.” And Pierce knows about rewarding work. Not only did he work stateside as a medic in the cardiac cath lab and manager of a sleep disorders clinic for the Air Force, he had two deployments as a member of a critical care trauma team. His deployments supported Operations Northern Watch and Iraqi Freedom in 2002 and 2003. Pierce’s expertise was recognized by Air Force leadership, and he culminated his career as the advanced course curriculum developer for his cardiopulmonary career field. At a friend’s suggestion, Pierce worked in moving claims when he first retired from the military in December 2010. Seeing first-hand the bumps and bruises

Pierce normally limits his service area to a 75-mile radius, but has had special requests to travel 250 miles or more. A few of his many satisfying projects, include refinishing all 175 dining room chairs for a retirement village, thrilling the elderly residents with their “new” chairs, and restoring an antique Partners Desk from the 1800s. At four by eight feet, it was a very large piece with built-in drawers in the top slab and three leather inlays that all required precision detail restoration. The owner, the president of an oil and gas company, remembered the piece from decades earlier and had originally wanted it in his home. But when he saw the restored desk, he wanted it in his office for all to see. Beyond his profession of bringing new life to cherished possessions, renovating cabinetry and rescuing new furniture from delivery mishaps, Pierce gives back personally. He supports a therapeutic horseback riding farm in his community, teaches Sunday School, and serves on the Education Policy Team of his state representative’s office. He also enjoys golf and camping with his wife and three teenage sons. For more information visit: www.furnituremedic.com

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V e t er a ns i n Fr a nch isi ng

Tariq Farid, Founder and CEO, Edible Arrangements

Now More Than Ever, Franchises Offer a World of Opportunities for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vets

Tariq Farid

For years, franchising has been known as a fulfilling post-service career option for military veterans. The numbers back it up too. One out of every seven franchise businesses in America is owned and operated by veterans of the U.S. military, according to a recent study conducted for the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation, and based on

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U.S. Census data. More than 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. provide jobs for 815,000 Americans, generating more than $41 billion. At Edible Arrangements, some 600 veterans are employed in our locallyowned stores and we have a goal to ensure that we create at least 1000 jobs within the next year. We currently have dozens of franchisees who are veterans and we plan to boost this number with our Heroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Welcome program which offers a reduced franchise fee for U.S. military veterans. It is estimated that one million vets will

be returning home over the next five years. Opportunities to transition from the military to the civilian job market are critical, to prevent returning vets from having higher-than-average unemployment rates. Franchising can play a major role in this transition. There are number of reasons that the franchise business model has always been - and will continue to be a perfect fit for America’s veterans.

Franchise operations mimic military ones Strict protocols and chain of command are a way of life in the military, and also in franchise operations. While vision and drive are critical, it’s also important that franchisees have an ability to work within prescribed guidelines that have proven the test of time.

Most franchises offer veterans reduced-fee loans and subsidies Some franchise companies provide a discounted franchising fee to veterans. We do this at Edible Arrangements and it’s just a small way to thank veterans for their courageous service. Additionally, loans in excess of $1billion are available to returning service men and women through special veterans’ programs administered by the government. Veterans’ ability to handle risk, adapt to change and continue to persist, make them more suited, in many cases, to handle everything that business ownership may throw their way. Lenders know this and that is why franchises remain one of the nation’s most stable and healthy investments.

Franchises provide training From the day they enter boot camp, veterans know that ongoing training is a part of military life. An ability to stay abreast of the latest techniques and technologies can mean the difference between success or failure and, in some cases, life or death. As a result, I have found veterans some of the best students when it comes to our

“U.S. military veterans have the qualities that every franchisor is looking for and have a huge potential to become the standard-bearers for their brands.” training programs at Edible Arrangements. I have found that veterans are always on the look-out for a competitive advantage and they are among the first to ask to be a part of testing new programs and initiatives.

