veterans

Veterans Franchise Reviews From FBR

October 25, 2012 By Joel Libava Leave a Comment

(Courtesy of vox Efx, Flickr.com)

Franchise Business Review, (FBR) has been in business for several years, and has amassed a large amount of franchise data.

About FBR:

“Franchise Business Review is the leading market research company in the franchise industry, assisting prospective franchise buyers through the examination process of today’s leading franchise systems. Before you invest in any franchise opportunity, get the facts from Franchise Business Review. Our independent franchisee satisfaction reports measure the health of any franchise system, based exclusively on the feedback of today’s franchise owners… the real franchise experts! ” – From the Franchise Business Review website

Veteran Data

The franchise industry has been aggressively targeting our military veterans the past couple of years.

The reasons have to do with fit, and the fact that so many of them are returning and jobless.

FBR just released an interesting report on veterans who have purchased franchises.

According to information I found on the FBR website, the data compiled for this report, (which recognizes the top vet-friendly brands based on overall veteran franchisee satisfaction) comes from their surveys. FBR surveyed nearly 3,500 military-trained franchisees, representing 265 brands. And, FBR also interviewed franchise executives.

FBR seems to have done a very thorough job on this important report.

However…

Not every franchisee who’s a military veteran in every franchise in the US was surveyed.

So, while the report is very comprehensive, it doesn’t reflect the experiences of every veteran franchise owner.

I like what FBR does, and I trust their data.

So, if you’re a military veteran, and you’re thinking of franchise ownership as one of your career options, grab this franchise report.

You’ll learn a lot.

Filed Under: Buy a franchise, veterans Tagged With: franchise business reviews, franchise data

From Forbes.com: Should Veterans Look Into Franchising?

June 18, 2012 By Joel Libava 3 Comments

Veteran writer, Carol Tice , just wrote an interesting column over at the Forbes.com website, and if you’re a military veteran who’s been leaning towards franchise ownership, it’s worth a read.

Carol’s article isn’t the first one to question whether or not today’s military veterans should investigate opportunities in franchise ownership; but, it’s the first column I’ve seen written on a major website like Forbes.com that uses a specific franchise opportunity as an example of bad stuff that can happen to a veteran. (Don’t you think that our military men and women have experienced enough bad stuff?)

I’ve said this before and it’s worth repeating;

Franchise ownership is not for everybody. As a matter of fact, it’s not for most people.

Now, that’s not a slam on my industry. It’s just that most people don’t have a high tolerance for risk, and buying a franchise can be risky. There are certainly ways to lower risk, and it’s what I specialize in when I consult with potential franchise owners.

Please spend 5 minutes, and read Carol Tice’s article on how franchise chains recruit veterans over at Forbes.com.

What do you think? Should veterans take a serious look into franchising?

Don’t Sign It.

Filed Under: forbes.com, veterans Tagged With: carol tice franchises, military veterans franchising

Military Veterans And Franchises: A Fit?

May 6, 2012 By Joel Libava 1 Comment

I’ve had the honor of working with several of our military veterans over the years. I’ve participated in Veteran’s Symposiums. And, I’ve helped veterans find franchise businesses.

I love working with veterans. I figure that it’s the least I can do. It’s my way of showing gratitude for their service.

Men and women with a military background can make fantastic franchise owners. They have a serious amount of built-in skills, including discipline, focus, and the use of systems. Generally, they’re comfortable with authority, which is a plus in a business model like franchising.

In General

Not all military veterans are suited to franchise ownership. For example, some veterans are more risk-averse than others. Some veterans don’t have the investment needed for a franchise business. And, it’s fair to say that some of our vets have had enough stress in their lives, and just don’t want the type of stress that tends to be associated with a start-up business. For them, a traditional job is probably the way to go.

But, if you’re a veteran that’s interested in exploring franchise ownership (or you know one), I put together a list of tips for over at the International Franchise Association’s VetFran blog.

(VetFran is the IFA’s program that helps returning service members access franchise opportunities through training, financial assistance, and industry support.)

Read my 5 Tips for Military Veterans Interested in Franchise Ownership