Veterans november 2016 franchising usa 5#1 4

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Veterans in Franchising NOVEMBER 2016

www.franchisingusamagazine.com

fastsigns solid business model appeals to veterans

veterans day 2016 big discounts Franchising USA

SAME DRIVE. DIFFERENT BATTLEFIELD. TAKE THE NEXT STEP > VETFRAN.COM OFFERING FINANCIAL SUPPORT, TRAINING & MENTORSHIP Veterans interested in franchising can take their skills learned in the military to successfully own and develop small businesses. Learn more and support veterans in franchising at www.vetfran.com.

• 650 franchise companies participating • 151,000 veterans and their spouses found careers in the franchise industry • 5,100 veteran franchise owners

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V eterans in F ranchisin g S u pplement november 2 0 1 6 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

Profiles

54 FASTSIGNS

56 Postal Connections

58 Veterans Day 2016: Big Discounts

60 Sport Clips

Cover Story 54 FASTSIGNS Solid Business Model

Appeals to Veterans

66 PIRTEK

Focus 68 DoodyCalls

News and Expert Advice 58 Veterans Day 2016: Big Discounts Jim Mingey, Founder and Managing Director,

Veterans Business Services

Franchisor in Depth 62 The UPS Store

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V e t erans in Franchising

C over S tor y - FASTSIG NS ®

FASTSIGNS’ Solid Business Model & Reputation Appeals to U.S. Military Veterans When a retired Army musician researched the best franchises for veterans, FASTSIGNS stood out among the rest.

businesses. Adrian utilizes some of the skills he gained during his military career and does everything from business development and installations to large project management. When they were evaluating franchises, they liked what they found in FASTSIGNS.

Despite never having worked in the civilian sector other than a few random jobs in college, Steve Adrian said the decision was easy to become a FASTSIGNS owner.

“We liked the business model and wanted to work for ourselves. FASTSIGNS gave us the autonomy we wanted but without the risk normally associated with starting a new business on your own,” said Adrian.

“Lynchburg was an available market, which was perfect for us since that’s where we planned to live when we left the service.”

Adrian and his wife are owners of a FASTSIGNS in Lynchburg, Virginia where they provide sign, graphics and visual communications services to local

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“Recently, FASTSIGNS was honored with the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award at a ceremony at the Pentagon. The Freedom Award is the highest recognition presented by the Department of Defense to employers for their exemplary support of National Guard and Reserve members.”

Adrian prepared for retirement from the Army and was in a good position to obtain a loan from the Small Business Administration. He advises other veterans to look ahead and consider how they’ll transition from military duty to their next career. “Start preparing at the beginning of your military career, not the end,” he said.

Solid Reputation Veterans should also consider the reputation of the franchise they are considering. Are they recognized in the industry as being “military friendly” and do they have a strong track record with veterans?

Recently, FASTSIGNS was honored with the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award at a ceremony at the Pentagon. The Freedom Award is the highest recognition presented by the Department of Defense to employers for their exemplary support of National Guard and Reserve members. FASTSIGNS International, Inc. was one of 15 employers from across the nation receiving the prestigious award.

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. Business Consultant and Air Force Reservist Stephen MacKenzie and his family were in attendance with CEO Catherine Monson, who accepted the award on behalf of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. MacKenzie nominated his employer for

the award because of the personal and financial support provided during his most recent deployment overseas.

“We were honored to be in Washington, D.C. with the other award winners and their guests,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “There were very moving stories of the sacrifice of the citizen soldiers and their families, as well as of the great support and caring by their employers and coworkers. My hope is that more companies will be motivated to do the same thing for the veterans, service men and women, reservists and National Guard members they employ.”

Veteran Incentives Over 10 percent of FASTSIGNS franchisees are military veterans. Veterans possess a number of valued skills and a wealth of experience essential to corporate positions and successful franchise business ownership. As part of the commitment to veterans and to the military, FASTSIGNS International offers incentives to military veterans, including a 50 percent reduction on the initial franchisee fee (a value of $22,500) and a savings on royalties and advertising fees for the first year.

FASTSIGNS International is also a proud participant of the International Franchise Association’s VetFran program (Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative), which assists military veterans by helping them access franchise opportunities through training, financial assistance and industry support.

