VETERANS AND FRANCHISING FROM FRANCHISING USA

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Veterans in Franchising august 2018

www.franchisingusamagazine.com

Veteran-Operated Franchise Business Built on Junk How My Military Experience Helped Me to Become My Own Boss

Inspirational Stories of Helping Veterans 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

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 august 2018 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

Veteran Profile

42 Inspirational Stories of Helping Veterans

42 Franchising Gives Back

44 How My Military Experience Helped Me

to Become My Own Boss

48 JDOG Junk Removal & Hauling

48 Veteran-Operated Franchise Business

Built on Junk

Veteran News 40 Marine Corps Veteran Assumes Ownership

of Nashville-Based PIRTEK Foster

Veteran Franchisee In Action 44 How My Military Experience Helped Me to

Become My Own Boss Christine Matthews, Franchise Owner, 9Round

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what’s new!

Marine Corps Veteran Assumes Ownership of Nashville-Based PIRTEK Foster PIRTEK stands behind former members of U.S. Armed Forces

PIRTEK Foster, a Service & Supply Center in Nashville, TN, is under new ownership. Matt Mejia, who previously worked for PIRTEK USA in operational support, officially took ownership of the PIRTEK location July 1.

A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Mejia said he deeply appreciates that PIRTEK is such a veteran-friendly company and recommends it to others who have served in the Armed Forces. “PIRTEK stands behind their veterans, and believes in helping veterans,” said Mejia. “The company’s principles go hand in hand with what I believe about the military and about our country.”

The world’s leading industrial hosereplacement service, PIRTEK offers special incentives to attract former members of the U.S. Armed Forces as franchise owners. For example, veterans enjoy substantial discounts when they set up a location. PIRTEK also supports the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, an organization established by Taya Kyle, wife of the famed American Sniper. One of the foundation’s missions is to help strengthen military and first-responder marriages by providing special outings and counseling opportunities for couples.

“Being a veteran, you would want to work

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for a company like PIRTEK,” Mejia said.

He added that PIRTEK’s commitment to veterans also benefits the company in return because of the military values that help make a successful business. “When you’re in the military, you learn leadership, the need to be mission-driven, attention to detail, service, commitment, discipline,” he said. “Also, a sense of urgency, which is important for a PIRTEK owner, because we have a one-hour ETA – we need to have an ongoing sense of urgency.”

A California native, Mejia left the Marines in 2008 and worked as a law enforcement officer for seven years before joining PIRTEK as a technician at PIRTEK Inland Valley in Ontario, CA. Eventually, he moved into operational support at the company’s Rockledge, FL, headquarters.

Since then, PIRTEK has been sending Mejia to various PIRTEK locations to help strengthen and bring them up to their full potential. When an opportunity to obtain his own franchise presented itself in Nashville, he took advantage of it.

That location, he said, has at least one out-of-the-ordinary aspect – the same one that made Nashville famous. “We serve all kinds of customers, including the

music industry,” Mejia said. “We’re at the Grand Ole Opry, fixing equipment on job sites where we might see a singer walk down the street. And because Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States right now, there’s a lot of construction going on.”

PIRTEK is the only franchise of its kind in the United States, providing hydraulic and industrial hose replacement sales and services. There are 76 PIRTEK franchises and a fleet of Mobile Service Vehicles throughout the United States. Globally, PIRTEK has more than 400 locations and 2,000 Mobile Service Vehicles in 23 countries.

PIRTEK is the fluid transfer solutions leader in sales and service and the only franchise of its kind in the United States.

PIRTEK boasts more than 400 Service & Supply Centers in 23 countries around the world, and has more than 30 years of experience in the hydraulic and industrial hose replacement field. Powered by an industry-leading approach to sales and service and backed by a corporate center passionate about its franchisees and customers, PIRTEK offers unmatched service and logistics.

For additional information about PIRTEK USA, visit www.pirtekusa.com.

The public and policymakers need to understand franchising.

Our purpose

@OurFranchise is an industry-wide campaign created to spread the word about the value of franchising and share the stories of men and women just like you, who are leading the way as franchisors, franchisees, and franchise employees. The franchise business model has been proven time and time again to work, but it’s threatened when the public and politicians don’t understand how it operates to benefit local, independent franchise establishment owners and their communities. Putting a spotlight on real leaders succeeding with the franchise model is how we’ll ensure franchising is stronger than ever before.

Follow us

Share the tools and resources offered on AtOurFranchise.org/resources

Help us keep the momentum going

Since our launch in June 2016, we’ve reached 1.7 million people through outreach efforts, including events in key cities and states, where we spoke directly with business owners, employees, policymakers, and the media. Additionally, we’ve reached people across America through our website and social media channels, digital advertisements, and the promotion of We the Franchisees on Politico – but there is much more work to do. As a franchisor, franchisee, or franchise vendor, you are a leader in your community – and we need your support, now more than ever.

