VETERANS IN FRANCHISING NOVEMBER 2020

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Veterans in Franchising november 2020

www.franchisingusamagazine.com

New franchise wants to put friendlier

face on tax preparation

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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 november 2020 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

Q&A

45 Cover Story: GI Tax – New Franchise Wants

to Put Friendlier Face on Tax Preparation

56 Navy Veterans Make a Smooth Transition to Franchising Peggy & Steven Johns, Tropical Smoothie CafĂŠ

Veterans News

Veterans Profile

48 Edible

58 Meet Proud Franchisee and Purple Heart Recipient, Yonas Hagos

49 JDog Brands | In Honor of Our Veterans

Have Your Say 62 Franchising is Fuelling Veteran Jobs Mike Pearce, Chief Development Officer, Authority Brands

Focus 54 National Cleaning Franchise Protects Public

During Pandemic AdvantaClean

60 Former Marine Employs Team-building

Philosophy to Drive Franchise Business,

Jeremy Weber

Expert Advice 52 Goodbye, 2020: End-of-year Responsibilities to Keep Businesses in Compliance Sean Manning, CEO, Payroll Vault

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veteran news

VETERAN AND ENTREPRENEUR TEAMS UP WITH WIFE TO OPEN EDIBLE MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISE Edible, the world’s leader in gifts and treats, has signed a multi-unit agreement in Arkansas with esteemed business operators Ty and Brieon Mitchell.

With 1,000-plus locations nationwide, the Mitchells join the brand with plans to add four locations throughout Arkansas with the first store set to appear in North Little Rock.

“With a diverse professional background, we were looking for a new business venture with a reputable brand that aligned with our values and provided a unique long-term growth opportunity, and Edible ticked off all of our boxes,” said Ty, a former banking manager.

The couple have a diverse business background—they are prominent members in their community as the Founders of nonprofit organizations, K.I.N.D. and D.R.E.A.M.S. Ty served on the board of the local Chamber of Commerce and is an Accredited Financial Counselor, while

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Brieon is a dedicated veteran and has been an experienced entrepreneur since 2006.

“We are committed to growing Edible strategically with new franchise partners that possess the desire to create an exceptional experience for our guests,” said Patricia Perry, Vice President of Franchise Development. “Ty and Brieon share that vision and will be a fantastic addition to Edible. For more than 20 years, we have been perfecting our brand culture to fill our system with qualified leaders that will help expand our presence nationwide and I am confident the Mitchells will do a great job representing Edible in Arkansas.

On being a Veteran, Brieon Mitchell shared his thoughts with Franchising USA: “I grew up a small town kid with big dreams. Serving my country was not only a life-changing experience, it undoubtedly shaped me into the man I am today. It was during those years that I realized the importance of commitment, integrity, discipline, and leadership. The first time

traveling abroad was during my service years. I am grateful and honored to be recognized as a Veteran along with my fellow brothers and sisters who have walked the same path. I will always cherish the life-long relationships and service of the heroes with whom I am honored to call “Battle Buddy.” www.ediblefranchise.com

JDOG BRANDS OFFERS FRANCHISE OWNERSHIP DISCOUNT TO CURRENT, FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT

JDog Brands is recruiting even more Veterans to join its rapidly growing band of Veteran- and Military-family owned franchises.

Now through Dec. 31, 2020, Veterans and Military family members that are also current or former law enforcement will receive a $5,000 discount off the initial franchise fee for both JDog Junk Removal and Hauling and JDog Carpet Cleaning.

In major cities across the U.S., police officers are retiring at double, even triple the usual rate. Many of them will be looking to put their skills and training to use in a new way, including entrepreneurship and franchise ownership.

“The experience, work ethic, and values these public servants gained from their time on the force, combined with their experience as Veterans or Military family members, makes them uniquely suited for business ownership at JDog,” said Army Veteran Jerry Flanagan, the co-founder and CEO of JDog Brands.

“Our focus on people, purpose, and patriotism is a natural fit for those still looking to serve. We hope this offering will make business ownership a more realistic option for Veterans and police officers nationwide.”

