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Veterans in Franchising october 2021
www.franchisingusamagazine.com
OpenWorks
Offers Veterans a Blueprint for Success latest in
veteran news
Why Veterans Find the Transition to Franchise Owner Easy Franchising USA
Leadership. Teamwork. Executing SOPs. Connecting veterans with education, resources and opportunities at vetfran.org
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V e t e r a n s i n F r a n c h i s i n g S u ppl e m e n t october 2021 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 On the Cover
Franchisee In Action
50 Openworks Offers Veterans a Blueprint for Success
54 How we Swapped a Life in the Military for a Fun, Family-Run Business
48 Latest in Veteran News
Expert Advice
52 Why Veterans Find the Transition to Franchise Owner Easy
Veterans News 48 Tropical Smoothie Café 49 Perspire Sauna Studio Lime Painting
Joe Birkhead | Frios Gourmet Pops
52 Why Veterans Find the Transition to Franchise Owner Easy Pat Durkee | Chief Operating Officer Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services
Q&A 56 Q&A with Trae Caldwell Metal Supermarkets Franchisee
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veteran news
Fast-growing Tropical Smoothie Café Reaches 1000 Locations! Tropical Smoothie Cafe joins the exclusive club of restaurant brands with a four-digit location count this week with the grand opening of its newest — and 1,000th systemwide — cafe in Flower Mound, Texas. The milestone comes at a time when the company is experiencing record growth and is on pace to open 130 new franchised locations in 2021. So far this year, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has signed agreements for an additional 249 future franchised locations, adding to an already extensive pipeline of future commitments. These agreements position the brand nicely in its progress toward its goal of 1,500 cafes by the end of 2024. “I like to say we’re the biggest brand you’ve never heard of,” said Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe LLC. “We’ve been quietly crushing sales and growth records, thanks to our
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incredible franchisees who have a passion for this brand and want to open more locations across our target markets.”
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is designed for growth, and its
franchisees benefit from an award-winning franchise offering
and a business model with multiple dayparts built into the mix.
A key differentiator from other smoothie concepts is the brand’s
extensive food menu that includes made-to-order wraps, flatbreads, sandwiches, bowls and quesadillas, plus sales-driving LTOs such
as the hearty, healthy Green Goddess Flatbread that comes with a choice of chicken, shrimp or plant-based proteins.
To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit: www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com
Perspire Sauna Studio Heats Up with 50 Signed Franchise Agreements Perspire Sauna Studio, the nation’s fastest-growing infrared sauna studio franchise, announced that it has signed over 50 franchise agreements. Perspire, which elevates the mind and body wellness of its guests through first-of-its-kind infrared lighting systems, currently has 19 studios open nationwide. The recently signed franchise agreements will bring Perspire to several new markets including San Diego, Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, Des Moines, Colorado Springs and Sarasota, FL, with three locations planned in San Diego, CA, three locations planned in Scottsdale, Arizona, four locations planned in the Chicagoland area, and four locations planned in Southern Colorado. New locations are also planned in Santa Monica; Brentwood, California; McDonough, Georgia. Several new franchisees behind these deals have diverse backgrounds in wellness, franchising, media communications & consulting, and entrepreneurship. “This is a landmark for us as we reach another significant milestone,” said Lee Braun, CEO of Perspire Sauna Studio. “Seeing our footprint expand into several new states and prominent markets is surreal and proof that people are prioritizing their
health and wellness now more than ever. We’re thrilled to have such a talented marketing professional like Lex join the Perspire team to continue riding that wave.” With its simple, yet effective business model that includes low costs, minimal labor and pandemic proof services, Perspire is actively seeking new franchisees in the following states: California, Florida, Texas, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Although no special licensing, skills or training is required, ideal candidates have professional leadership or managerial experience with a passion for health and wellness. To learn more about franchising opportunities, visit: www.franchise.perspiresaunastudio.com
LIME Painting Looks to Make Their Mark in the Music City At the age of 19, Nick Lopez founded his first painting LLC to help pay for his college tuition and textbooks. Lopez soon discovered that the company he started out of necessity turned into a true passion for home improvement.
