The Vetrepreneur Franchise Coaching system is your pathway to achieving your entrepreneurial dreams through franchising. We simplify the journey by guiding you through a straightforward, proven process of discovery, selection, and ultimately, ownership.
Our system is all-encompassing, offering access to a dedicated live coaching team, informative content, regular email updates, and a cutting-edge portal that reinforces your learning. This portal contains all the essential information required to embark on and successfully complete your journey towards business ownership.
Navigating the world of franchising can be overwhelming, with a flood of offers and information coming from every direction. That’s where our trained consultants step in. Our coaches are here to educate, support, and nurture you at every turn. Importantly, there are no costs or obligations associated with using our services.
When you work with us, you’re not just tapping into coaching expertise – you’re leveraging a team with a rich history of assisting veterans in finding civilian opportunities. Our roots in the military community run deep, with milestones including the launch of Vetrepeneur magazine in 2004, the establishment of the National Veteran-Owned Business Association in 2007, and the initiation of the Buy Veteran movement in 2010. Your success is our mission, and we’ve been on this journey alongside veterans like you since 2001.
Our Franchise Coaching team is comprised of Veterans and dedicated Patriots who understand the unique advantages Veterans possess and obstacles they may encounter in franchising. While we specialize in assisting Veterans, our ability to serve non-veterans is also unparalleled, so non-veteran Patriots are also eligible. We find that our non-veteran clients appreciate the leadership and business discipline that our military-trained Coaches bring to bear!
No! You do need to have the attributes that make for a great franchise owner. But you don’t need to be an expert. (Example: You don’t need to be an electrician to run an electrical franchise).
-You don’t need a business degree or business ownership experience.
-You don’t need an idea for a start-up business.
The franchisor will train you in everything you need to know to be successful in the business and will provide ongoing training and support. Also, just like the mentality in the military, franchisees can lean on other franchisees in the system for advice and support.
Our coaching services are available in 48 out of the 50 states, with the exceptions being New York and Washington. Nevertheless, we maintain a network of trusted franchise coaches who can provide assistance in these states, ensuring you have access to the support you need, regardless of your location.
Usually, you can expect to have your initial discovery call with a coach within one to two weeks, though in some cases, it may be even sooner. If you have an urgent matter that requires immediate attention, you can reach out to our team directly, and they will make every effort to accommodate your needs. To initiate the process, please fill out the form provided here and schedule your discovery call. For expedited assistance, you can also send an email to cs@vetrepreneur.com. We’re here to support you at your convenience.
Our services are 100% free. Vetrepreneur is a veteran-owned business and may receive referral fees from participating franchise partners which enables us to provide our services for free. This is similar to a recruiting firm or headhunter model. We work with approximately 600 different franchises across 15 different franchise industries and are able to add new ones on an as-needed basis. Other entities involved in your due diligence process will obviously charge you fees if you use them, including lenders, lawyers and accountants.
If you start searching for franchises online, which we call going to the “franchise buffet,” you will be deluged with information from a variety of sources. You get the wrong information, from an unvetted source at the wrong time.
Sometimes, people select a franchise because it appears on a list of the best franchises or their friend said this is the best franchise or they were the genius who figured out that there needs to be an xyz franchise on that corner. That may be a reasonable way to select mutual funds for your 401(k) but these are all the wrong reasons to match to a franchise. The reason is because you are running that franchise, and you are unique.
The match is critically important. Our Coaches use a combination of science and experience to match you to franchise opportunities based on six factors: your why, your fears, current and desired lifestyle, skills and interests, geographic preferences and financial resources. Most veterans we work with end up choosing a business they never envisioned themselves in. Finding the right franchise is like getting a custom-made suit. Buying a suit off the rack won’t work.
To qualify for working with a franchise coach, you should meet the following criteria:
Credit Score: Maintain a credit score of 680 or higher.
Liquid Capital: Have at least $20,000 in liquid capital available for investment.
Net Worth: Possess a net worth of at least $50,000.
Timeline: Be prepared to open your franchise within the next 12 months.
Once you meet these qualifications, you’re ready to engage with a franchise coach. To kick-start the process, simply fill out the form provided here and schedule your discovery call.
For clarification:
We have partnerships with about 600 franchises. This enables our clients a choice of, on average, about 40 franchises in each of 15 different franchise industries.
A critically important part of the Vetrepreneur Franchise Coaching process is matching you with Franchises that align with you in our six key areas: your why, your fears, current and desired lifestyle, skills and interests, geographical preferences and financial resources. Our process ensures that you spend valuable time exploring franchises that are best suited for long term success and that you are guided and educated at every step along the journey. Conversely, shortchanging our process by going to a “franchise buffet” wastes everyone’s time and does a disservice to both the prospective franchisee as well as the franchisor.