Franchises need leadership and decision making ability Leadership and an ability to make decisions are two characteristics I have found in every veteran who has become a franchisee at Edible Arrangements. Through training and experience, they have honed these skills to where they have become second nature. Business owners are faced with circumstances that are constantly changing, sometimes without warning, and snap decisions must be made. Last year’s severe winter caused some of our franchisees to make unique, inthe-moment choices that enabled them to weather the storms and provide 100 percent satisfaction for our customers, safely and without incident!

Franchises thrive on commitment Even with proven systems and processes in place, running a franchise business is hard work, sometimes requiring long hours. Of course, that is nothing new to someone who has spent any time in the military. In fact, this is often when veterans are at their best - riding the adrenaline rush that comes by pushing yourself more than you ever thought possible, seeing a situation through to success.

Franchises inspire and encourage philanthropy According to FranchiseHelp, whether

it’s on a national level or in an individual franchisee’s neighborhood, the world’s best franchises not only generate profits but contribute meaningfully in their communities. Veterans know about sacrifice and service. I have found that our military veterans appreciate everything they have and the opportunities our country has given them. As a result, they have a burning desire to continue to serve and help others. In short, U.S. military veterans have the qualities that every franchisor is looking for and have a huge potential to become the standard-bearers for their brands. If, over the next few years, franchisors make a concerted effort to reach out to U.S. military veterans, not only will their companies benefit, but we might begin to close the unemployment gap faced by those who have given so much to our country. Tariq Farid is the Founder and CEO of Edible Arrangements. The company began in 1999 with one small store in East Haven, Connecticut. Through franchising, the company has grown to 1,200 stores in 14 countries and territories in just 15 years. Farid is a champion of the franchising model as a great way to grow a large business, but also firmly believes becoming a franchisee is the pathway for successful small business ownership. For information on Edible Arrangements’ franchise opportunities for Veterans: www.ediblearrangements. com/FranchiseOpportunities/ RequestInformation.aspx For information on International Franchise Association’s VetFran Program: www.vetfran.com/about-vetfran/

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V e t er a ns i n Fr a nch isi ng

M oney M ailer

s e t a l s n a r T n a Veter o t n i g n i n i a r T y Militar y vv a S s s e n i s u B

Tom Wisdom

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Living up to his name, Tom Wisdom made a wise decision about twoand-a-half decades ago when he purchased a Money Mailer franchise.

Internet to mobile devices and on social media.

Now this army veteran and his wife Judy are getting ready to pass along the business to their son, who has been involved with it for the past 10 years.

He even credits it with inspiring his sales technique. “I joke to people, but I sell by ambush, I really do,” Wisdom said during a recent interview from his home office in San Antonio, TX.

Money Mailer is a hyper-local marketing services franchise that provides local business owners with marketing solutions so they can reach their best prospects with coupons delivered in the mail, on the

While Wisdom had a lot of sales and management experience as an executive at 3M, he credits his military experience with giving him the discipline to follow Money Mailer’s proven 35-year operating system to get out on the street and scale his business.

The “ambush” that Wisdom refers to is the way he goes into a business armed with so much knowledge about it that he may even know the business better than

the people he’s talking with who work there. Money Mailer provides extensive marketing databases on every business category so franchisees can work with business owners as marketing consultants understand their goals and objectives and develop customized marketing campaigns that bring more of the right customers in the door. “I’m part of their marketing staff,” he said. “I’m the cheapest employee they’ve got. They don’t pay me a salary, they don’t pay me benefits, they don’t pay me workman’s comp, they don’t have to pay me termination fees and if I’m not doing a good job for them, they just quit talking to me.” He goes in focused on what the client needs and how he can help them and is highly motivated to perform to make them successful and, Wisdom said, the army taught him that focus.