LIME Painting – the first and only high-end painting franchise company – has announced plans to expand to
“I love what I do because LIME provides unique opportunities for the families who are part of the LIME team,” said Nick Lopez, founder of LIME Painting. “We deliver a quality service in an industry that doesn’t always fit that type, and we’re excited to be able to bring that quality to the Nashville area.”
expanded from seven to an impressive 45 franchise locations
To continue improving high-end residential and commercial properties around Nashville, LIME Painting is actively seeking multi-unit operators who are team builders and will go above and beyond to exceed the needs of customers. Benefits intense support to build a qualified team, marketing assistance such as templated emails and social media posts, and access to LIME Elite Academy, the brand’s training program that allows franchisees to level up within the business. LIME Painting’s initial franchise fee is $60,000 and the total investment ranges from $124,700-$162,375.
growth.
To learn more about franchising opportunities, visit: www. limepaintingfranchise.com
Nashville, TN. The brand’s expertise in painting and other restoration services is essential to maintaining luxury residential and commercial
properties and they aim to fulfill that need. The brand now has its sights set on Nashville, introducing four new territories for
franchising opportunities. Since becoming Denver’s most trusted and highly recommended painting company, LIME Painting has
across 14 states. It now is targeting Nashville to continue its rapid
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cover story: OpenWorks
Facilities Management Franchise Offers Veterans a Blueprint for Success
With veterans in mind, OpenWorks tailors franchise opportunities for former military skillsets. After a career that has been established on the foundation of organization, structure, time management and teamwork, transitioning into the civilian workforce can be a challenge for many active-duty military members looking at life after serving. Finding a civilian job is one of the most significant obstacles veterans face when they leave the military. Around 77 per cent of veterans have struggled through
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unemployment and more than a quarter of them end up job-searching for more than a year, according to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Understanding the role hard work and discipline play in having a successful career, Jamoll LeDay, a veteran whose father served for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force and the proud dad of a son who recently enlisted, looked to take the skills he learned during his own career in the U.S. Army into the civilian world. With the same rigor and proficiency that he delivered in a military kitchen, he entered the world of food service and quickly rose through the ranks earning his stripes as an executive chef in some of Texas’ busiest kitchens.
Feeling there had to be a bigger way he could contribute to make life work better for others, a sentiment held by most veterans, LeDay started a janitorial cleaning business. Although he had built a roster of small commercial clients, he saw an opportunity to go bigger and threw himself into finding a partner that would support the entrepreneurial fire that motivated him; one that would help him to grow while providing essential front-office resources to keep him focused on bringing his “A” game to work every day. That partner was OpenWorks. “OpenWorks has been my blueprint for success, giving me the freedom of not having to do everything myself,” said LeDay. “As an entrepreneur, I can focus
Jamoll LeDay with his family
management via Openwork’s specially developed education network, veteran
entrepreneurs can deploy their cleaning
troops into the field, while manning overall business operations and management from their home office.
“OpenWorks gives you a playbook,”
said LeDay. “Before OpenWorks, I was
playing backyard football. Now, I’m a pro quarterback because I have a playbook and know how to execute a plan. They
understand the tools we need and how to
marry them with the experience we have.
That’s a winning combination and a critical component to our success.”
An OpenWorks franchise costs as little as
on running my business, training my staff and working with my customers, while OpenWorks serves as my business development and marketing partner, bringing me customers ready to onboard.” Since 1983, OpenWorks, a national facility management and commercial cleaning provider that earned a coveted spot on Inc. magazine’s 5000 list and annually ranks as one of the fastest-growing private companies nationwide, has been helping driven entrepreneurs break into the now $61+ billion a year commercial cleaning and facilities management industry. The company continues to experience a sharp increase in demand for its facilities management services, serving thousands of commercial businesses and schools
nationwide with a network of more than 1,700 elite service providers across the country who have proudly helped earn an industry-leading 99 per cent customer retention rate.