You benefit by joining

By joining @OurFranchise, you’ll get access to exclusive stories and resources that can help grow your franchise business, educate employees at all levels about the franchise business model, and share the economic importance of franchising with consumers. You will also have the opportunity to share your franchise success story with your peers.

Visit AtOurFranchise.org Contact Erica Farage, Senior Director of Political Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy and Multi-Unit Franchisee Engagement International Franchise Association efarage@franchise.org (202) 662-0760

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Our Franchise

@OurFranchise

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This is just the beginning

Make sure you stay up to date with the campaign’s latest efforts through email updates and social media.

Visit our website to read and share the latest stories of franchisors and franchisees making an impact in their communities. Become a franchise advocate to help ensure Americans, now and in the future, have the opportunity to start franchise businesses. Take the lead today!

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Veteran Profile: Franchising Gives Back

Inspirational Stories of Helping Veterans “By the end of 2018, Dream Vacations . . . will have awarded 37 military veterans free franchises through its “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” annual contest.”

Foundation celebrates these contributions and the impact they have through its annual Franchising Give Back Awards.

Steve Romaniello

Every day, franchises across the U.S. are giving back to their communities in tremendous ways. They dedicate themselves to creating a lasting impact through community outreach programs and charitable initiatives.

These franchisees donate countless hours and money to fulfill community needs.

Some franchise businesses are especially focusing their community efforts on our veterans and fallen soldiers. The International Franchise Association (IFA)

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In 2015, the IFA Foundation hosted the first annual Franchising Gives Back Awards to recognize franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers that are impacting their communities in meaningful ways. This yearlong celebration has evolved as a wonderful way to showcase all that locally owned businesses have to offer to their communities and, most importantly, our veterans. We are excited to share a few of these phenomenal stories.

Supporting Continuing Education For five years, Sport Clips has been at the forefront of assisting veterans after active duty. Sport Clips is the primary supporter of the VFW’s Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship program. This program helps provide scholarships to service members and veterans for post-secondary schools and trade schools. To date, Sport Clips has awarded over 940 scholarships totaling $4.1 million. Additionally, in 2017, Sport Clips founder and CEO Gordon Logan made a $500,000 donation to the IFA’s VetFran program, which since 1991 has been working to foster the entry of veterans into the world of franchising.

Making Dreams Come True By the end of 2018, Dream Vacations (a CruiseOne company) will have awarded 37 military veterans free franchises through its “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” annual contest. The goal is to ease veterans’ transition back into civilian life with a career opportunity that combines their military skills and travel experiences. To date, Dream Vacations’ in-kind donations exceed $469,900 and, moreover, the contest has evolved into a broader veterans program for Dream Vacations. Today, more than 30 percent of its franchise owners are U.S. veterans and military spouses.

Connecting Families Of Fallen Soldiers For the last six years, Ampex Brands has been connecting children all around the nation who have lost a military parent through its sponsorship of the Snowball Express Children of Fallen Military Annual Gathering. This gathering is a chance to connect children and widows/ widowers to others who are experiencing an identical tragedy in their lives. This is a culmination of the largest gathering of children and families of fallen military in the world.

This initiative has garnered vast community support for its underlying commitment to keeping the memories of

Dream Vacations at the 2017 Franchising Gives Back Celebration & Awards Dinner - Gold Winner, Support Our Veterans Award.

these fallen soldiers and their sacrifices alive and never forgotten.

Stars for Heroes This year, CKE Restaurants Holdings — which owns Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s — held its eighth annual Stars for Heroes fundraising campaign. Between 2011 and 2017, CKE raised more than $7.5 million by encouraging franchisees to collect donations from customers to support military-centered charities. Funds raised during the 2018 campaign supported national charity partners, Stand Up and Play Foundation, and USA Cares, as well as other regional and local militaryfocused charities in the communities Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s serve. Franchisees nominated local charities to benefit from up to 50 percent of the funds raised in their stores.

Equipping the Troops Anytime Fitness is providing a platform for veterans to become entrepreneurs by partnering with Tee it Up for the Troops.

This initiative is aimed at helping military

veterans open their own gyms while also providing additional employment opportunities to active duty service members. Tee it Up for the Troops chooses a number of honorably discharged veterans and equips each veteran with a $125,000 grant and a $125,000 loan as initial startup capital to be used for the development of an Anytime Fitness franchise. Their efforts have helped open up over five gyms in the last five years, all owned and operated by military veterans.