“I would recommend JDog to any individuals in law enforcement looking to open their own business, solely on the fact that you are in control of your success,” said Mustafa Browne, a U.S. Air Force Veteran and former Deputy at the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office in Yorktown, Virginia. Browne is the owner of three JDog Carpet Cleaning franchises in Williamsburg, Virginia, which he opened alongside his wife, Ellen, an Army Veteran, in fall 2019. “JDog gives me the opportunity to continue serving my community, and, as a Veteran brand, it provides that same camaraderie you have as a brother or sister on the force.”

JDog franchise ownership opportunities are available across the U.S. For more information about this promotion or to determine if you’re eligible, visit: www.jdogbrands.com/law-enforcement

IN HONOR OF OUR VETERANS This Veterans Day, Franchising USA salutes the men and women who have served their country. This day is a special reminder to us all of the sacrifices they have made for our freedom.

And to commemorate November 11, we thought we’d remind our readers of some important Veterans Day facts: • The origins of Veterans Day go back to November 11, 1919—the one-year anniversary of World War I. President Woodrow Wilson declared it “Armistice Day.” It officially became a federal holiday in 1938.

• Veterans Day differs from Memorial Day, in that it commemorates all Americans who have served their country.

Memorial Day honors Americans who have died in the line of duty.

• The 624-acre Arlington National Cemetery is the resting place of more than 400,000 military service people and their families. An observance is held each year at the cemetery on November 11 at 11am (the time the armistice agreement was signed).

• Canada, Australia, France and Belgium call November 11 Remembrance Day. The United Kingdom observes Remembrance Sunday on the second Sunday of November.

Source: https://www.rd.com/list/veterans-day-facts/

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cover story: G.I. Tax

New franchise wants to put friendlier face on tax preparation Florida-based G.I. Tax has given themselves a seemingly impossible mission; to make tax offices comfortable and fun. And if clients’ children are anything to go by, they are succeeding.

“We have kids, when it’s time to go, they don’t want to go. They do the whole ‘limp noodle’ thing because they don’t want to leave. Where in the world does a kid come into a tax office and doesn’t want to leave and makes his parents drag him out?” said Glenn Sandler, founder and CEO of G.I.

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Tax. “That’s what we’ve created.”

Sandler noted that the general public tends to be scared at the thought of doing their taxes and he wants to flip that on its head.

People who are due to get a tax return should be flocking to tax offices in January, he noted, but they might not drift in until October because of the fear they have of all things tax-related.

we have G.I. Tax M&Ms, we have branded water. When people walk in, they say: ‘I can’t believe this is a tax office.’ We have the constitution on the wall, the Declaration of Independence and we have the Pledge of Allegiance on the wall and the words to the Star Spangled Banner. If you bleed America, you will love doing business with us.”

That’s why G.I. Tax goes out of its way to make their offices comfortable with features like video games, coffee machines, kids’ activities, free sunglasses and more.

In addition to making a fun environment for their clients, they also donate $5 for every tax return they prepare to support military and veterans charities.

For branding, Sandler chose to go with a patriotic theme.

“Last year we did 4,000 tax returns and we just wrote a check for $20,000 to be split between five different charities,” Sandler said.

“We bleed red, white and blue,” he said.

“We have red, white and blue furniture, we have American flags, we have jingles,

The CEO’s ultimate goal is to have 1,000

franchises throughout the country and be able to donate between $10-20 million per year to veterans and children’s charities.

With their corporate location in Melbourne, FL and a couple of franchise locations thus far, G.I. Tax is already getting known for its charitable contributions and now charities are lining up to get on the franchise’s list of recipients.

Getting started A certified public accountant, Sandler started G.I. Tax in 2012 with the intent of franchising it. However, he wanted to hold off on selling franchises until he had the operation perfected.

Now that they have their franchising system the way they like it, G.I. Tax is ready to welcome franchisees. So far, they have a franchise location open in West Melbourne, about five miles from the corporate office, another one being built in Denver, CO, and one in Littleton, CO, just south of Denver.

high professional standard, you’re likely to succeed with a G.I. Tax franchise, Sandler noted.

They are also courting potential franchisees in Maryland and California right now and hope to have 10 franchise locations sold by the close of 2020.

In order to talk with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you need to be a certified public accountant or an enrolled agent licensed by the IRS, Sandler said. You can take a 40-hour class to become an enrolled agent and become licensed by the IRS to do tax returns.