$9,000 down with no start-up equipment
With several former military franchise owners across the country, OpenWorks has put the tools and resources in place to help veterans take the skills they’ve learned while serving – leadership, discipline, hard work, commitment to doing a job well and so much more – to launch a successful entrepreneurial venture. Serving over 5,500 facilities nationwide, the franchise operator is on track to add more than 100 new franchises this year in some of the fastestgrowing markets in the nation.
robust training and guidance on how to
“The military equips veterans with such a wide range of skills that are perfect for franchise-based entrepreneurial ventures such as commercial facilities management,” said Victoria Murray, Sr. VP-Sales & Strategic Relationships at OpenWorks. “With this in mind, OpenWorks operates as a trusted partner who can provide these entrepreneurs with the resources they need, including sourcing new accounts, providing training and back-end support, and offering an array of business-support tools, to successfully servicing and growing their own business.” With unlimited growth potential, franchise owners such as LeDay have seen their businesses grow exponentially. Hiring teams of workers who are trained with the military precision in cleaning and facilities
costs. Through its military program,
veterans and active-duty service members receive a 10 per cent discount on the
entire franchise cost, while receiving
run and operate a successful facilities management business. This includes
providing business back-office support in billing, financing, customer service and
sales support, allowing the franchise owner to concentrate on providing customers with top-notch service.
Recession-resilient and in-demand,
the commercial cleaning and facilities management sector has grown
tremendously over the past three decades. And as business owners and facilities
managers realize that outsourcing these
services makes more financial sense than
managing in-house staff, the demand will only continue to grow.
“The scariest part about transitioning into civilian life is understanding whether
your parachute will open once you jump,” said LeDay. “OpenWorks has been my parachute.”
For more information about OpenWorks and learning whether a post-military career as a facilities management entrepreneur is right for you, please visit https://openworksweb. com/own-a-franchise/
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EXPERT ADVICE: Pat Durkee | Chief Operating Officer | Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services
Why Veterans Find the Transition to Franchise Owner Easy If you want to elevate your franchise, welcome new franchisees who are veterans. Veterans own approximately 2.5 million, or 9%, of all businesses in the U.S. and one out of eight franchises, according to the Small Business Association. Veterans make great franchise business owners because the same character traits that made them successful in the military – discipline, organization, leadership and being self-motivators – are likely to help them succeed in business. Here are a few of many reasons that veterans find transitioning to franchise ownership so appealing:
First, they like systems, processes and training Veterans are trained to follow systems and processes, and franchisors communicate exactly how things should be done to encourage a consistent consumer experience among franchise locations. Successful franchisors ensure that when you order a product or service from one franchise location, it’s exactly the same as the product or service you would get at another location hundreds of miles away. Veterans understand the importance of following procedures to the letter. Additionally, veterans are well-trained in many different areas, and so they may already have skills useful to your particular franchise, e.g., food preparation or technical/mechanical training.
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They enjoy a sense of comradery and belonging We often hear franchisees say they joined a franchise to feel like they are part of something larger than themselves, much as veterans describe being part of a military unit. The best franchisors cultivate an atmosphere where franchise owners work together to help each other succeed. When individual locations grow, the whole brand grows.
“The best franchisors cultivate an atmosphere where franchise owners work together to help each other succeed.”
They march in lock step Veterans might just be the most compliant franchisees you will ever have. They are accustomed to following guidelines and “toeing the line,” and they understand the problems that can arise with going rogue when you are part of a larger organization. They will be franchisees you can count on to do things exactly the way you ask them to be done.
And finally, they want to share in your mission A franchise’s mission and core values mirror that of the founder. The best franchisors seek franchisees who buy into the organization’s mission and core values. After they transition from the military to civilian life, many veterans still desire that sense of being “on a mission” with their colleagues. So, they seek out organizations with a clearly stated mission and vision, and they will work extremely hard to carry it out. To recruit more veterans for your franchise,
check out the International Franchise Association Foundation’s VetFranâ program, which was established after the first Gulf War to build a network of brands that encourage veterans to explore opportunities within franchise systems. Pat Durkee is chief operating officer of Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services and a U.S. Navy veteran. Office Pride is a five-star participant in the IFA’s VetFran program and is ranked among the “Top Franchises for Veterans” by both Entrepreneur and Franchise Business Review. https://officepride.com/
Pat Durkee
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FRANCHISEE IN ACTION: Joe Birkhead | Frios Gourmet Pops
How we swapped a life in the military
for a fun, family-run business “Frios Gourmet Pops works with our family for numerous reasons, but there was one driving factor: It has allowed us to fill that value of family.”
