Veterans Supplement March 2015 Franchising USA 3#5

march 2015

Veterans in Franchising www.franchisingusamagazine.com

JDog Junk Removal

Respect - Integrity - Trust

The Veterans Choice

News From

VetFran Things To Consider Before Entering

a Business Partnership

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V eterans in F ranchisin g S u pplement march 2 0 1 5 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

News & Expert Advice

42 Jdog Junk Removal

44 Things to Consider Before Entering a

Business Partnership Salim E. Awad Esq

Respect – Integrity – Trust

Profiles

48 News From VetFran.

46 HandyMan Matters 47 101 Mobility 50 Erbert & Gerberts

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V e t er ans in Fr anch ising

C over S tor y - J Dog Junk R em oval

jdog junk removal

respect - integrity - trust the veterans choice JDog Junk Removal’s CEO and Founder has started more than just a franchise, he’s started a movement to help more United States military veterans start their own business when they leave the service.

“We’re the only franchise ever to open a franchise model exclusively sold to the military community,” CEO Jerry Flanagan proudly declared during a recent phone interview from his headquarters in Berwyn, PA. When given the choice, Flanagan said, he believes the average American consumer would choose a veteran-owned business and that was the impetus behind creating JDog Junk Removal.

In operation since March of 2011, it was meant to fill the space for vets who are leaving the service and aren’t sure where they should go after that. Often these former service people aren’t sure what they’ll do when they leave the service and Flanagan wanted to give them a relatively simple and cost effective option.

“We built the company to put military veteran families into small business ownership all throughout the country,” he said, “and we built it with the notion that we want them to hire veterans, too.”

Flanagan started franchising in 2012, but launched a national franchising campaign in Septemberof 2014. So far, he has 11 signed franchises with 12 more committed.

JDog’s main service is the removal of junk from either residential or commercial

“‘Respect. Integrity. Trust’ is the company motto and JDog wants people who can uphold that motto.”

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place over several phone calls to see if the business and the potential franchisee would be a good mutual fit for each other.

Support is provided via national marketing, a dedicated IT department, a director of operations who supports franchisees out in the field, an administrative arm that takes care of local marketing and branding and an investment group who is overseeing the growth of the company.

property that people aren’t sure what to do with. Things like old couches or hot tubs or any other item that a person isn’t sure how to dispose of are perfect for JDog to take away. From the place of pickup, they take the items to transfer stations to make sure they’re disposed of properly. If items are recyclable, they’ll take them to a recycling centre. If they’re donations, they go to a donation centre. They don’t go to dump sites.

To make sure the company stays true to its military inspired roots, the whole company has a military theme to it, wi th Hummers and trailers wrapped in camouflage.

Profitability Flanagan said he chose junk removal as a franchising model because the profitability is high and there is high demand for the service. During the recession of 2008 and 2009, junk removal did well as a business because other businesses were had to shut down and dispose of items. It was this survivability during slow economic times, plus the relatively low startup costs that made junk removal a sound franchising option.

Getting Started An army and National Guard veteran, Flanagan left the service and spent 20 years in sales, marketing and operations in the retail sector. However, after the aforementioned recession, retail was so bad that he decided to leave that and restart his career in a business that wasn’t as susceptible to an economic downturn.

Plus, he also wanted to work with and hire other veterans.

That led to the opening of the first JDog Junk Removal in his home town of Chesterbrook, PA and that’s when he realized that his idea really had legs, as he consistently saw the community rally around the idea that they could hire a veteran owned business for junk removal.

“The customers really felt comfortable that they could trust a person from the military to do the work,” he recalled.

Word of mouth spread fast and his sales climbed quickly. Instead of trying to build the business one place at a time, he decided to franchise instead to get veterans into the workforce faster.

Ideal Franchisee Aside from having to be a veteran, JDog is looking for people who want to work in the community, who have good people skills, are trustworthy and can bring integrity to the brand. “Respect. Integrity. Trust” is the company motto and JDog wants people who can uphold that motto.

