JdOG

veteRan-owned buSineSS

cReateS eMployMent oppoRtunitieS foR veteRanS and faMily MeMbeRS

JDog® Junk Removal & Hauling and JDog® Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care franchise systems empower Veterans and their families to enter business ownership, combating high Veteran unemployment rates.

Every year, nearly 200,000 Veterans struggle to find a job after military service, with just 25% of servicemembers having a job lined up in preparation for their exit, according to the Pew Research Center.

The transition from military service to civilian life is notoriously difficult as Veterans adjust to new ways of life and consider educational and career opportunities once their service is complete. As hordes of servicemembers approach this transition without job security or knowledge of how skills developed during their military service may translate to civilian jobs, hundreds of thousands of Veterans find themselves separated from the military with no employment prospects.

JDog Brands, the franchisor behind JDog® Junk Removal & Hauling and JDog® Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care, was founded by Army Veteran Jerry Flanagan

“Most jobs don’t look anything like the military structure that Veterans are accustomed to, but franchising, when done correctly, can fit like a glove.”

and his wife, Tracy Flanagan. After the couple filed bankruptcy during the 2008 recession and knowing how hard transition into civilian life can be, they entered the franchising world with JDog Brands. By doing this, Jerry and Tracy provided business ownership opportunities exclusi

“Most jobs don’t look anything like the military structure that Veterans are accustomed to, but franchising, when done correctly, can fit like a glove,” Jerry explained. “Veterans like to follow a process. They take their training seriously, and they’ve got the grit and experience to overcome challenges. We’ve built our franchise opportunities to make the most of those qualities and help our franchisees find success quickly.”

The franchise not only provides Veterans a proven business model with low startup costs and a well-established reputation, but its larger network of franchisees mimics the camaraderie found in the military. From corporate leadership to individual franchisees, everyone within the JDog network is prepared to support one another, setting Veterans up for both financial success and a strong, understanding network of like-minded individuals.

According to the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, there are five major challenges that new Veterans face. 60% struggle to navigate VA programs, benefits and services, 55% have trouble finding a job, 41% find adjusting to civilian culture difficult, 40% are left to address financial challenges, and 39% are unsure how to apply their military-learned skills to civilian life. At times, it can be easy to address these problems individually, but finding support and understanding from those who understand how these challenges intertwine is less common.

Being surrounded by a group of people who are not only committed to supporting business success but also understand the more personal challenges of the transition allows Veterans to find a safe, relatable community with the JDog team.

“The franchise not only provides Veterans a proven business model with low startup costs and a wellestablished reputation, but its larger network of franchisees mimics the camaraderie found in the military.”

“If you’re a Veteran and love the comradery that comes with being in the military, I have to tell you that’s the best thing about being part of a franchise. I have that back now with being part of a franchise,” explained Jim Schirtzinger, a JDog franchisee in Central Ohio. “With JDog, we have a network of more than 200 Veterans, and we get to talk and share in order to help each other out. It’s an amazing network of people doing great things in our communities, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”