How to Get Involved The IFA Foundation has been compiling a national registry to showcase franchise businesses and their charitable programs nationwide. To date, the registry features profiles for over 460 IFA members and showcases the efforts of more than 313,000 volunteers who have donated more than $245 million and 2.3 million hours to non-profit organizations. Franchisees who are members of the IFA and have made noteworthy contributions to their community are encouraged to submit their efforts and share their stories on the Franchising Gives Back blog.

Steve Romaniello, CFE, is managing director of Roark Capital Group, founding sponsor of Franchising Gives Back. franchisinggivesback.org

Save the Date!

4th Annual Franchising Gives Back Celebration & Awards Dinner Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018 at 7 p.m.

JW Marriott, Washington, D.C. For more information on tickets and sponsorships, visit franchisinggivesback.org

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FRANCHISEE IN ACTION: Christine Matthews, Franchise Owner, 9Round

How My Military Experience Helped Me to Become My Own Boss After serving her country for 17 years in the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, and the Army Medical Command, Christine Matthews felt confident in her military career.

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However, it was returning to civilian employment that proved to be the real challenge for Matthews, even with a master’s degree in education.

“I worked civilian jobs on an off in between military training and two oversees deployments,” said Matthews.

“But, having a civilian career was not easy since I didn’t know when my unit would be called up again to deploy. Also, not having much experience in my career field made it

difficult to get employment when returning from oversees.”

Matthews eventually moved to Colorado in 2014 and started a job in education. Even though working in education was fulfilling in many ways, Matthews felt there was something missing. So, she decided to research her interests more closely to discover her true passion. Ultimately, her search led her to 9Round.

“Kickboxing has been part of my life for

“Like many other military members, I knew I loved serving others, but was unsure how to transfer that skill and energy into an interesting, civilian career.” - Christine Matthews

Christine Matthews

9Round allows me to combine my passion for physical fitness and helping others into a business I love. It’s the perfect fit.”

Matthews now owns two 9Round locations in the Denver area and leads a team of nine employees. She is confident the values and experience she gained from her military service, combined with 9Round’s strategic business model, have been key factors in the success of her growing business. With her own franchise locations, Matthews is able to incorporate key military training into her career through impactful decision making, organization, efficiency, human resource skills and everyday discipline.

14 years and has helped me cope with the demands of my military and civilian jobs.

After trying the 9Round workout, I knew I had found the exercise program I was looking for, so I became a member. Little did I know at the time, 9Round would eventually play a much larger role in my life.”

Eventually, Matthews realized that her passion for wellness and healthy living was her true calling, and becoming a 9Round

owner provided a great opportunity for her to live her dream.

“Before becoming a 9Round franchisee, I’d been searching to find a fulfilling career outside of the military. Like many other military members, I knew I loved serving others, but was unsure how to transfer that skill and energy into an interesting, civilian career,” said Matthews. “Once I experienced 9Round, I realized I had found something special.

“Every core Army value – leadership, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage – as well as work ethic and lessons learned while in the military, shaped who I am as a person and who I am as 9Round owner,” said Matthews.

Matthews believes her time in the military strengthened her confidence, encouraged her to take risks and truly developed her passion to serve others. By owning a 9Round franchise, Matthews is able to make a difference in people’s lives by encouraging positive changes that lead to better, healthier lifestyles.

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FRANCHISEE IN ACTION: Christine Matthews, Franchise Owner, 9Round

“Military members have such a distinctive and specialized skill set, so it’s important to continuously search for opportunities that can be transformed into great success. Oftentimes, franchising provides that kind of an opportunity.”

- Christine Matthews “Military members have such a distinctive and specialized skill set, so it’s important to continuously search for opportunities that can be transformed into great success.

Oftentimes, franchising provides that kind of an opportunity,” said Matthews.

“Passion, strong work ethic, dedication and the power to make influential decisions are all a part of owning a franchise. With 9Round, I go home every day knowing I was able to impact someone’s life whether it be through stress relief, improving personal health goals or helping them push past their comfort zone.”

Matthews encourages active military members and veterans who feel unfulfilled in their civilian life to explore the opportunity of franchising. She believes owning a business reinforces one’s military skills and training, and when applied in the right opportunity, can lead to financial success, life satisfaction and overall happiness.

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Matthews’ advice for veterans looking to enter franchising: 1) Thoroughly research the company and brand before investing.

Depending on the time commitment and investment for the franchise, this may be the biggest decision you’ve ever made.

2) Ask yourself if this brand is something that’s aligned with you and your vision, and whether you believe in the product or service.

This is crucial to your happiness and commitment to the company.

3) Remember your “Why.” The reasons you became an entrepreneur and franchise owner will be your driving motivation through tough times.