Military families, particularly husband and wife teams work well, Flanagan noted, adding that his wife Tracy is his business partner.

Interested franchisees can visit the business’ website at jdogjunkremoval. com where it has a form they can fill out.

Once a potential franchisee’s information is reviewed and they are deemed a good candidate, the interview process will take

Franchisees also have at their disposal an advisory board that consists of retired military members who mentor veterans just setting up their own business for the first time. This board includes retired Marine Maj. Gen. Douglas O’Dell who lead clean-up efforts from the Hurricane Katrina disaster and Larry Liss, who is the highest decorated helicopter pilot in the history of the Vietnam War and an executive coach.

Training, meanwhile, is provided at JDog’s Philadelphia training center where franchisees have three full days of training covering all aspects of the business. JDog representatives then go out to the new franchisee’s location after six to eight weeks of getting all their equipment together and the JDog reps stay there for the grand opening and to make sure everything starts smoothly for the new franchisee. Currently, JDog has locations available across the country.

The company has received some good recognition since its inception, being named as one of the top 25 veteran-owned businesses of Philadelphia and Best Innovative Business by Mainline Media News.

And, if Flanagan’s plans pan out, JDog junk removal will be just the first in a line of brands that cater to giving franchise opportunities to military veteran families.

Flanagan envisions JDog Security, JDog Plumbing, JDog Electric and more, with the JDog brand becoming an umbrella company synonymous with military veteran-owned businesses.

Judging from the good start he has gotten off to, he is well on his way to realizing that dream. www.jdogjunkremoval.com

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Salim E. Awad, Esq.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE

ENTERING A BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

Going into business with a partner has significant advantages. It may help you make the most out of shared resources and complementary talents.

However, there are important considerations you should take into account before jumping into a partnership.

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Start by thinking about whether you really need partners. Being afraid to go into business alone, or lacking financing, skills or connections may be the wrong reasons for a partnership. You may be able to get someone to do something without giving away a share of your business. You could hire someone or find a mentor to bring capital, skills, or a network to the table.

If after careful analysis you have resolved that you must have partners, consider partners who compliment your personality and skills, but that also bring something different to the table and are passionate about growing the business

and succeeding. Consider the pros and cons of a partner relative to your business, industry and finances.

Get to know your partner first. It is important to look into the potential partner’s values, personal goals and financial situation. Working with a partner who does not share your business values and ethical standards may discredit your reputation with clients and other partners.

An examination into the potential partner’s personal goals and vision of the business will not always guarantee a complete alignment, but it will at least avoid fundamental discrepancies and unpleasant

“Get to know your partner first. It is important to look into the potential partner’s values, personal goals and financial situation.” attorney. Give a significant amount of unemotional thought to the following: 1. A written partnership agreement.

Partners should be willing to put an agreement to writing. A written agreement may not be a legal requirement in your state, but a wellcrafted partnership agreement may not only insulate you from personal liability issues, it will force you to think about how you and your partner, or partners, will achieve the implementation of your entrepreneurial vision. Partners should be able to resolve any issues that arise by referring to the agreement. In the absence of an agreement, discrepancies will be resolved by your state’s generic partnership law, which will undoubtedly not cover the intricacies of your business partnership. surprises. You may ask for references, look at their presence online, and even run a background check. Do this before entering an agreement.

Communicate with the potential partner before you make a decision. Your conversations with potential partners should be aimed at establishing two-way lines of communication and allow the parties to set forth their expectations. You could also benefit from working with the potential partner on a discrete project or for a couple of weeks before you make a final decision.

So you have made a decision about whether you would like a partner. You have also ensured that the potential partner is a good match for the partnership. Stop.

There are legal implications that you must consider before jumping into a partnership agreement. You must understand the different forms of legal partnerships, contemplate forms of taxation, decide how you will split profits, and think about how you would handle the situation in the event of a break-up. Thus, it is crucial to find the advice of an accountant and an

2. Determine the roles and responsibilities of each partner.

This is about managing duties and expectations. Although partners don’t need to commit the exact same amount of time on the business, it is crucial that there is consensus as to expected time obligations. You will avoid resentment that may emerge when partners begin distributing profits and comparing them to individual efforts and results.