Franchise Research Institute has named

FASTSIGNS a top sign and graphics franchise and has awarded the company certification as a 2015 World-Class Franchise for four consecutive years.

FASTSIGNS was also recognized by USA Today, Military Times magazine, G.I. Jobs magazine and Franchise Business Review as one of the top franchises for military veterans.

About FASTSIGNS® FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 630 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers in nine countries including the US, Canada, England, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Grand Cayman, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).

FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive sign and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including décor, events, wearables and marketing materials.

For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity and specific veterans incentives for veterans, contact Mark Jameson at mark.jameson@fastsigns.com or 214-346-5679, or visit www.fastsigns.com.

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V e t erans in Franchising

Postal C onnections

soaring to new heights with franchising

“By franchising with Postal Connections, Jim and Elizabeth found a network of support not unlike the camaraderie Jim was so accustomed to from his time in the military.”

Taking Flight

Choosing to pursue a career in the military is an admirable investment in both the country and a person’s future. Of the more than one million men and women that make up our country’s Armed Forces, each has his or her own reason for choosing to enlist.

For Jim Bowe, the path that led him to the Air Force was a natural one – and one that provided him the dedication, strength and willpower necessary to later follow a path to embrace his entrepreneurial side and open his own franchise.

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Jim joined the Air Force ROTC at Brigham Young University in 1979.

Following his graduation in 1985, he went on to pilot training and then became an instructor at the Air Force Undergraduate Navigator Training School in California.

In 1989, Jim became an AC-130H Aircraft Commander for the 16th Special Operations Squadron in Florida, flying Spectre gunships for various missions across the world.

After separating from the Air Force in 1999, Jim continued flying commercially for Continental Express and then American Airlines. Although flying for commercial airlines meant Jim had more time to spend with family – compared to the 270 days he spent overseas each year on average when he was an Air Force pilot – Jim saw many of his colleagues being furloughed and worried that it could happen to him, too.

Following a New Path In 2003, Jim’s brother approached him with the idea of going into business together. For Jim and his wife, Elizabeth, it was a thought that would not only provide them with a financial backup plan, but

one that also gave them the opportunity to realize a lifelong dream. Jim and Elizabeth had discussed wanting to start their own business for years – even during Jim’s tenure in the Air Force – but held back out of concern that their respective backgrounds would not support their passion for business ownership.

This time, Jim and Elizabeth decided to take a leap of faith and became owners of their very own Postal Connections franchise in 2003.

Finding Support and Success By franchising with Postal Connections, Jim and Elizabeth found a network of support not unlike the camaraderie Jim was so accustomed to from his time in the military. When medical issues challenged this husband and wife team only a few years after opening their first Postal Connections store and right before the busiest season of the year, the entire Postal Connections franchise family was there in support, offering to help in any way they could.

Coming from a world with procedures and checklists in place for everything he did, Jim’s experience from the Air Force and commercial airline industry

provided him the ability to approach his Postal Connections business strategically.

From employee training to marketing best practices and everything in between, the systems and processes that Postal Connections has in place for its franchisees are what Jim credits for the success of his stores. Above all else, Jim strives to take care of his employees and customers first – much like he was trained as an officer in the Air Force to make his troops his first priority.

Today, Jim and Elizabeth own and operate three Postal Connections stores in Red Lion, Lancaster and Ephrata, Pennsylvania, which opened earlier this year. Elizabeth and their son-in-law now oversee the day-to-day operations of both businesses, and Jim and Elizabeth have realized their most important goal with their Postal Connections stores – a family business and lasting legacy.

Fred Morache is the COO of Postal Connections, a business services franchise connecting consumers with convenient access to postal products, shipping, printing, creative services, copying, faxing, passport services, notary and shredding in more than 15

states, and CEO of iSOLD It, which provides consumer support for selling on eBay, Amazon and Craigslist. Visit Postal Connections online at www. postalconnections.com and iSOLD It at www.isoldit.com.

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V e t erans in Franchising

Jim Mingey, Founder & Managing Director, VBS

Veterans D

Here come those discounts again from all of America’s patriotic merchants. Whether it’s free coffee, a breakfast, admission to a theme park, a good night sleep at a hotel or a free haircut, this year’s Veteran discounts offer something for everyone.