Franchisees interested in buying a G.I. Tax location should be entrepreneurial and want to have a significant return on their investment while dealing with professional people, Sandler explained.

“So, it’s not a lot of education or certification, but it will set you apart from everyone else and you’ll be able to talk to the IRS and take care of your customers,” he said.

Unlike other franchises that require a lot of equipment and inventory, a G.I. Tax franchise requires just an inexpensive buildout with no inventory and only a small amount of overhead like computers and office furniture.

While the tax return aspect of the business can scare some people, Sandler noted, everyone has to pay taxes, which makes G.I. Tax recession-proof.

“The relationship you develop with your customers is unbelievable and it’s an unbelievable business,” he said. “You build up a lot of trust with your customers and basically you’re their financial consultant all year long.”

As long as you show your customers you care about them and their families and their finances and you hold yourself up to a

Veteran opportunity Sandler said he would love for veterans to become franchise owners with G.I. Tax. “It would be the perfect transition into the workforce for them,” he noted.

Veterans who are interested in buying a franchise get a discount on their franchise fee.

In addition to giving opportunities to veterans, they also make good franchisees because they are used to training and working hard, Sandler said, and they are disciplined.

“If we can load up our franchise with people who have work ethic like veterans have, it’ll be good for our franchise and good for our customers,” the CEO said.

Training In keeping with the military theme, G.I. Tax offers Basic Training, which includes learning G.I. Taxware and going through G.I. Tax Boot Camp. Franchisees are trained how to use the franchise’s tax software to prepare returns.

For training, franchisees go down to Florida for a week and when their locations open, representatives from G.I. Tax will go to their location and help them get up and running.

Preparing taxes is often the easiest thing to teach new franchisees, Sandler noted.

“What we have to teach our franchisees is how to drive traffic and take care of their customers. We have a theory; everyday is a grand opening.”

That means making sure your location is clean and inviting every single day and making sure people are comfortable when they come in.

In addition to training, G.I. Tax also provides administrative support and helps franchisees with their social media, their websites and provides training on how to hire the right people.

With their strong branding, their charitable endeavors and a focus on making tax preparation comfortable and fun, G.I. Tax seems well on its way to reaching its goal of 1,000 franchises across the country. www.gitaxfranchise.com

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expert advice: Sean Manning | CEO | Payroll Vault

GOODBYE, 2020:

END-OF-YEAR RESPONSIBILITIES TO KEEP BUSINESSES IN COMPLIANCE Preparing your business for the new year may rarely be this difficult — or this important Each time the calendar reaches a new year, it brings a time of both reflection and anticipation.

It’s no different in business.

Owners and employers in businesses of all sizes can use this time to weigh the good and bad of the past 12 months; while setting goals for the next year and visualizing any changes they want to see in the makeup of their companies.

That anticipation may never be more welcome than at the close of 2020.

After a year of uncertainty and adversity, however, there has rarely been more work needed to wrap up the year, particularly regarding regulatory issues. Certain tasks must be completed to ensure your business stays compliant before giving in to the natural tendency of looking ahead.

Entering 2021, compliance-related consistency will be as important as ever — from addressing safety and health concerns going forward to accounting for any credits the business took advantage of in the past year.

Let’s dive into the most important end-ofyear responsibilities and break down the tasks which need to be marked off your to-do list.

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Safety and Health Going Forward No matter the circumstances, though particularly important after 2020, the health and safety of all employees is critical. When turning the page to a new year, it is the responsibility of an employer to make sure the workplace provides the best possible environment going forward.

Not only will the end of the year bring a chance to hear the concerns of your workforce, it also provides an opportunity to ensure the business is operating within the compliance standards of state and federal laws.

Those mandates may be fluid during the current health crisis due to the COVID-19

pandemic, and it is important that business owners stay flexible, keeping a close watch on necessary changes for the start of 2021.

Communication is Key Towards the end of each year, it can be a good time to re-assess the benefits package offered to employees. Which healthcare options work the best for both the business and its employees? Which investment and retirement options are still available to your workers?

Regardless of any changes, it is necessary to clearly communicate those benefits to allow employees to make their decisions. It is also essential to clarify any deadlines or enrollment periods as they approach in the coming months.