This decision must avoid the emotion connected to a power structure.

Every partner needs to be clear on her role, duties and responsibilities.

Responsibility for day-to-day company direction must be based on what is best for the business enterprise.

3. Align the partnership towards profit. Profit will generally result when you create value for your customers.

However, commitment from potential partners to the business must be as strong as yours. It is fundamental to consider how you and your partner will be accountable for results. Think about how you will measure performance and outcomes.

Salim E. Awad, Esq.

4. Develop an exit strategy for each partner. Ironically, you should enter the partnership knowing that it will likely end someday. Thus, you should outline flexible steps for partners to exit the partnership when a need or circumstance arises.

5. Decide how you will handle partnership dissolution. Business partners will likely go on their separate ways at some point. You must prepare for that scenario by determining how partners will be compensated, resources divided, and clients served when the time comes. Emotions will undoubtedly run high if the partnership does not work out, so the best time to decide how to handle a break-up is before a partnership or operating agreement is signed.

There may certainly be a number of specific considerations that you should take into account according to your industry, business, and personal situation.

However, figuring out from the outset whether you need a partner and how the partnership will operate with regards to compensation, exit clauses, and roles and responsibilities, will give you a solid general framework for a successful partnership, and allow you to focus on your business.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute advertising, solicitation, or legal advice. The reader should not act or refrain from acting based upon the information contained on this Article. The author expressly disclaims all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken in reliance on any or all of the content of this article. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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H a nd y ma n M at ter s

Retired Army Sergeant Finds New Life as

Handyman Matters Franchisee Keith Orr served as a noncommissioned officer (NCO) for most of his 24 years of active duty service in the U.S. Army, rising through the ranks to sergeant first class.

“The military taught me the value of hard work, how to follow systems and the best ways to react to changing circumstances on the fly.”

NCOs are the military’s hands-on troop supervisors and task handlers. Orr performed those chores while serving in multiple positions through more than two decades, including combat deployments stretching from the brief 1991 Gulf War and Kosovo to a couple of harrowing years in Iraq.

As he served in these positions, he was also unknowingly learning the principles that would be key to his career after he left the military.

“The military taught me the value of hard work, how to follow systems and the best ways to react to changing circumstances on the fly,” Orr said. “All of these skills would become essential in preparing me well for the rigors of my transition to civilian life.”

During his final year in uniform, Orr was already thinking hard about his post military career. “I didn’t want to be a cop or a prison guard. I had to put the gun away,” he said. “I needed to move away from that lifestyle. I didn’t want to deploy anymore.”

Shortly after retiring from the military in early 2013, Orr moved his family back home to Northern Delaware and decided that entrepreneurship was the right path for him. He immediately turned his attention to finding a franchise that would allow him to utilize the leadership, critical thinking and team work skills he developed throughout his time in the

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Army. He also wanted to find a franchise that would make possible the lifestyle that he wanted for himself and his family.

At a job fair, he was approached by a franchise coach from the Entrepreneur’s Source, who suggested Handyman Matters, a Denver-based home improvement and home repair services franchise with nearly 150 locations across the country.

Orr opened his Handyman Matters franchise in September 2013, having spent about $75,000 on the franchise purchase and start-up costs. About $25,000 was from his own resources and the remaining $50,000 was from a SBA-backed Patriot Express loan.

“We do small repair work for residential

and some commercial … We try to bring a sense of trust with the construction and handyman industry. There are so many people working out of the back of their truck, who do shoddy work, take your money and leave,” Orr explained. “We provide consistent, on-time service and offer a one-year warranty.”

In about 18 months, Orr’s business has grown to six employees, five of them handymen who can go to a home and fix “anything that doesn’t require a license,” as he puts it. As the business continues to expand, Orr plans to hire other veterans like himself.

For more information about Handyman Matters, please visit www.handymanmatters.com.