Service Career Wisdom attended Texas A&M and joined the Corps of Cadets, leaving the school as a second lieutenant in 1960. He and his

wife Judy got married after school and he stayed on active duty for eight years. Wisdom commanded a tank company in Germany, spent a year in Vietnam and held staff positions at a few different army bases. Through all his service, Wisdom said, he learned a lot about following a plan, following an operations order, and about self-discipline. The only way it didn’t prepare him for the business world was not having any financial training. However, his time with 3M would provide him with that financial training which has served him well as he has built a thriving business in San Antonio.

Back to Texas Once he had held a variety of positions in 3M, he and Judy decided they wanted to exit the corporate culture and get back to their beloved Texas. So, they decided to look for a franchising opportunity and Money Mailer kept popping up. So, in 1991, the couple bought a regional franchise with a territory that stretched from Waco to the Rio Grande Valley and included Austin and San Antonio.

As regional operators in a three-tier system their responsibilities included looking after all franchisees within this large geography. In 2004, Money Mailer changed their structure and became a traditional two-tier system, buying back regional licenses and resulting in a very profitable outcome for the Wisdoms. They were now able to run a substantial operation in San Antonio from the comfort of their home with extremely low overheads. “It allows us to run lean and mean and still be highly effective” Wisdom explained. For Wisdom and his wife, purchasing their Money Mailer franchise back in 1991 was probably the best decision they could have made. And, thanks in large part to the discipline from his military career, invaluable assistance from his wife Judy and the training, support and systems provided by Money Mailer they have built a highly lucrative marketing consulting business in San Antonio. For more information visit: www.franchise.moneymailer.com

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Tu tor Doctor

Tutor Doctor to Assist Veterans Tutor Doctor Franchisees Partner with Veterans Administration to Assist Transitioning Veterans Through a great collaborative effort of Tutor Doctor’s Operations Team and Bob Rosedale, a U.S. veteran and a Tutor Doctor franchisee based in Idaho, Tutor Doctor won the bid and secured a $3.25 million contract with the U.S. Veterans Administration.

Tutor Doctor. Bob Rosedale will lead the regional Tutor Doctor team to ensure our veterans are receiving professional and high quality training.

The five-year contract will provide vocational training and transition services to military veteran men and women pursuing non-military careers.

Tutor Doctor offers help in any subject to students of all ages including adults going back to school. Rosedale has a roster of more than 100 tutors, including active and retired school principals, teachers, engineers, business professionals, veterans and professionals with experience working with special-needs students.

Tutor Doctor, the Number One at-home tutoring franchise in the world, was the only franchise company capable of providing services across all of the nine states in the western region, ranging from Colorado to Hawaii, which the VA was looking for. Tutor Doctor’s 22 local offices across the region and its ability to recruit, train and retain the best tutors and trainers with specialized skills were the primary factors in the VA’s decision to work with

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Rosedale’s franchise success in Idaho and his enthusiasm and support of Tutor Doctor’s principles and values combined with his entrepreneurial spirit were instrumental in securing this contract. He applies the same commitment and dedication to his Tutor Doctor business as he did to his country during his 26-year military career. He retired as a U.S. Air Force squadron commander in the late 2000.

Rosedale’s business has provided over 10,000 tutoring sessions to over 500 families since opening in 2011. About 100 new families have signed up this year, giving Rosedale’s Tutor Doctor the greatest year-over-year first quarter growth rate among Tutor Doctor franchises in the western U.S.

Bob Rosedale

“We are in a fortunate position to be helping our transitioning veterans,” says Rosedale. “I personally went through a transition over ten years ago and am thankful to now have the opportunity to help others.” Today, there are a few areas included in the contract with VA where a Tutor Doctor franchisee is required including: • Honolulu, HI • Salt Lake City, UT • Fort Harrison, MT There are also a few remaining territories in the western U.S. region which could benefit from the contract! If you or someone you know is a community leader with strong people skills looking to start their own business in these areas, get in touch with Tutor Doctor immediately! For more information visit: www.veteransbusinessservices.us/ product-item/tutor-doctor

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IFA Members: Register before October 24 and save $50! Contact Lynette James at 202-662-0782 or ljames@franchise.org if you are interested in exhibitingFranchising or sponsoring. USA

V e t er a ns i n Fr a nch isi ng

Jim Mingey, Veterans Business Services

Will crowdfunding Help Make Acquisition of Franchise Opportunities Easier for Veterans?