4) Put your employees first. Always. A strong team and culture can determine whether a business will succeed or not.

This can be accomplished by having a “we” mentality vs. “me” mentality.

5) Treat mistakes as learning opportunities. If we get down on

ourselves or our employees for making mistakes, business ownership can be a long, hard road. Learning and growing from difficult situations is what this journey of life and entrepreneurship is all about.

Enjoy the ride!

Christine Matthews has been an active military member for 17 years serving in the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, and the Army Medical Command. After struggling to find her passion in civilian employment, Matthews began searching for a career that complemented her experience, specialized skill-set and interests. She soon discovered 9Round, a kickboxing franchise with over 700 locations, where she found happiness in helping others better their lives and being her own boss. Matthews is now the owner of two successful 9Round locations and hopes to share her advice with other military members struggling to find their place in civilian employment. www.9round.com/fitness-franchises

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profile: JDog Junk Removal & Hauling

“Recognition and appreciation are more likely to facilitate the generation of intrinsic rewards, which will lead to greater employee engagement.”

An American-Owned, Veter Operated Franchise Busine

Built on Jun “JDog’s vision is to empower Veterans through business ownership, creating financial and career opportunities that enable them to serve their local communities and realize their life goals.”

They say if you do something you love, you’ll never work another day in your life. I’m here to tell you, they couldn’t be more right.

When I started JDog Junk Removal &

Hauling in 2011, I didn’t set out to create a U.S. Military Veteran brand, and I

definitely had no idea what a positive force the business could become in the lives of Veterans.

Originally, it was a way for my wife and me to make some extra money on the

weekends. Over time it became something much bigger—a way for me to inspire and motivate my fellow Veterans. It became my life’s mission.

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The Veteran difference JDog is a mission-driven company. Our team is focused on empowering Veterans and giving them business opportunities and a familiar culture in which they can thrive in the civilian world. We are the only franchise system that requires franchisees be military Veterans or Veteran family members.

The military breeds hard workers and promotes familiar values like respect, integrity, and trust—values that are woven into the very fabric of the JDog brand.

People who have served in the military understand the importance of punctuality and properly groomed appearance, and this sets them apart as business owners and employees.

JDog’s experience is that customers value

these attributes and will always choose a Veteran business for a service when they have the option. It’s a win-win. More franchise organizations should consider specialized programs for Veterans because of these considerations.

Most Veterans still say “Yes, Sir” or “No, Ma’am” because it’s been ingrained in them as a sign of respect. We extend that respect to the homes and businesses we’re working in and even to the items we’re hauling—items that today might be someone’s junk, but in the past were treasured items for the customers we’re serving.

In addition to our Veteran franchisee requirement, JDog also hires as many Veterans as possible because we understand the challenges they face.

Transitioning from the military to the

“Transitioning from the military to the civilian world is often fraught with obstacles. . . . Working in the JDog franchise system provides a familiar structure for Veterans to once again work with others with whom they have served.”

raness

nk civilian world is often fraught with obstacles. The built-in support system and chain of command of the military is suddenly lost, and the civilian work environment is unfamiliar.

Working in the JDog franchise system provides a familiar structure for Veterans to once again work with others with whom they have served. The resulting camaraderie is inspirational and enables Veterans to work alongside others who understand what they’re going through and can support each other in both personal and professional matters. They rediscover the ethos of brotherhood and sisterhood they experienced in the military and they can flourish once again.

Behind every soldier At JDog Junk Removal & Hauling, we recognize and honor the role a Veteran’s family plays in military service. Military

families are often extremely close and they extend to neighbors, friends, and distant relatives—in effect, a support system that military spouses can lean on.

We felt it was essential to replicate that support system within JDog, and so we created JDog Spouses, a group my wife Tracy leads. Whether families are involved in the day-to-day operations of the JDog Junk Removal & Hauling franchise or not, the JDog Spouses organization provides advice, resources, and other help to balance family challenges while growing a JDog Junk Removal & Hauling business.

It’s yet another tribute to our military roots and another way we’re promoting the best elements of military life.

A future for Veteran business owners JDog’s vision is to empower Veterans through business ownership, creating

financial and career opportunities that enable them to serve their local communities and realize their life goals.

When we started this business seven years ago, we couldn’t have imagined that our humble, two-person operation would transform into a national Americanowned, Veteran-operated organization with 180 active locations serving more than 36.6 million Americans.

But it has, and more importantly, we’ve started a movement, creating business and employment opportunities for Veterans and military family members nationwide.

Jerry Flanagan is an Army Veteran and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of JDog Junk Removal & Hauling, a national Veteran brand dedicated to empowering Veterans through business ownership. www.jdogjunkremoval.com

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