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Are all these merchants really patriotic or could this just be good business through making an annual discount gesture to the 23,000,000 Veterans in America?

In fairness, for many merchants both of those goals are compatible and many major companies like Home Depot offer year round discounts and many other non-commercial community programs for Veterans. Discounts seem to come from everywhere. Veterans can even get a $25 coupon for completing a personalized and confidential behavior survey from VetsPrevail where Veterans earn rewards for helping each other to discover issues and overcome their challenges with PTSD.

Franchise Industry Discounts Within the franchise industry it hasn’t escaped franchisors that offering discounts to Veterans is very good for business. At VetFran, an initiative of the International Franchise Association, over 700 of their franchise members compete for Veterans attention and the VetFran discount deals they list are even star rated for value and vetted for viability. Even though VetFran offers valuable opportunities, the franchisors still wouldn’t make their offers without a very good prospect of getting their upfront discount (which might be viewed as their investment) back from

Day 2016 “We believe there will be many new disruptive ‘discount’ ideas for Veterans coming from franchise consultants in 2017.” the Veteran franchisee over the life of the franchise. Of course the discount can hopefully be a win/win.

Ask your own franchise consultant what cash discount they can provide on your franchise idea.

Any reputable consultant will spend hours with a Veteran, asking questions and listening to your needs and goals, before ever recommending a franchise.

Any consultant who starts mentioning companies after a few minutes of conversation is simply trying to steer the Veteran to an opportunity that probably benefits the consultant without considering what really benefits the Veteran.

Nevertheless, even reputable consultants have a limited number of pre-screened opportunities. And if the Veteran isn’t interested in one of those “pre-screened” opportunities, how can he/she really know if they are truly getting unbiased advice.?

Of course that same consultant can adapt to other potential choices and whatever is most important to the Veteran looking for a franchise. But at the end of the day the consultant will typically recommend a franchisor they represent and that pays that consultant a fee.

So often franchise consultants will say their services are “free”. Maybe Veterans should ask their franchise consultant if they will share a percentage of their “free” fee from your selected franchisor.

Ask if they will guarantee the greatest

possible rebate on your transaction.

Or maybe Veterans should ask if the consultant will continue to represent them and even provide a 100% discount on the consultant’s fee if the Veteran eventually chooses an opportunity that is not one on their list.

We believe there will be many new disruptive “discount” ideas for Veterans coming from franchise consultants in 2017.

In the spirit of Veterans Day “discounts”, all Veterans should have a conversation with their franchise consultants about possible discounts and fee rebates long before they go into the discovery process on any franchise opportunity.

VBS Founder and Managing Director, Jim Mingey, is a decorated Vietnam veteran raised from a proud military background. An entrepreneur for

Jim Mingey

more than 35 years, Jim can relate on a personal level to the needs of the veteran small businessperson, and possesses the practical knowledge to implement his experience in today’s market. Jim participated in the EBV Program at Purdue University, is a mentor at American Corporate Partners, developed the first approved franchise training program for the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program at Veterans Administration, and was instrumental in forming the first equity fund in the United States exclusively for veteran owned small businesses and franchises: The Veterans Opportunity Fund. Jim intends to keep on ‘advocating’ for veterans in franchising. www.VeteransBusinessServices.us

Enjoy your Veterans Day! [Click below to see some Veterans Day deals*]

http://militarybenefits.info/miscellaneousdiscounts-veterans-day-deals-veterans/ *Keep in mind that most businesses require proof of military service and not all franchise locations participate in their national chain’s Veterans Day programs -- be sure contact your nearest establishment to make sure they are participating.

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V e t erans in Franchising

Spor t Clips

Veterans Win

with Sport Clips Haircuts Franchise as Post-Military Investment

Charlie agrees with Larry, saying that interacting every day with people is the reason he enjoys anything he does. Before he sold his veterinary practice, he was looking for a business investment. Charlie first looked into food service franchises.

He later heard a Sport Clips radio commercial while driving about “owning a franchise,” and called his wife, Linda, and asked her to look into it. He even talked with his two sons and son-in-law about the concept, and all three were Sport Clips clients living in different cities.

Engy Cox

Larry Strong, Charlie Jones, Engy Cox and Ed Passarelli all have fulfilling careers that include military service.