One would think that a non-profit crowdfunding platform for honorably discharged service disabled veterans who want to start small businesses is particularly well suited for a number of reasons. First is the fact that being a veteran is the Number One indicator of successful business ownership. One out of every ten businesses is owned and operated by a veteran. Secondly, many disabled veterans have issues that allow them to tap into caring support networks. So what is crowdfunding and could it help fund a veteran franchise acquisition?

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Crowdfunding is the process of raising public money to fund a private campaign. It allows you to tap into your social network and receive contributions from all of your â&#x20AC;&#x153;friendsâ&#x20AC;? to develop an idea or event. The majority of crowdfunding money raised today is on rewards-based platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo websites. With these sites, supporters of a project typically get some kind of incentive, from a coffee mug to a listing on a marquee, in return for their contribution. In addition to rewards-based systems, the equity crowdfunding market now allows investors to receive a share of the company in exchange for funds. While Kickstarter and Indiegogo are generalist platforms for raising money, niche sites are springing up that may serve to help drive equity to veteran small business and complement new peer to peer lending platforms for veterans like Street

Shares. The crowdfunding market is going to be full of specialized players that serve particular market segments very well. So why not veterans in franchising deals and what are the problems? One problem is that the crowdfunding platforms mentioned need campaigns that are relatively expensive to organize and promote. Another is that the success rate of their veteran campaigns to date is poor and only raises amounts that are typically below $5,000. With millions of crowdfunding opportunities out there, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult for people to choose what to support or invest in. However as crowdfunding becomes more mainstream, some expect to see crowdfunding funds start that aggregate multiple causes or investment opportunities. This could be a great new risk capital pool for veterans in franchising. This could be particularly true as equity-based crowdfunding success

“Crowdfunding is the process of raising public money to fund a private campaign.”

Jim Mingey

stories spread and the public wants in on the action. Franchising provides a relatively stable business analysis platform for investors and consistent regulatory information requirements. While it will be exciting to watch crowdfunding evolve into new areas like franchising, it’s important to note that each crowdfunding site must ensure that the money is distributed efficiently and that contributors get what they bargained for (the initial incidents of fraud have been low, less than .1 of 1 percent on Kickstarter). It will be easy to find veteran franchise deals that need money and tough to find deals that will work out for investors. For now SEC accredited investor rules still apply for due diligence requirements to over 1000 crowdfunding platforms worldwide.

One very interesting facet of crowdfunding that has emerged is that communities are expected to use the crowdfunding vehicle for public/private partnerships. Envisioning community economic development actors partnering with veterans on franchising projects is a refreshing thought. Even if veterans have to bring their own “crowds” I believe at least a few franchise deals will probably get done with crowdfunding. Happy Veterans Day! VBS’ Founder and Managing Director, Jim Mingey, is a decorated Vietnam Veteran raised from a proud military background. An entrepreneur for more than 35 years, Jim can relate on a personal level to the needs of the Veteran small businessperson, and

possesses the practical knowledge to implement his experience in today’s market. Jim participated in the EBV Program at Purdue University, is a mentor at American Corporate Partners, developed the first approved franchise training program for the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment(VR&E) Program at Veterans Administration, and was instrumental in forming the first equity fund in the United States exclusively for Veteran owned small businesses and franchises: The Veterans Opportunity Fund. Jim intends to keep on ‘advocating’ for Veterans in franchising. For further information visit: www.veteransbusinessservices.us

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G a meTr uck

Game Over? Not for this Marine Corps Vet!