People often ask me how I ended up as a franchisee at Frios Gourmet Pops. The answer in short: It’s given me the opportunity I’ve long been seeking: Time with my family. Franchising USA
What led me to the brand is a longer story, 20 years in the making. September 11, 2001. I was serving in the Army, on my third deployment to Kosovo, when we were attending the nightly Battle Update Brief (BUB). We watched as a plane crashed into one of the towers. Our lives changed withing a matter of seconds. We were thousands of miles from our country and our families, unable to comfort or protect those we loved. When we returned later that year in November, we went directly to Uzbekistan with no turning back. I knew then I needed to be in the fight, so I applied for the most elite unit in the United States Army. After getting selected I completed eight more deployments between Iraq and Afghanistan. My wife and I have been together for 20 years, a great accomplishment in itself. We had fulfilled our duty in serving our country side-by-side for 16 years until we both eventually retired. Our family grew
in that time as we welcomed our daughter and our son. Deployments proved to be difficult, leaving us to uproot our family to the next city followed by the next city. Naturally we worried about our kids, wanting them to find a sense of community. Our 14-year-old daughter has moved five times, having to leave her friends and classmates behind. Our seven-year-old son has moved three times, but has fortunately been young enough to forget the hardships. After my wife and I retired, we wanted to prioritize our family, not only finding a place for us to settle, but a place for us to be together. In addition, we wanted to be a part of our community, something that was instilled in us during our time in the military. It was then that we found Frios Gourmet Pops. At first, we thought the brand seemed to be too simple of a concept. Could a mobile popsicle brand really be the answer? We were pleasantly surprised by the answer.
“The brand was one of the few to embody a core value of family, not only saying it, but showing it. ” Frios Gourmet Pops works with our family for numerous reasons, but there was one driving factor: It has allowed us to fill that value of family. When my wife and I retired from the military, we wanted to transition into a career that wouldn’t consume our lives, taking away important time from our children. In the past we had missed big moments due to moving and deployment. I don’t want to miss another birthday, another first day of school, another pivotal moment in their lives. But its not only the big moments, we wanted to be there for the little ones too. The niche memories that our kids will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Insert Frios Gourmet Pops. The brand was one of the few to embody a core value of family, not only saying it, but showing it. This point was made evident after speaking with a Frios’ CEO Cliff Kennedy, who discussed how this brand has allotted him time with his own family,
and how he has made that priority amongst his franchisees. With Frios, we have a business that our kids can be involved in. Arguably more impressive, they’re excited to be involved. I’ve never seen or heard of a company that entices the entire family to get involved. Our kids will come along with us in the van, “slinging pops” to friends, neighbors, and more. It has been such an enjoyable experience not only to spend more time with our kids, but to see them flourish. Frios has uniquely brought out professional skills in our children at a young age. Its incredible to see them hone their interpersonal skills, whether they are explaining a product or completing a transaction. I feel confident that with the help of Frios, our kids will have no problem making a name for themselves. In a sense, this has taught
them how to be business owners, allowing them to understand the many aspects of a business. Not only do they help with our operations, they assist with our marketing as well, becoming arguably one of our best resources. They’ll bring in customers routinely just by talking about their favorite flavors at school. So, when people ask me how I ended up at Frios Gourmet Pops, I tell them that it as a brand that cherishes one of the most sacred things in life: Family. I’m thankful the memories the four of us have collectively made together with the help of Frios. I’m thankful the personal and professional development that Frios has allowed my children. I’m thankful to be a part of Frios. For more information visit: https://friospops.com/
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Q& A: Trae Caldwell | Metal Supermarkets
Q&A with
Trae Caldwell
Metal Supermarkets Franchisee Trae, please tell us about your military background I enlisted in the National Guard in September 1999 and joined the First Battalion 160th Field Artillery and spent twelve years with that unit. I attained the rank of Staff Sergeant before I was accepted into the Warrant Officer program, which I completed in September of 2014. During my career, we had one tour operation in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and after 9/11, our unit completed Operation Noble Eagle to shore up the defense for homeland security at Pine Bluff Arsenal in Jefferson County, Arkansas. After twelve years with my unit, I transitioned to a civilian career while I maintained my role as a National Guardsman. I recently retired in September 2020 as an Army Warrant Officer in the National Guard.