“Having paperwork done, organized, and ready at year-end will make for fewer headaches as tax season approaches.”

“When turning the page to a new year, it is the responsibility of an employer to make sure the workplace provides the best possible environment going forward.”

“Towards the end of each year, it can be a good time to re-assess the benefits package offered to employees.”

Getting ahead of these decisions and announcements will not only simplify the process but will put the entire business and its workforce on the best path towards successful transition into the new year.

Renew Licenses and Permits States have specific guidelines for keeping any licenses or permits up to date, as well as for reporting any significant business changes if necessary. Taking care of these legal compliance requirements should be near the top of any business’s to-do list at the end of the year.

These needs could include the renewal of any licenses or permits to offer the services your business provides so that you can continue to legally operate. They also could depend on any changes expected in the structure of the business, whether that is simply changing the business address or completing any “doing business as” registrations.

Through the difficulties of 2020, many businesses have had to rethink the way they get the job done. Maybe those changes include the size of the staff, or whether that staff will now work from home. If that

is the case, your state may have different compliance notices you are required to present to employees — again placing the emphasis on communication and organization.

Regardless of those changes, every business owner must ensure they complete the requisite forms to avoid being out of compliance or dealing with any regulatory issues. Be sure to check on which of these need to be taken care of.

Make The Next Tax Season Bearable Of course, the new year also means business owners are in for plenty of work in the coming months. Tax season begins toward the beginning of the year, so having paperwork done, organized, and ready at year-end will make for fewer headaches as tax season approaches.

As we all know, 2020 introduced an abundance of credits, payroll loans, and other new legislative changes due to the pandemic. Many small and mid-sized business owners utilized at least some of those relief efforts, meaning they will have to be accounted for in the spring tax season.

The end of the year brings with it a deadline for some of those relief programs, meaning paperwork and any necessary applications must be in order; to allow a business to take part as intended.

If a business hasn’t kept the correct documentation for these loans or credits,

Sean Manning

the end of the year provides a target to get organized before it’s too late.

As is the case every year, the anticipation of what is to come will only be made sweeter if a business has done the necessary work to set the stage. Whether doing the work yourself or outsourcing to other services, there has rarely been a year when tying those loose ends has been so important.

Sean Manning, CPA, CFE, is partner and CEO of Payroll Vault brands, whose divisions include Payroll Vault Franchising LLC, the payroll service franchise business system, and Payroll Vault – Littleton, the corporate location and independent payroll service company. He is the former owner of Insperience Business Services, an accounting, tax, and business advisory firm located in Littleton, Colorado, that he sold in August of 2018, subsequent to three firm acquisitions from 1998 through 2004.

You can find out more about Payroll Vault and its services at www.payrollvault.com

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focus: AdvantaClean

NATIONAL CLEANING FRANCHISE PROTECTS PUBLIC DURING PANDEMIC As the COVID-19 pandemic has instilled fears of health and safety for the entire nation in 2020, one franchise has found opportunities to use its cleaning services to help members of the community across the country.

AdvantaClean is national franchise that specializes in indoor air quality and mold remediation. Shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak, the company added building sanitizing and disinfection to its portfolio of services.

Since that time, AdvantaClean franchisees have sanitized patrol cars in a gesture of appreciation for first responders, disinfected buses to help protect children returning to school and cleaned air ducts for a women’s domestic abuse shelter to ensure the health of its residents. In each case, the franchisees provided these services for free as a way to help others as we collectively work to overcome this virus.

Here are some examples of the charitable work AdvantaClean franchisees have performed in recent months:

First Responder Vehicle Sanitizing In the first several months during the spread of the virus, 10 AdvantaClean franchisees across the country provided free sanitizing services on first responder

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vehicles in each of their local communities.

The AdvantaClean staffs disinfected police cars, fire trucks and ambulances, fogging and mechanically wiping the high-touch areas of each vehicle such as the steering wheels, door handles, seat belts and onboard electronics.

“We are happy to do this for our first responders,” said Dave Harley, franchise owner of AdvantaClean of Badgerland in Wisconsin. “We respect what they do on a daily basis in putting their lives on the line for us. This is the least we can do to thank them.”