Larry was an accountant and controller for several businesses and served two decades in the Army National Guard, retiring after 21 years as a Captain in the Corps of Engineers. Charlie was an aircraft technician in the Marine Corps; later becoming a veterinarian and serving in that role for 14 years in the Army; after which he established a private practice.

Engy was a high school math teacher before deploying as an Army Reservist to Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom and now works for the Department of

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Defense. And, Ed is a tax preparer.

When Larry was laid off from his job at 59-years-old, he began searching for his next challenge. After talking with his sonin-law, Scott Harbour, they decided, along with Larry’s daughter Kathryn, that Sport Clips would be a good business to bring to the Huntsville, Alabama area. Scott and his son had seen a Sport Clips and liked the concept. And, Scott particularly like the idea of a manager overseeing the daily operations of the business. Larry says he’s best at accounting and maintenance, and Scott has expertise in marketing and operations. So the family made the investment in their first store five years ago and will soon have four locations in the greater Huntsville area. What he likes best about the business is the opportunity to meet and interact with “all kinds of different people in the stores.”

Time passed, and a year later he sold his practice. While he was outside working, moving hay from his barn, he says he literally heard “Sport Clips” from above.

He called the Sport Clips franchising team that morning to see if opening a store near his home in Lake Charles, Louisiana, was an option. The response was that the franchise had been looking to locate a store in that area for more than a year-anda-half.

It’s now been three years since Charlie and Linda opened their first Sport Clips.

They have a second store open with a third lease in the works. He says from his days in the military, he likes teamwork, having systems in place and being part of an efficient operation such as Sport Clips.

For Charlie, it’s a way to “reap the benefits of what others have done and provides the opportunity to build upon that success.”

Engy says she comes from an

Larry Strong

Ed Passarelli

“Engy says she comes from an entrepreneurial family and knew she’d always be a business owner. She and her husband, Terry, researched franchise opportunities and says Sport Clips, for them, was “above all the others,” primarily because of its strong support of the military and veterans.” entrepreneurial family and knew she’d always be a business owner. She and her husband, Terry, researched franchise opportunities and says Sport Clips, for them, was “above all the others,” primarily because of its strong support of the military and veterans. The franchise was founded by CEO Gordon Logan, who served in the Air Force. It has numerous philanthropic efforts, with its signature being “Help A Hero” that supports VFWadministered scholarships for U.S. service members and veterans taking the next step in their civilian careers. Like the military, Engy says a franchise is structured, and the recommended business model is tested

and true. In both settings, she says it’s important to follow the rules and lead by example. Engy and Terry have two stores in California, and they are working on a third. She says even though they are busy with a young daughter, they plan to have five stores in six years.

Ed served in the Air Force and was a technician in the Rhode Island National Guard. He says in the military, it’s important to seek out other people who have more experience. That is what has helped him as a franchisee, seeking out those within the system who have been successful and getting advice from his teammates. He came to be a part of the

Charlie Jones

Sport Clips team after his wife, Maria, managed stores for another hair care brand. She saw how well Sport Clips locations were doing when they moved into a market, told him about the franchise, and he says it sounded like a place he’d want to get a haircut. His first location opened two-and-a-half years ago, with a second now open.

SportClipsFranchise.com

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V e t erans in Franchising

T he U PS S tore

Why Veterans Make Great Franchisees When I entered the business world I was ready to apply the skills I worked to develop in my seven years of service in the U.S. Marine Corp: leadership, self-discipline and good old-fashioned hard work ethic.

Many of my fellow veterans return to civilian life with the same goal and skills – skills I believe are particularly well-suited to the franchising world. Many of those veterans look to open their own business as a second career and many consider franchising. In fact, The UPS StoreŽ found in a recent survey, that 63 percent of veterans and active duty service members who envisioned a second career as a small business owner considered owning a franchise.* At The UPS Store, we are always seeking strong individuals who are ready to take on the rewarding career of franchising.

I have seen firsthand how the drive and discipline gained in the military can be a great advantage for veterans looking to own their own business and open a franchise. Of the 4,500 The UPS Store locations in the U.S., more than 250 are owned by veterans and that number continues to climb.

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“At The UPS Store, we believe that any franchising organization will benefit by having veterans in their ranks. We are proud to support America’s military men and women, and we encourage other franchisors to do the same.”