Joshua Brasure is a Marine Corps Veteran, a stay-at-home dad and an accomplished business owner who has found success in joining GameTruck as a franchisee. Franchising USA

GameTruck is a mobile video game theater company that brings people together to enjoy gaming in an interactive multiplayer environment. The video game parties feature all the latest consoles including Xbox 360,PS3 and Wii and can accommodate a minimum of sixteen players. In addition to video games, they also offer laser tag parties that take place outside of the theater and are complete with specialty missions, challenges and obstacles.

During Mr. Brasure’s eight years with the Marine Corps he’s been deployed three times, twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. During one of the deployments he unfortunately was forced to watch his first daughter being born on a web cam. Having missed out on such a miracle, Joshua knew he wouldn’t miss another special moment like that in his family’s life, and needed to find a career that provided him with the flexibility to do just that.

“I thought that was very interesting, so I did a lot of research and found out the company is very veteran friendly. I started talking to them and I was hooked from the beginning,” said Joshua. The veteran started the franchising process in October 2013 and bought his franchise in April 2014. In fact, he decided to begin the process before he had completed his time with the military. “It was an extremely hard transition. The hardest part was that the military takes very good care of you, in all aspects, with your money, housing, food, medical and a lot of people don’t realize that when you get out you’re on your own and you suddenly have to take care of all those things. Especially for me, since I have a family; I had to make sure they were taken care of,” said Mr. Brasure.

“I’ve done a lot of deployments, and unfortunately missed out on many events in my kids’ lives. I knew it was time to be home with my kids and my wife. We have been together for almost nine years, and my wife had to take care of the kids when I was away for as many as seven or eight months at a time. I missed my first child being born, I missed birthdays, I missed lots of things. We talked about it and as much as I loved the Marine Corps very much, I wanted to do something that I loved just as much, but could be with my family at the same time,” recalled Joshua. The Veteran learned about GameTruck while he was working as a land surveyor in Charlotte, North Carolina and was surprised with the fact that GameTruck parties were booked three months in advance. Hearing about GameTruck’s

Thankfully for Joshua, GameTruck’s training process involves step-by-step phases with education to help candidates get to the next level. The company considers everyone a member of their team and their success rate is linked to consistent support, growth and overall strength in the brand. Franchisee training helps operators run their business from start to finish including incoming customer phone calls to hosting parties and maintaining their rig. Joshua said that every single time he reaches out to the corporate offices for support he gets the answers he needs. “The training was amazing. They gave me everything I needed and they were nothing but helpful. I am a very outgoing person, even if I have one question I will call someone and there is always someone there. I created a great working relationship with the corporate offices and that continues today. They made it as simple as possible even though it is not an easy process,” explained the franchisee.

is now out of the Marine Corps and no longer finds himself being sent away, and thankfully he now has the ability to work from home and be more available to his family whenever he’s needed. Now that Joshua works from home, he is able to pick his kids up from school and never misses a birthday party, a school concert or a sporting event. He can commit to his family and work his business around their needs. “The work-life balance is almost unreal. It is like a dream in comparison,” he said. “When my kids come home from school, I am there waiting for them.” Joshua Brasure wants veterans to know that their potential does not peak with the military. “After leaving the military, veterans may think they have to get a regular job just to pay the bills. I want them to know that we have a lot out there for us and that they need to take that leap. I was scared to death but looking back I am glad that I did it, because there are so many great things that have happened for me since then. I am just a regular guy but there are a lot of great things out there that we are entitled to and we don’t have to settle. I hope people look at their options and think to themselves ‘hey, maybe I can do this too.’” For more information visit: www.gametruckparty.com

Joshua Brasure

popularity and its veteran discount offering for Vets prompted Mr. Brasure to research the company and how to become a franchisee.