All the franchise owners offered the service free of charge to spare the

departments additional expenses on their operating budgets. It also gave them the

opportunity to show their appreciation for the first responders who are on the front lines in protecting the public from the

spread of the virus by providing them with a safe working environment.

“We don’t know what our officers are picking up when we are out on the

street and bringing it into our cars and

transferring from officer to officer,“ said Captain John Hoell of the Mequon (WI) Police Department. “This brings a new level of safety and it is great they can provide it for us.”

“We’re always looking to give back to the community,” said Stanley. “I know the schools were having issues about when and how to open, and I thought a great way to give back to others was to sanitize to school buses.”

School Bus Disinfection Prior to the start of the school year, Kim Stanley, a franchise owner with AdvantaClean of Winchester, Virginia disinfected 25 buses with the Frederick County (VA) Public Schools at no charge.

Stanley and her crew identified areas inside the buses that were frequently touched by students, such as the door, seats, entry handlebar and windows, and disinfected each location.

The sanitizing process gave children, parents, bus drivers and school staff an extra level of health and safety as the students returned to school this fall.

Air Duct Cleaning for Women’s Shelter Lyle Nearby, franchise owner with of AdvantaClean of Monroe, cleaned the air ducts for Turning Point, a shelter for women and children who have suffered from domestic violence. The work was done on a pro-bono basis and it is estimated to be a $5,000 job, which enabled the shelter save money and devote funding to other programs and services to help its clients.

“I came out for an estimate for an air duct cleaning for the facility and I thought it would be nice to do it as a donation,” said Nearby. “I didn’t want them to pay for that.

The money could be used elsewhere to help other people. As a business owner, I feel it

is important to give back to the community, especially in today’s world where money may be tight for some people.”

Nearby and his staff cleaned the air ducts at the 11,000 square foot facility in Monroe, September 15-17. The project took a combined 55 man-hours, cleaning eight HVAC systems in the residence area and staff offices. One week prior to the cleaning, Nearby partnered with a local restaurant to host a pizza donation that raised nearly $500 for Turning Point.

“Lyle was great to work with. He is friendly and compassionate about helping his community,” said Jennifer Sanford, Turning Point’s Community Engagement Manager. “We were very thankful for someone who wanted to partner with us and provide those services for the shelter.”

AdvantaClean’s franchise owners are a great example of adversity bringing out the best in people as they try to help keep their communities safe during a difficult time. www.advantacleanfranchise.com

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Q& A: Peggy & Steven Johns, Tropical Smoothie Cafe

NAVY VETERANS MAKE

A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO FRANCHISING

What branch of the service were you in, what did you do and what was your rank when you left the military?

Steven and I were both in the Navy, and held multiple jobs within our branch. I started off as a cook during the Persian Gulf War and eventually ended up as a Military Police officer. I was in the Navy for ten years. Steven also served in the Persian Gulf War and Operation Enduring Freedom as an Air Traffic Controller, and retired as an E-7: Chief Petty Officer.

What is it about franchising that attracted you to it? Are there any parallels between your experience in the military and the franchising business model?

The franchising business model gives franchise owners structure and responsibility. There are many parallels between our experience in the military and the franchise world! Military experience gives you structure and teaches you to be a leader, honest, reliable, and to serve. The franchise model is very similar in that sense. Tropical Smoothie Cafe encourages franchisees to be involved with and support their communities. Our military experience and owning a franchise work hand in hand when it comes to the responsibility to serve others.

When and why did you choose to franchise with Tropical Smoothie Cafe?

We opened our first cafe in July 2019 and have had an incredible year so far as part of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe family. Our efforts and involvement led us to become Rookie of the Year for the brand in 2019. What attracted us to Tropical Smoothie Cafe was the shared values and vision. Steven and I share the same

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“The biggest piece of advice I can give a veteran looking to open a franchise is to do your research and find a franchise that you wholeheartedly believe in and share the same vision. If you’re passionate about the brand that shares the same values as you, you’ll be amazed with what you can accomplish.”

passion to serve the community, and the brand prioritizes being a part of our community and giving guests the best experience.

How many cafes do you currently own? Do you have more in development?