Partnering in the Veterans Transition Franchising Initiative (VetFran), The UPS Store offers franchising opportunities that allow veterans to own their own business.

VetFran offers benefits to veterans that can help them become franchise owners.

At The UPS Store, qualifying veterans receive $10,000 off the franchise fee for a new The UPS Store location and 50 percent off the initial application fee.** With skills such as leadership, selfdiscipline and a hard work ethic, veterans have all the qualities needed to be a successful business owner. In fact, 54 percent of service members from that same survey felt confident that the skills they gained in the military help them to be successful in the civilian world.

Teamwork makes the dream work Veterans know the value of teamwork.

They know that the success of the organization is dependent on the hard work of every team member. The same is true in business. It takes all members of a team working together to create and sustain a thriving business. From managers to print experts, every role in a franchise is essential to keep things running smoothly.

Additionally, veterans know that every team or business needs a leader to thrive and grow. It’s essential for franchisees to be able to lead teams of employees, and clearly communicate expectations and business goals. Similar to the order and

structure in the military, it’s crucial for employees to understand what’s expected of them to be successful. This can also give employees a sense of ownership, which makes them more invested in the company.

Ability to follow and execute a plan Veterans are used to taking charge and executing a plan for success. In business, specifically with a franchise system, it’s the same process. Franchising allows individuals to start a business with a proven game plan and resources.

At The UPS Store, we’re very proud of our comprehensive training because we believe it helps set our franchisees up for success. From our survey, we know that 68 percent* of service members feel that training would help them overcome their concerns about transitioning to the civilian workforce. I know from personal experience that veterans have a lot of great skills that lend themselves to running a business, but the training provides an opportunity for them to develop the business knowledge and day-to-day

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V e t erans in Franchising

T he U PS S tore

“At The UPS Store, qualifying veterans receive $10,000 off the franchise fee for a new The UPS Store location and 50 percent off the initial application fee.”** operational skills needed to own and operate a store. The training focuses on developing business acumen including human resources, marketing, operations, sales and financial management. However, just like it’s done in the military, it’s up to the franchisee to learn and apply their training to their store to create their own success.

Thriving under pressure Veterans are no strangers to stressful situations. In my time with the military and with The UPS Store, I know that things don’t always go exactly according to plan. It’s essential to be able to course correct and come up with a new plan.

Quick thinking and the ability to stay calm under pressure are skills that veterans learn during their service that come in handy during challenging times.

Employees will look to a leader during

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a high-pressure situation. It’s important for franchisees to set the tone and keep a level head to set an example for employees, while also directing employees toward the solution to the problem.

Hard work and discipline Finally, discipline and hard work are both things that are learned in military service that are essential to being a successful franchisee. The opportunity to be self-made is appealing to any business owner, but without drive and focus there is no guarantee that a business will be successful. It’s important to be passionate about your business and push yourself to succeed. The ability to work hard to create your own success is something veterans understand and appreciate.

At The UPS Store, we believe that any franchising organization will benefit by

having veterans in their ranks. We are proud to support America’s military men and women, and we encourage other franchisors to do the same. Find out more information about veteran franchising opportunities and the VetFran program today.

Veterans have done their part to protect the American dream, and they’re ready to make their own career dreams come true in the next chapter of their career. What embodies the American dream more than owning your own business?

By Tim Davis, President, The UPS Store, Inc., Former U.S. Marine Corps Captain and Gulf War Veteran * The results of the survey are based on an online survey conducted October 6-9, 2015 by The UPS Store, Inc., franchisor of The UPS Store network, with members of the military. The online survey was conducted with 500 members of the military, including 250 active duty service men and women, and 250 veterans. The UPS Store, Inc. strives to include accurate and up-to-date information but makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information or survey results provided herein; the information is provided on an “as is” basis. **Source: The UPS Store, Inc. Franchise Disclaimer Document, Item 5, Issued May 16, 2016

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V e t erans in Franchising

PI RTEK

Navy Veteran Finds Open Doors

at Detroit Area PIRTEK Locations company provides discounts to those interested in becoming franchise owners.

PIRTEK is also a supporter of the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation (CKFF), established in honor of the famed American Sniper by his wife, Taya Kyle. The mission of CKFF is “to honor God, country, and families who serve by providing experiences that strengthen military and first-responder marriages.” CKFF is also the official, not-for-profit organization of PIRTEK Team Murray, which raced during the Indianapolis 500 in 2016. Taya currently serves as the team’s ambassador.