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What was your working background? After spending several years working full-time out of the National Guard headquarters, I transitioned to a civilian career while maintaining a part-time position with the National Guard. As a civilian, I completed MBA and held positions in the operations, commercial and finance sectors. In addition to the sectors above, I also was in project management and business development, specifically, focused on asset optimization. Working for Williams Natural Gas, the organization that handles 30 per cent of all national gas in the United States, I was the lead analyst for two significant transactions totaling more than $2 billion across both. The combination of my civilian and military careers provided me the opportunity to learn leadership and business acumen skills that have a
direct correlation to operating a franchise business.
What was the turning point that made you realize you wanted to change your career path? I have always wanted to own my own business and the franchise model made the most sense to me from the perspective of branding and name recognition.
Why did you choose Metal Supermarkets? I evaluated several franchise opportunities before I chose to move forward with Metal Supermarkets. There were a few things that played into the decision. First and foremost, I had to evaluate what I could see myself doing for the rest of my working years. Metal Supermarkets was always in my top choices. And, once I met the management team, it was clear that they were a top
“It was clear that Metal Supermarkets offered the most complete franchise system that focused on franchisee success. ” a business plan. Aim to connect with someone who can help you forecast a business development plan. While this plan will undoubtedly change and update, it’s important to have a goal for the future. Additionally, potential franchisees should ask as many questions as possible, no matter how silly they sound. Take your time and don’t try to rush through the steps. Make sure to practice professional skepticism, by this I mean actually think through the different aspects of the business. I recommend taking a step back and thinking to yourself, “Does this make sense? Is what they’re saying make logical sense?” Oftentimes, people will get caught up in the deal or the flashy information. But you should go through your own mental checklist.
Any particular insight that you would like to share with other veterans?
contender. So, in doing my due diligence, I reached out to other franchisees. Their amazing feedback brought the whole
concept full circle and came out on top as the brand that I wanted to be associated
with. It was clear that Metal Supermarkets
offered the most complete franchise system that focused on franchisee success.
If someone was interested in joining your franchise system, what would you say to them?
My biggest advice is to listen and absorb as much information as you can in the beginning. I highly recommend that you do your own due diligence. If you have people in your network who have been in the franchising industry, tap them for their experiences and learn more about franchising. Additionally, get a feel for what people say about franchising in general as well as for the brand(s) that you are considering. If business acumen isn’t your forte, you should connect with someone who can help you develop
For those in the military, the process I mentioned above might sound familiar. It stems back to the MDMP or the Military Decision-Making Process. Anyone who has been in the army or military has gone through MDMP training. This process is a critical piece of reviewing and evaluating a decision. With each of the seven steps, receipt of mission, mission analysis, course of action development, course of action analysis, course of action comparison, course of action approval and orders production, dissemination and transition, military professionals are trained to assess multiple levels of analysis and review. This is also an effective way of reviewing franchise opportunities. If you don’t have experience writing a business plan, you should aim to write one anyway. With a well-thought-out and organized business plan, you will be better prepared as a franchise owner. The business plan is a big piece of business ownership. www.metalsupermarkets.com
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Benefit from
Making an appearance every month in Franchising USA magazine. Each detailed, 4 color A-Z listing comes with a 150 word write up and your logo. Excellent for branding and recognition. Choose a 12 or 6 month package or simply add the A-Z directory onto your FOCUS, PROFILE or ad! To learn about the A-Z directory or any other products, please contact Vikki Bradbury: vikki@cgbpublishing.com
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