We own and operate one cafe in Schertz, Texas (San Antonio market). We have plans to open another in the same market but are still working to lock down a location. Finding the perfect location is our biggest priority, as we want to engage and be involved in that community there just as we are in Schertz.

Are you involved with any local charities?

We’re incredibly engaged with our community. Something we’re very passionate about is cancer awareness, and we strive to give support wherever we can to help those in our community that are affected. We have held many awareness events to support our community. We’re also engaged in local schools and students by helping support academic clubs and athletic teams.

Earlier this year, we held a fundraiser to raise awareness for childhood cancer. A local nine-year old warrior who was fighting cancer passed away, and on what would have been his tenth birthday, Steven and I proudly gave kids 10 and under his favorite smoothie. We raised nearly $2,500 and donated it to the family.

We understand how devastating this is, and our family always wants to be here to support our community, no matter what kind of contribution it is. Now that it’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, for every Bahama Mama smoothie ordered through the end of the month of October, we will give two dollars to the National Breast Cancer Research Foundation. One of the most recent activities I did was dye my hair pink, put up signs around the cafe, and give away various trinkets to our customers to raise awareness for the cause. We also added a pink ribbon to all of our smoothie cups.

“There are many parallels between our experience in the military and the franchise world! Military experience gives you structure and teaches you to be a leader, honest, reliable, and to serve. The franchise model is very similar in that sense.”

During the height of the pandemic, we also donated about 3,000 smoothies to first responders, nurses, doctors and other essential workers to show our love and support.

Lastly, another initiative we’re a part of in our community is the Operation Battle Buddies program. The program gifts puppies with a purpose to become service dogs for disabled veterans. I was blessed with an amazing pup, Hope, who has become a service dog and assists me with my physical needs. The program helps train veterans with their new dogs and engages in the community whenever they can. We feel blessed to be a part of an amazing program, and we try to participate with them whenever we’re available.

What advice do you have for veterans looking to open a franchise?

The biggest piece of advice I can give a veteran looking to open a franchise is to do your research and find a franchise that you wholeheartedly believe in and share the same vision. If you’re passionate about the brand that shares the same values as you, you’ll be amazed with what you can accomplish. In order to be successful, relationships with the franchisors and the community are imperative. www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com/

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profile: Yonas Hagos | Multi-unit franchisee of Chicken Salad Chick, Arby’s, Smoothie King and Dunkin’

MEET PROUD FRANCHISEE AND PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT,

YONAS HAGOS

“I decided to join the Army after 9/11.

I had never felt more American than in that moment and wanted to defend the country that had given me so much.”

Franchising USA: Tell us about your journey to the USA. Yonas Hagos: I was born in a refugee camp in Sudan in 1982. My parents emigrated from Ethiopia in the 1970s because of the civil war. In the late 1980s, my father had an opportunity to bring my family to the United States. He went first and, in 1992, was able to finally bring us over. It was definitely a shock when we first arrived, coming from a mud hut in the refugee camp to a place with running water and electricity. I grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, outside of Chicago, in a twobedroom Section 8 apartment. My four siblings and I shared one room and two twin beds.

Fran USA: Tell us more about your time in the military.

YH: I decided to join the Army after 9/11.

I had never felt more American than in that moment and wanted to defend the country that had given me so much. I served overseas in Iraq, which was a humbling experience for me, being reminded that I was once like them. Through the horrors of war, I was brought back to my roots.

In 2004 while still in Iraq, I was wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade and was later awarded a Purple Heart. I took my collective experiences with me when I returned to America and came back with a different mindset. Even to this day, at 38 years old, I still have to remind myself to remain humble and not forget where I came from.

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including Burger King for eight years.

After selling my Anytime Fitness, I was promoted in my full-time job and ended up working with two guys that went on to become my business partners. We looked into several different restaurant franchises before landing on Dunkin’. My dad used to take me to Dunkin’ on the weekends and I always had an admiration for the brand.

From there, we diversified our portfolio with Smoothie King, Arby’s and Chicken Salad Chick.

“I most recently opened my first Chicken Salad Chick in East Peoria, Illinois this July. From the moment I walked in the door, I was blown away; it was beautiful and felt like home.”

Fran USA: After you recovered from your injuries, what came next? How did you get involved in franchising?