10 years of service

It was 1989 and Oliver Romano was mapping out his future. The native of Pontiac, MI, was interested in technical careers, and had even received some schooling to that end.

Looking back on that year, he now sees his decision to join the US Navy as a major jump-start to his future livelihood.

“The military background for me is a great benefit,” said Romano, partner and general manager at the metro Detroit PIRTEK Service & Supply Centers.

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Being a veteran, he said, has made all the difference, opening doors and imparting qualities that tend toward success.

PIRTEK is in the business of hydraulic and industrial hose replacement sales and services. The company has more than 400 locations and 2,000 Mobile Service Vehicles in 23 countries. Currently, there are 58 PIRTEK Service & Supply Centers in the United States.

“When a piece of machinery ruptures a hydraulic or pneumatic hose, or if the hoses need maintenance, we go on-site and perform the replacement on the spot,” he said. “Instead of someone at the factory having to shop around town for the right hose, we just take care of it. All the fitting is done in the vehicle.”

In addition to welcoming veterans, the

Romano’s road to PIRTEK ownership began with his boot camp in Great Lakes, IL. That and his later training helped him develop greater levels of self-discipline, respect for others, orderliness, and knowledge – all things that would serve him well in the decades to come.

His first job in the Navy was hydraulics technician for weapons systems on destroyers. The hydraulics background was integral to his later work with PIRTEK. Romano’s position took him overseas on a number of occasions. First, he participated in Operation Desert Shield while stationed in the Red Sea. He was involved in the embargo associated with that famous operation.

During a five-year tour on the USS Scott, Romano served as a maintenance technician for that vessel’s missile launches. He spent a subsequent stint at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in Virginia, building surface-to-air missiles

“I look for veterans because of their experience.

They have added a lot to the business, both on the technical side and in managing people.

They’ve always worked well for us.” - Oliver Romano location, then went to 18 vans and four locations,” he said. “Our employees went from five to 38. That’s a lot of growth in a short period of time.”

Romano assumed general manager duties for the Detroit area, and also became a partner.

Hiring veterans: good business In his own hiring role at PIRTEK, Romano has always viewed people with military backgrounds as strong candidates. In fact, two of his current operations managers are former military. “I look for veterans because of their experience,” he said.

“They have added a lot to the business, both on the technical side and in managing people. They’ve always worked well for us.”

The military, he said, cultivates a number of important skills that translate into business, including the ability to think on one’s feet and manage stress. “Their time in the military helps them handle customer pressure and builds maturity,” he said. “If you’re in the Army and your tank breaks down in the desert, you’ve got to come up with something. You don’t know what’s coming, and you have to find a solution right away.”

for destroyers. “We put out 15 or 16 missiles per day when I was there,” he said.

“I started out there as a technician,” Romano said. “But I was really involved, working with the business, pushing sales.”

Romano finished up his military service aboard the USS Ponce, an amphibious transport for Marines that was active during the Kosovo conflict in 1999.

That involvement paid off. Romano became operations manager of the facility in 2001.

Detroit-area growth

That trait is important at emergency services companies such as PIRTEK, where every situation is different, and where there’s often a need to improvise.

Opportunity knocks

Before long, new PIRTEK Service & Supply Centers began opening up in the Detroit area. Romano became the general manager at PIRTEK Westland. Then he became involved in two more PIRTEK franchises in the area: a Sterling Heights location that opened in 2011 and a Wixom location in 2015.

Teamwork is another characteristic the military instills in those who serve. Romano said he considers the cooperative work of the combined staff in metro Detroit PIRTEK to be of utmost importance in their success.

“We have a great team here,” he said. “I can’t emphasize that enough.”

“We started off with three vans and one

www.pirtekusa.com

After 10 years of service, it was time for Romano to enter the private sector and start a career. He moved back to his home state of Michigan. As luck would have it, the newly opened PIRTEK in Madison Heights, MI – the first of four Detroit-area locations – was looking for someone who had his skill set.

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V e t erans in Franchising

Dood y Calls

A Couple of Military Veterans

Take Aim at Pet Po

in Boston Metro West

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Poop Veterans Jack and Rosemary Sheehy have discovered that their path in life includes keeping that path clean for others.