Joshua has found a very big difference in his work-life balance since he became a GameTruck franchisee. Of course he

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Vetera n N ews

vetfran: A Growing Network of Franchise Companies Dedicated to Providing Opportunities for Veterans and Military Spouses For Veterans and their spouses interested in small business ownership, consider that successful franchisees are fundamentally different than entrepreneurs. While entrepreneurs are essential to the American economy, franchising provides an alterative for creating jobs and being the master of your own destiny. Many people with a military background gravitate towards well-organized systems, such as the franchise business model. The franchise industry has certainly responded by helping veterans enter the franchise industry with fewer barriers. VetFran is a network of the International Franchise Association member companies that offer financial discounts, training, mentorship and other incentives for veterans and military spouses. This is

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a network of nearly 650 participating companies offering discounts on franchise fees, reduced royalties, credits for marketing, and other materials needed during startup. VetFran recently revamped itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website to make it easier to engage with member companies and find the resources to get you started. The VetFran Toolkit is an educational portal designed to teach you about the franchise industry, and supply resources to help veterans succeed in their business goals. No matter what stage of the process you are, the Toolkit can help further your education in the industry. There are eight primary resources to help guide you through the process of franchising and increase your chances for success.

1. Franchisee Personality Type Profile This is an easy to use assessment tool that helps veterans determine their potential for success as a franchisee and identify and explore the types of opportunities at

which they may have the greatest chance for success.

2. An Introduction to Franchising This will help a prospective franchisee understand the very basics of franchising with questions such as: What is a franchise? What are common franchise terms? What are the alternatives to franchising and the advantages and disadvantages of owning one? And what are the legal issues in franchising?

3. IFA Franchise University The IFA Franchise University is part of the Certified Franchise Executive program. There are free courses available on the basics of franchising. There is also the option to take the entire course and become certified, which will give you a comprehensive understanding of franchising.

4. Making the Franchise Decision This workbook is a tool to evaluate franchise opportunities. Once you

understand the basics of franchising and some of the mechanics, the next stage may be the evaluation stage. At this point you will want to start evaluating specific franchise companies to determine the best fit for you.

5. The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Guide to Buying a Franchise The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, has prepared this booklet to explain how to shop for a franchise opportunity, the obligations of a franchise owner, and questions to ask before you invest. This resource goes into much more detail about franchise laws and understanding Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD).

6. The VetFran Video Library The VetFran video library is designed to support veterans in understanding and assessing franchising through video-based discussion from experienced veteran franchisees and franchisors. The videos cover the fundamentals of franchising, legal issues, franchise finance, and more. Featuring veterans in the franchise industry, these seminars offer best-inclass education from the perspective of industry leaders and Board Members of the International Franchise Association.

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“The VetFran Toolkit is an educational portal designed to teach you about the franchise industry.” 7. Financial and Other Small Business Resources for Veterans The financial resources section of the Toolkit provides financial and small business resources that include state, local, federal, and public funding sources, verification process for Veteran-Owned Small Business from the SBA and VA, and other general resources for veteran entrepreneurs.

8. The VetFran Directory The VetFran Directory is a list over 650 plus VetFran member companies and their discounts for veterans and military spouses. You can search by industry or investment and view each company’s VetFran program in their profile.

VetFran Mentorship Network Once all the material in the Toolkit has been reviewed, VetFran is able to match interested veterans and spouses with a

mentor closest to their location of interest. Experienced franchise executives and franchisees have the opportunity to apply and become a VetFran Mentor. A VetFran Mentor assists transitioning veterans with an understanding of the options available to them in the franchise sector. Such options may include franchise ownership, employment, internship or other roles to build a career after their military service. Mentors must be available to listen to what the veteran is saying, inform by sharing information on franchising, help him or her understand and navigate various aspects of their journey, and in general, be a resource of unbiased and worthwhile information to help the veteran make the best decision for them and their future. All mentors have to satisfy a set of requirements and be vetted by the Chairman of the Mentorship Network to ensure the veteran’s best interest is in mind. For more information visit: www.vetfran.com

10/2/14 11:59 AM

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