101 Mobility

of Knoxville gets new General Manager The New Year brings Rob Yeager to the helm of 101 Mobility of Knoxville. Rob succeeds Keith Kregel in the General Management position in the Sherway Road location.

“My past experience puts them at ease; there’s a calming trust factor that sets in when they hear I used to be a firefighter and a marine.”

Formerly, Rob was with a mold remediation company in Nashville and prior to that position he served on the Knoxville Fire Department for 18 years.

His work experience and service as a marine has been a great asset as he settles into his role at 101 Mobility. “Interacting with the customers has been great,” said Rob. “My past experience puts them at ease; there’s a calming trust factor that sets in when they hear I used to be firefighter and a marine.”

Helping individuals find the right mobility or accessibility product to meet their needs is a careful process involving product training and excellent customer service skills. “It’s been fantastic working with our team. Service Manager Josh Casteel and our office manager Anna Williams have been extraordinary,” said Rob. “It’s great that we get to help people and both Josh and Anna are crucial to making everything run smoothly from scheduling to installations.”

Rob looks forward to continuing business development and has goals to expand the team in 2015. For more information regarding 101 Mobility of Knoxville’s services and products including stair lifts, auto lifts, and ramps, please visit: http://knoxville.101mobility.com/ or call 865-896-9425 to speak with a service professional.

lifts, power wheelchairs, scooters and

By working with patients to identify which home health care devices best suit each individual’s needs, 101 Mobility of Knoxville provides an alternative to group homes and rehabilitation centers by increasing accessibility and allowing clients to live self-sufficiently in their homes.

available for home, office, and institution.

For more information, please visit: http://knoxville.101mobility.com

About 101 Mobility of Knoxville 101 Mobility of Knoxville is a full-service

sales, service, and installation provider of a complete line of mobility and accessibility products and equipment, including stair

lifts, auto lifts, ramps, porch lifts, patient more. Short and long-term rentals are also

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101 M obilit y

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VetFran

VetFran 2015 The International Franchise Association (IFA) held its annual convention in Las Vegas from February 15 - 18.

On President’s Day, the IFA ºEducational Foundation hosted its annual VetFran Chairman Corps Reception to thank the generous donors of the program. The Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard opened the ceremony with the presentation of the colors. Outgoing chairman of the

VetFran Committee Members with Nellis AFB Honor Guard, left to right: Jim Amos, Jr., Mary Thompson, Eric Stites, Steve Wadlington, Gordon Logan, George G. Eldridge, Jeff Bevis and Joe Lindenmayer.

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VetFran Committee, Joe Lindenmayer, welcomed the crowd and extended a thank you to the program’s dedicated sponsors.

The VetFran Committee met on Sunday, February 15, to discuss the accomplishments of the past year and to discuss priorities for the upcoming year.

VetFran received the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) highest honor in 2014, the “Power of A Gold Award” for its industry-wide effort to hire and recruit 80,000 veterans, military spouses and wounded warriors. Since Veteran’s Day 2011, through Operation Enduring Opportunity, 203,890 veterans have found career opportunities in the franchise industry, with 5,608 becoming small business ownrs, far surpassing the OEO goals.

VetFran committee members conducted workshops for veterans throughout the year, including the Franchise Expos in Houston, New York, and Los Angeles, and focused on women veterans (Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of

Entrepreneurship – V-WISE). In May, VetFran led a panel discussion at the Service Academy Career Conference to discuss the different aspects of franchising that appeal to military personnel. In October, VetFran sponsored the Simpson Cup event at Congressional Country Club which consisted of wounded warriors from USA and UK joining forces to raise awareness and funds for supporting these heroes.

Another highlight included a presentation, an Introduction to Franchising, by Ben Litalien at the Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) National Graduate Training Conference in November in San Antonio, Texas. On November 12, at Joint Base Anacostia, Steve Caldeira and Kevin Blanchard represented the IFA in support of the Chamber of Commerce Hiring our Heroes job fair. The program announced the commitment to hire 500,000 veterans.

