Your Franchise Advisors

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!

Our team is comprised of veterans and patriots and we know the unique advantages and challenges to franchising from the veterans’ perspective.

We’ve been working with veterans and franchising since the company was founded in 2001.  We created the National Veteran Owned Business Association in 2008 and maintain a close partnership with this venerable organization.  We created Vetrepreneur® magazine and its predecessor Veterans Business Journal in 2004. We advocated for the government to meet its service-disabled, veteran-owned small business goal.  We advocated for the passage of state laws mandating use of veterans in state contracts resulting in 28 additional states passing laws between 2006 and 2012.  We created the Buy Veteran movement in 2009 which encourages all Americans to buy products and services from veteran-owned businesses.  Finally, we created the Vetrepreneur of the Year® program in 2006.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

We’ve been working with veterans and franchising since the company was founded in 2001. We created the National Veteran Owned Business Association in 2008 and maintain a close partnership with this venerable organization.

We created Vetrepreneur® magazine and its predecessor Veterans Business Journal in 2004. We advocated for the government to meet its service-disabled, veteran-owned small business goal. We advocated for the passage of state laws mandating use of veterans in state contracts resulting in 28 additional states passing laws between 2006 and 2012.

We created the Buy Veteran movement in 2009 which encourages all Americans to buy products and services from veteran-owned businesses. Finally, we created the Vetrepreneur of the Year® program in 2006.