YH: I started a painting and cleaning company outside of Chicago using the money I saved while overseas. It was a cheap startup, but it helped me to save enough money to pursue my first venture in franchising.

Around the 2008 recession, I moved to Plano and got a full-time corporate job.

During that time, I started working out at a local Anytime Fitness. One day, I talked to the owner who told me that the business model was recession-proof and that he

didn’t have to be super involved in the day-to-day. I’m an entrepreneur at heart, so I thought franchising could be a viable path back to owning my own business.

Long story short, I moved back to Wheaton and opened the first Anytime Fitness there, which was my first franchise concept. I ran that business while simultaneously working my full-time job for two years until I got married and then sold the gym.

Fran USA: How did you get involved with the restaurant franchises you operate now?

YH: I’ve always loved the restaurant industry. I worked on-and-off for a variety of restaurant franchises since I was 14,

I most recently opened my first Chicken Salad Chick in East Peoria, Illinois this July. I was first introduced to the brand while at a training in Dallas. From the moment I walked in the door, I was blown away; it was beautiful and felt like home.

I noticed it was busy – there were at least 15 people ahead of me in line – which immediately piqued my interest from a business standpoint, and the hospitality was top-notch. The first time I tried the food, it was love at first sight and once I met Scott Deviney, CEO, and the rest of the leadership team, I was even more sold.

As a franchisee of larger concepts, I was blown away by the brand, its processes and support. I was highly motivated and had a location picked out before they even approved me.

Fran USA: What is your advice to other veterans who might be interested in franchising with Chicken Salad Chick or franchising in general?

YH: Soldiers, when given a mission, don’t rest until it’s complete. That said, veterans can make great franchisees, especially with a brand like Chicken Salad Chick that has a purpose of spreading joy, enriching lives and serving others. That’s the very reason why I love being a franchise owner of the brand and why I could see other veterans doing very well because we find that joy in serving others.

My biggest piece of advice for other veterans is do all your homework on a concept before jumping in. Then, once you’re in, don’t try to reinvent the wheel.

It’s as simple as the saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

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profile: Jeremy Weber | Creative Colors International

Former Marine Employs Team-Building Philosophy to Drive Franchise Business Jeremy Weber relies on team-building skills he honed during his tenure in the armed forces to run a successful mobile leather and vinyl repair franchise with Creative Colors International.

As the nation honors our brave heroes for their patriotism, bravery, service and sacrifice on Veterans Day this November, it is important to recognize the impact veterans have on the business community.

There are 2.52 million businesses owned by veterans in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Veteranowned small businesses employ more than 5 million people in the United States and generate revenue of $1.14 trillion, according to a report from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Veteran-owned businesses represent nearly 10 percent of all U.S. businesses.

“When you are in the military, everything has a standard operating procedure.

“Executing systems and following procedures with precision is emphasized in military training and leads to success in franchising.”

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Everything has been done before, and you just need to follow the path, which is your key to success,” said Weber. “I was looking for a franchise, so I had that playbook and an established team already in place from a franchise network to help me be successful.”

It is not uncommon for veterans to turn to franchising as a way to pursue entrepreneurship. Veterans account for seven percent of the U.S. population, but at least 14 percent of franchisees served in the military, reported FranVet, a strategic initiative of the International Franchise Association designed to provide franchising information to veterans.

Military experience requires strong leadership and motivational skills.

Members of the military constantly work to improve processes to accomplish their mission. Similarly, successful franchisees lead their employees to accomplish the business mission as a team. The military has extensive training and teaches unique skills used to carry out very specific tasks.

Franchising also has comprehensive training and support built into the franchise process. A veteran can enter a completely new field and be likely to succeed by following the franchisor’s proven business model and completing the training program. Executing systems and following procedures with precision is emphasized in military training and leads to success in franchising.

Franchising gave Weber the opportunity to be part of a team, which he finds essential for success when it comes to operating his Creative Colors International of West Michigan franchise. “What gives me the most passion is building a team and directing them, setting boundaries and clear roadblocks and setting people up for success as a team, not as an individual,” he said. “We are here for a common objective, and as long as we are all focused on the team’s goals before the individual, then we will all succeed,” he added.

