v e t e r a n s s u ppl e m e n t
EXPERT ADVICE: Douglas Smith | Senior Vice President of Franchise Development | BELFOR Franchise Group
Veterans Can Find a Home in Service-Based Franchising Douglas Smith is the Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at BELFOR Franchise Group, the world’s largest residential and commercial services franchise group which operates franchises including 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, Chem-Dry® & Upholstery Cleaning, Delta Restoration Services®, DUCTZ International, HOODZ® International, N-Hance® Wood Refinishing, Blue Kangaroo Packoutz, The Patch Boys®, redbox+®, WINMAR®, and Z PLUMBERZ. For more information on BELFOR Franchise Group, visit www.belforfranchisegroup.com.
After sacrificing so much to serve the country, returning home to start a new career can be daunting for veterans – but it doesn’t have to be. There’s a natural connection between military service and franchising that offers veterans the chance for a fulfilling and successful second career. In particular, service-based franchising plays to many military skills and is increasingly indemand by home and business owners. In fact, according to a study by the International Franchise Association, one out of every seven franchises in America are currently owned by a veteran. BELFOR Franchise Group (BFG) prides itself on consistently hiring veterans to own businesses within its network of 11 service-based franchises. Two of our nine brands, DUCTZ and 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, were recently ranked on Entrepreneur’s list of top franchises for veterans. Let’s dive into a few reasons why franchising is a great option as a second career for veterans. 60 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
A Heart of Gold It takes a special type of person to put their life on the line to protect their country. The desire to selflessly serve and put other people’s needs before their own is a trait that cannot be taught. Upon leaving the armed forces, that compassion and inclination to give back doesn’t just go away. We’ve found that veterans find comfort within home-based franchises that provide communities with specialized services, whether it’s routine home maintenance or emergency response. At BFG, we have created a strong, inclusive culture that’s built on the foundation of “people helping people.” Take for example Bill Weber, owner of The Patch Boys of DuPage County and a 45+ year home renovation industry expert and proud U.S. Navy veteran. Since his time in service, Bill has been an active community member and assists homeowners, business owners and property managers with his company’s high-quality drywall and plaster repair services. His passion for helping others and commitment to service positioned him to become an incredibly successful franchisee. People with heart
and a desire to help others are the core of what makes a great home-based services franchisee – as for the technical skills, those can always be taught.
Growth Opportunities Within the armed forces, there is room to progress through the ranks with continued growth, skill mastery and leadership. The same goes for franchising – and entry into the franchising world often comes with a discount for veterans. We’ve seen time and again that team members who start out as entry-level technicians eventually work their way up to owning and operating their own business. This was the case for Tyler Keeports, co-owner of DUCTZ of North Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. After his military career with the Army, he worked as an electrician before joining DUCTZ as a technician. Thanks to comprehensive training and support programs, Tyler is now as a franchise owner alongside his father Dave Keeports, who is also a veteran. Just like veterans receive onthe-ground training within the military, ongoing coaching and development ensure that franchisees have both the technical competence and business development