The couple owns the Boston Metro West DoodyCalls franchise – operating a fleet of trucks manned by a specially trained pet waste collection crew who clean up private and public properties. They service nearly 300 homes in the Metro West area, a territory that stretches from suburban Boston to Central Massachusetts.

When Rosemary Sheehy was 19, she enlisted in the Air Force and became a target intelligence specialist at Offutt Air Force Base, Strategic Air Command Headquarters, in Omaha, Nebraska.

“This required a top secret clearance, and I spent my days gathering coordinates for specific targets around the world,” she

“The name and service DoodyCalls provides just struck me as unusually intriguing. A business niche not drawing much attention. I reached out for more information and was convinced this was a good investment opportunity.” - Jack Sheehy

says. She was next sent to South Korea to work hand in hand with two F-16 Fighter Jet Squadrons.

Several years after leaving the Air Force, Rosemary met Jack, a veteran Navy submariner who, in 2006, had purchased the DoodyCalls franchise. Jack says, “I was, and still am an engineer at IBM, but one day I was looking at side-business opportunities on the internet. The name and service DoodyCalls provides just struck me as unusually intriguing. A business niche not drawing much attention.

I reached out for more information and was convinced this was a good investment opportunity.”

His instincts have proven to be sound – today the franchise earns more than $250,000 per year and its client base is growing. Rosemary says, like any small business, the early days were the most challenging.

“In the beginning Jack was the chief cook and bottle washer, doing every aspect of the job. Thank God, he eventually hired several employees to collect waste and a bookkeeper. About 6 years ago, he hired Jed Glass, our business manager, who has been a huge asset.”

While the company’s name and the services it provides garner plenty of jokes, the issue of uncollected pet waste is no laughing matter, she notes.

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V e t erans in Franchising

Dood y Calls

The American Pet Products Association estimates that there are some 77.8 million dogs in the U.S., and each one contributes an average of three-quarters of a pound of waste each. That comes to 29,000 tons a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA warns that pet waste is a significant source of water pollution, while the CDC has identified a number of illnesses that can be caused by contact with pet waste.

The service can also save a pet’s life.

When DoodyCalls scoopers notice something unusual in a pet’s waste they notify the owners that they should schedule a visit to their vet. Dog waste can carry potentially serious bacteria and parasites that can harm both pets and people, especially children, the elderly, and persons with different medical conditions.

“People are better at cleaning up after their pets than they once were, but it remains a serious problem,” notes Jack.

All across the country DoodyCalls franchises volunteer to clean up parks and public green spaces.

“At DoodyCalls we get behind community service. We have experienced teams volunteering in many states, and if everyone would get on board we could

Franchising USA

“One of the reasons I chose DoodyCalls was that I was very impressed with Jacob D’Aniello and his business model. After 10 years, Jacob continues to provide great support to his team of franchise owners because he truly cares about each one of us.” - Jack Sheehy make huge impact on all our parks and public spaces.”

cleaning up after their pet problematic or even impossible.

With their growing franchise, the couple now handles marketing, maintaining their fleet of branded trucks, and all the daily tasks that come with running a successful business.

“It is well established that pets are beneficial for the emotional wellbeing of those who are disabled, but waste disposal is often a significant challenge for them,” says Rosemary. “For us, providing our service is a win-win situation for them on many levels.”

“Our goal is to build our DoodyCalls service to a point where once we decide to retire we can live comfortably and keep running this business that we love,” Rosemary says.

“The experience that we both had in the military at a young age taught us discipline and respect for others, and these traits are a great asset to anyone who wants to run a successful business. Everyone at DoodyCalls does their best to go above and beyond to make our customers happy.”

One of their passions is providing services for disabled veterans and others with physical limitations that can make

Jacob D’Aniello and his wife Susan founded DoodyCalls in Virginia in 2000. DoodyCalls is the nation’s trusted leader in pet waste removal services for homeowners and communities.

“One of the reasons I chose DoodyCalls was that I was very impressed with Jacob D’Aniello and his business model,” says Jack. “After 10 years, Jacob continues to provide great support to his team of franchise owners because he truly cares about each one of us.” www.DoodyCalls.com

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