Gordon Logan, the incoming Chairman of the VetFran Committee stated “this year we will be focusing on providing the absolute best opportunities to our Veterans through the VetFran program, which includes concerted efforts to get the word out to Veterans, active duty service men and women about the opportunities available to them through the VetFran programs. We want to publicize not only franchise ownership possibilities but also employment opportunities with VetFran member companies. Our new website will be a big step in this direction, thanks to our partners Qiigo, whom provided the web site to us at no charge as a service to our Veterans.”

Furthermore, VetFran will continue its effort with the Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes Program to help veterans learn about jobs in franchising and also future franchise ownership possibilities. Additionally, VetFran will continue cooperative efforts with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Marriott to promote the franchising concept to veterans. A co-sponsored event

“While some adventurous tourists were off enjoying Valentine’s Day, this group of volunteers decided to take a different tour of Las Vegas.” with the SBA and Marriott is planned for November 3, 2015, titled Franchising Focuses on Connecting Veteran-OwnedSmall Businesses to Corporate Supply Chain– Learn how your small business can service corporate supply chains. This will be a training on “best practices” for navigating corporate supplier diversity programs. There are plans to conduct three more of these events during the year to focus on different aspects of franchising.

On a beautiful eighty-degree day, the VetFran committee partnered with the Franchising Gives Back program to take 80 volunteers to serve at Veteran’s Village, a transitional housing facility in Las Vegas. While some adventurous tourists were off enjoying Valentine’s Day, this group of volunteers decided to take a different tour of Las Vegas. The day before the IFA Annual Convention begins, members of the franchising community came together to support this event, Franchising Gives Back, which is in its fourth year. This program is part of a non-profit initiative coordinated by the IFA Educational Foundation. Each

year the program chooses a community project that fosters a sense of community for convention attendees while they lend their time and muscles to help make a difference in a local organization.

The challenge this year was to clean, scrape and paint the exterior of the Veteran’s Village which was once a rundown motel on Las Vegas Boulevard.

While some volunteers painted, others set forth assembling 500 emergency toiletry kits that included a simple but personal thank you note in each one. This year’s event was coordinated through the Las Vegas United Way. Several members of the VetFran committee rolled up their sleeves and participated in this day of service.

Additional information on Franchising Gives Back can be found at www. franchisinggivesback.org or by contacting the program manager, Gionne Jones, at gjones@franchise.org.

Details on the VetFran program can be found at VetFran.com or by contacting the program manager, George G. Eldridge, at geldridge@franchise.org.

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Er b er t & G er b er t ’s

Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop franchise is promoting its current franchise incentive to Veterans with hopes they will be able to join the Flavor Nation.

Through its Vetfran discount E&G offers Veterans $5,000 off the initial franchise fee of $30,000 for new franchisees, and $3,000 off any subsequent territory purchases.

E&G Franchise Systems values the work ethic and dedication of our nation’s heroes and we are proud to offer this incentive to help with the initial costs of franchise ownership. Customers are looking for a

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unique, and value driven menu in the fast casual sector and Veterans are seeking franchise opportunities which are good investments. E&G is ready to support qualified Veterans with the franchise acquisition process.

Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop indeed crosses that line of uniqueness and relevancy, yet has proven systems in place, which provides the comfort platform our guests need, and at the same time attracting franchisee investment capital.

E&G Franchise Systems, Inc. recognizes that individual investors have specific needs and appetites for growth. We offer a business plan template designed to help you develop strategic thinking as a prospective franchisee. It is also helpful when approaching lending institutions and potential investors. Though you may

not be a franchisee yet, the business plan template is given as an example of the type of assistance we offer to our franchisees in helping them reach their dream of owning a business. We offer multiple franchising opportunities ranging from Single, Multi and Area Developers.

E&G has taken great efforts to make their brand unique and recognizable while continuing to expand their sandwich shop franchise on a national basis.

E&G would like to inform you more about the details of the specific franchise offering and invite you to visit the E&G Franchise Website at: www.erbertandgerberts.com or visit the VBS advertisement to have a representative contact you right away at: http://www.veteransbusinessservices.us/ product-item/erbert-gerberts/

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