Weber joined the United States Marine Corps in 1993 directly out of high school.

He primarily served as a mortarman, which is a crew server weapon system. Mortarmen rely on a team for communication, as they often cannot see their target. Weber would typically operate on the gunline or at a command center

with a group of people coordinating and directing the activity on the battlefield.

Weber was stationed at Camp Pendleton and did two tours aboard the USS Essex, which was primarily in the Persian Gulf and the Western Pacific theatre of operations, before he left the military in 1997. Following his time in the military, Weber was in charge of information technology for Farmers Insurance and operated a consulting business. In 2015 he opted to pursue entrepreneurship as a franchisee for Creative Colors International Inc. “Creative Colors was the right fit for me,” Weber said. “I think there is a sense of belonging and being part of a larger unit in franchising that is familiar to those who have served in the military. There is some

individuality in being able to own your own franchise, but you are also part of something larger than that, similar to my experience in the military.”

CCI can repair, restore or replace damaged vinyl, leather, fabric or plastic goods.

The Mokena, Illinois-based company’s restoration services can salvage some of the most damaged items, saving customers up to 90 percent in expenses. Franchisees with CCI operate a home-based business requiring low overhead and offering high profit potential. CCI provides intensive training for new business owners and ongoing consultation by hosting conferences and being available to solve problems on a day-to-day basis online or via telephone. www.creativecolorsintl.com

“Creative Colors was the right fit for me, I think there is a sense of belonging and being part of a larger unit in franchising that is familiar to those who have served in the military.”

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have your say: Mike Pearce | Chief Development Officer | Authority Brands

FRANCHISING IS FUELING VETERAN JOBS Authority Brands is primarily comprised of service brands.

What makes a service opportunity a good investment for veterans?

In your experience, how does franchising fuel veteran jobs?

The veteran entrepreneurs that make up our system are some of the most hardworking, determined and passionate franchise owners. One of the biggest challenges for many veterans is returning home from service and adjusting to civilian life. While others have gone on to establish careers and families, coming home for a vet can bring obstacles. However, we’ve seen a positive correlation between veterans and franchising success here at Authority Brands. Many of the attributes that help veterans excel within the military also make them ideal franchisees—including following a proven system with a set of rules. The world of franchising uniquely marries entrepreneurship and the discipline needed to execute on a proven plan.

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Veterans are resourceful as they’ve obtained an array of critical skills throughout their service that can be applied to their daily lives as civilians and into their professional careers. For example, one of our America’s Swimming Pool Company franchisees, Brandon Grigsby, who owns the location in Port St. Lucie, FL, was eager to find a new career that provided flexibility for better work-life balance. Becoming his own boss was an easy transition, as he works under a brand that fits his lifestyle and allows him to weave in skill sets he adopted from his time serving in the United States Navy.

With service concepts that cover a variety of trades such as plumbing, electricity, HVAC, cleaning, and more—the offerings allow veterans to monetize their already established skills and professional experiences.

What kind of support does Authority Brands offer to veterans?

Authority Brands has always recognized that veterans are some of the most successful and best qualified prospective franchisees. We wholeheartedly respect the strength of military veterans and have established a business model which offers unlimited tools and resources for veterans who are seeking success and purpose

in the franchising industry. Each of our brands participate in the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) VetFran program that provides military veterans with special incentives and assistance to open a franchise. As a franchisor, we strive to offer military veterans the most comprehensive support and also offer financial incentives to help them launch their business. Additionally, Authority Brands has an established network of existing veteran franchise owners throughout our system which allows new franchisees to build relationships and exchange advice and best practices with fellow vets turned entrepreneurs.

What advice do you have for veterans currently looking into opening a franchise of their own?

Identify your passion. Whether that’s helping others through service or tapping into an industry that excites you, your purpose will be one of the key components that fuel your ability to approach your new business endeavor with the dedication and eagerness needed for success. As a franchisor, we are committed to making sure our franchisees are set up for success.

Mike Pearce is Chief Development Officer (CDO) for Authority Brands which includes the business brands One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mister Sparky Electric, America’s Swimming Pool Co., Mosquito Squad, Homewatch CareGivers and The Cleaning Authority. www.theauthoritybrands.com