Business ownership is not for everyone. In fact, it’s not for most people. Our goal is to enable you to decide if it is for you by walking you through a comprehensive, 10-step, 10-week process. You may exit the process at any point you are able to make that decision.
We do and it’s free just like coaching. We hold a live one hour Vetrepreneur Franchise Information Sessions twice a month, typically on the first and third Friday of each month. You must watch a live or recorded Information Session prior to scheduling a Discovery Call. You can sign up for the next workshop here.
In less than one hour at the Information Session, we’ll teach you Franchising 101, we’ll debunk the five myths of franchising, we’ll tell you why veterans are so well suited for franchising and we’ll finish with a Q&A session. At the conclusion, you’ll have the option of signing up for a Franchise Coach. And all of it, including the Franchise Coach, is free.
We look forward to seeing you at the Information Session!
Family or Friends Invest
Seek investment from family or friends, who may receive equity, interest, or even gift it to you.
Rollover for Business Start-up, or ROBS
Utilize funds from your retirement account (401(k), IRA, or TSP) to invest directly in your business. No interest is incurred as it’s your own money.
Home Equity Line of Credit or HELOC
If you’re a homeowner, leverage your property’s equity for financing, often with a speedy approval process.
SBA Loan
Consider an SBA loan, although approval can take up to eight weeks. These loans reduce bank risk by providing a low repayment guarantee.
Leasing Vehicles and Equipment
For franchises requiring vehicles or costly equipment, explore leasing options through manufacturers or other parties, often facilitated by your franchisor.
Unsecured Term Loan
This option requires good credit and income and carries higher interest rates due to its unsecured nature. Typically used for short-term working capital needs, it should be paid off quickly.
Remember, you can tap into these sources independently or rely on our coaches to connect you with franchise funding experts who can tailor a financing solution to your specific needs.
Selecting the right financing strategy for your business is a custom-fittted suit that depends on many factors including your personal financial situation, tax strategy, age, available options and many more.
Your Coach will evaluate your personal situation and recommend a strategy which will also be augmented by a free consultation with our CPA partner who will determine desired entity type, financing strategy and tax strategy. From there, we will connect you to specific providers who assist with application and closing of financing. Keep in mind that loan providers and others will obviously charge fees for their services.
We can refer credit repair specialists who have assisted clients to improve their credit score. You can also choose to use another owner in the business who may have better credit. This could be a spouse, parent or other investor or owner in the business. A consultation with a credit repair specialist usually reveals within a few days if you will be competitive for financing.
Absolutely, you can bring in a cosigner or partner(s) to join your venture. In fact, having multiple stakeholders who are deeply invested in the business’s success often increases the likelihood of achieving high levels of success. This can include groups of veterans, family members, cosigners, or any combination thereof. The best part is, you can all engage in discussions with your coach collectively, ensuring everyone is aligned and contributing to the business’s prosperity.
Our primary focus is in the U.S.
We educate and support you through the entire 10-week process from initial inquiry to franchise award. When you become a franchise owner, you become part of the franchise system.
Most franchise consultants are a one-man band with a wide variety of experience level and service consistency. By contrast, Vetrepreneur is a team of professionals dedicated to helping you find your best path to owning and operating your own business. You’ll have access your dedicated person Franchise Coach, client support team and franchise portal access with information and resources needed throughout your journey. We have connections to funding & loan experts, CPAs, accountants, credit repair specialists and legal specialists as needed along the way.
Franchise Coaches:
Sarah Brown
Judd Conatser
Tammy DeCoux
Chris Hale
Doug Hoerster
Brittany Mustybrook + Jeffrey Turner
Becoming a franchisee through the Vetrepreneur® Coaching Service gives you access to free Vetreprenur® content, discounted veteran hiring services through Military Friendly® Employer Membership, one year free full membership to Buy Veteran and eligibility to earn recognition through the local and national Vetrepreneur of the Year® and Franchise Vetrepreneur of the Year awards.
They’re looking for people who can execute their business plans in a local market. As a franchise owner, you have three primary jobs: 1. Lead your employees. 2. Manage the resources of the business. 3. Act as the face and voice of the business to customers and the community.
You don’t need to be all of those things. Few people are. But you must know your weak areas and surround yourself with others who can cover your blind spots. Specific skills and intangibles that franchisors seek include :
1. The ability to foollow a proven process.
2. Build, lead, manage and inspire teams.
3. Desire to serve your community.
4. Customer and relationship-focused.
5. Self-starter.
6. Grit and determination
7. Takes advantage of the support resources at the franchisor and fellow franchisee levels.
Sound like what was expected of you in the military?
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The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Vetrepreneur is a veteran-owned business and may receive referral fees from participating franchise partners which enables us to provide our services for free.