You're in. Here's how to get ready.
You're in.
Here's how to get ready.
You’ve completed your Readiness Profile and met the qualifications to attend. Three steps before event day — the first one takes two minutes.
Event Date: Friday, September 18 • 12:00-3:00 PM ET
Event Date:
Friday, September 18
12:00-3:00 PM ET
Required to Attend
About 2 minutes
1. Create your event platform account
This is how you get in the door on September 18. Set it up now so you're not troubleshooting a login on event day.
Use the same email address you registered with. That’s what connects your registration to your event profile, so participating franchise teams can see who they’re talking to.
The event lobby opens about 24 hours before the Fair. We’ll email you the moment it’s live.
Do this before the Fair
About 10 minutes
2. Complete your Business Builder Profile
A short assessment that surfaces your strengths, preferences and potential fit for business ownership. It does double duty: your Veteran Franchise Coach uses it on your Discovery Call, and participating franchisors read it before the Fair to see who they're meeting.
Same email again. Use the address you registered with so your results reach your coach.
Then upload your results to your event profile
When your results come back, add the file to your event platform profile so franchise teams can review it ahead of your 1:1 conversations. Candidates who upload theirs get more out of those 10 minutes — the rep already knows your background, so you skip the introductions.
Recommended
7 minutes
3. Watch the Intro
What to expect on the day, how to get the most out of your First Look sessions, and what happens after. The goal isn’t to choose a franchise at the Fair — it’s to learn enough to have a real conversation with your coach. Download the event attendee agenda here.
Before
Finish the three steps above. When the lobby opens, explore the franchise booths and plan which First Looks you want to attend.
Event Day
Attend the First Looks that interest you, ask questions in the live Q&A, and connect 1:1 with the franchise teams you want to hear more from.
After
Meet your Veteran Franchise Coach for your Discovery Call to review what you learned and decide what’s worth a closer look.
Our team will be sending additional information leading up to event day. We look forward to helping you on your journey to franchise ownership. Have questions? Send us an email: [email protected]
Good to know
What actually happens during a First Look?
Each session runs 15 minutes and is moderated by a member of the Vetrepreneur® team — not a sales presentation. We interview a franchise representative alongside a current franchise owner, covering what the business does, what makes it different, why that owner chose it, what a typical day looks like, the biggest challenge they’ve faced, and whether you need industry experience. The last five minutes are live Q&A.
Sessions run in two parallel tracks, so you won’t be able to attend all seven. The full schedule is published in advance — pick the ones that interest you.
Do I have to pick a franchise at the Fair?
No. The franchises featured are a starting point, not a shortlist. After the Fair, your coach can help you explore any of them further — or look at opportunities from more than 600 brands if none of these are the right fit. Nothing you do at the event commits you to anything.
What do the franchise teams see about me?
Your Readiness Profile answers carry over into your event registration automatically — you won’t be asked to fill any of it out again. Participating franchise teams can review it, along with your Business Builder Profile once you’ve uploaded it.
Most franchisors have minimum requirements for capital, net worth and credit. Sharing this upfront is what lets them have a useful conversation with you instead of spending your 1:1 on qualifying questions.
When does the event lobby open?
About 24 hours before the Fair. Until then you’ll see a countdown. Once it opens you can browse participating franchise booths, review the First Look schedule and plan your day. We’ll email you when it’s ready, along with reminders leading up to September 18.
What if I can't make the whole three hours?
Come for what you can. First Looks run from 12:15 to 1:30, and 1:1 conversations with franchise teams are open from 12:10 all the way to 3:00. Attending even one session and one conversation gives your coach something concrete to work with.
Can I see the full agenda?
Yes — download the attendee guide. It has the full session schedule plus a field guide: the questions worth asking in each First Look, what to listen for beyond “do I like this brand,” and space to take notes.
The schedule lists the seven industries taking part rather than the brand names. Those are revealed when the lobby opens 24 hours before the Fair.
© 2026 | Vetrepreneur.com and Vetrepreneur Franchise Coaching is a private service that is owned and operated by M2V, Inc., a veteran-owned business and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the DoW, the VA or the federal government. The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.
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