7 Best Franchise Opportunities for Veterans in 2024

Michael Nicholas / Franchising / November 25, 2022

If you’re a veteran looking for a business opportunity, franchising may be the perfect fit. Veterans have a unique set of skills and experiences that can be leveraged in a number of different ways. Many veterans have discovered that they possess the skills needed to make them excellent business owners. Meanwhile, franchisors also see the great potential in veterans as franchisees.

Franchises offer veterans unique benefits, including the chance to be their own boss, a built-in support system, and a proven business model. There are plenty of great franchise opportunities out there for veterans, but with so many options, it can be tough to know where to start. Here are some of the best franchises for veterans this year.

Why Veterans Make Great Franchise Owners

It’s no secret that veterans leave their military career with a variety of hard and soft skills that make them very sought after as employees. But those same skills make them ideal as business owners as well.

For former military personnel who would prefer to be their own boss, veteran-friendly franchises make complete sense as business opportunities. Even if a veteran opts for an industry they don’t have previous experience with, the skills they acquired through military service will help them excel. These are some examples of why veterans make great franchise owners.

Discipline

One of the most important qualities of a successful franchise owner is discipline. Veterans have been through rigorous training and know how to follow orders and stick to a schedule. This work ethic will come in handy when running a franchise, as there will be strict guidelines that need to be followed in order to be successful. Veterans’ ability to follow directions will serve them well as they work to grow their franchise businesses.

Perseverance

Veterans are no strangers to hard work. They have spent their careers working long hours and often in difficult or dangerous conditions but they’ve always managed to persevere. Veterans understand what it takes to get the job done and are willing to put in the extra effort required to make their franchise successful. In addition, military training instills mental toughness, which can be critical in overcoming the obstacles that often come along with business ownership.

Problem-Solving Skills

Many veterans find that their problem-solving skills are valuable assets as franchise owners. In the military, veterans learn to assess a situation and develop a plan of action quickly. Veterans have learned to be calm under pressure and to think critically about the best way to solve a problem. This ability to quickly identify and solve problems is essential for franchise owners.

Adaptable

Another essential quality for franchise owners is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Veterans are used to operating in ever-changing environments and are adept at quickly adapting to new situations. This flexibility will be invaluable as they navigate the ever-changing world of business ownership.

Organized

Veterans make great franchise owners thanks to their organizational skills. Veterans are often very detail-oriented and have a lot of experience managing complex projects. This attention to detail and ability to keep track of numerous moving parts can be invaluable in running a successful business.

Teamwork Experience

One of the key foundations of the military is teamwork. There is a strong focus on both verbal and non-verbal communication. Veterans are used to working as part of a team, as they often have to rely on their fellow soldiers in order to complete missions successfully. Franchises are all about teamwork as well. To be successful, franchise owners must collaborate with their employees, their franchisor, and other franchisees.

Leadership Skills

Many veterans have leadership experience, which is another important quality for a franchise owner. They know how to motivate people and how to get them to work together towards a common goal. This leadership experience will be essential as they work to build and manage their franchises.

The Best Veteran Franchises Offer Advantages for Veterans

It’s not just about what veterans can offer franchises, either. This relationship goes both ways, as veteran-friendly franchises also have advantages for former military personnel. Thanks to all the skills listed above, franchisors often actively seek vets to step into roles as franchise owners. They realized the endless advantages of hiring people with military experience. Veterans tend to learn systems quickly, execute operations properly, and lead their teams with success.

And it’s no secret! According to VetFran, 99 percent of franchisors think veterans are a good fit. This is across all industries! Because of this, the best veteran franchises offer discounts to those with a military background to encourage these strong candidates to consider a franchise with them. Some franchisors offer a percentage discount, others drop off a certain amount, and some even waive the fees entirely. Additional financing options may be available, with some franchising opportunities for veterans as well.

What Franchises Offer to Veterans

Franchises are like a big head start for any entrepreneur who wants to start their own business. By buying into a proven business model with brand recognition, you’re lowering the risk of failing and adopting efficient systems that have already been tested and tweaked. But there are some perks of franchises for veterans that are extra attractive to our nation’s vets.

Flexibility

Many former military members have spent months or even years away from their families at a time. Once they leave service, it’s important for them to make up for the lost time. Owning a franchise allows veterans to have the freedom to create their own schedules and organize plenty of time for the things that mean the most to them.

Some franchises even offer opportunities to work from home. This could be perfect for disabled vets or those with young children at home. With a home-based franchise, there’s no need for expensive office space or equipment. In many cases, all you need is a computer and a phone.

Training and Support

Another advantage of franchising for veterans is the training and support that is typically provided by the franchisor. Many franchisors offer comprehensive training programs that can help veterans learn everything they need to know about running their businesses. Additionally, most franchisors provide ongoing support to their franchisees, which can be extremely helpful for veterans new to business ownership.

This also opens up an array of industries that veterans may not have considered before. With complete training, franchisors give vets the option to open a business in an industry where they don’t have experience. Because of the skills they’ve learned through military service, they’ll be able to pick up the business’s practices and procedures quickly.

Access to Financing

Starting a franchise typically equates to lower start-up fees when compared to starting a company from scratch. But on top of that, many franchisors also offer financial assistance to veterans who are interested in starting a franchise. This can include things like reduced franchise fees or loans specifically for veteran-owned businesses.

Additionally, there are numerous government programs that offer financial assistance to veteran-owned businesses, such as the Veterans Advantage Program from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The Best Franchise Opportunities for Veterans

1. P3 Cost Analysts: Best for Business Consulting

  • Minimum cash required: $59,500
  • Work from home: Yes
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party
  • Veteran benefits: $5,000 off the initial franchise fee

P3 Cost Analysts is a cost reduction firm that is one of the best veteran franchise opportunities for a successful career in the business industry. If you enjoyed your military career because of the chance to help others, a cost reduction firm will allow you to continue using your skills in a similar way. You’ll be helping business owners reduce their spending and then increase their bottom line each and every day.

On top of all that, with P3, you’ll have access to ongoing training where you’ll learn all of your operational and consulting responsibilities. You have access to our team of expert auditors, so you don’t need a background in finance or accounting to succeed. P3 offers the option to work from home and a sizable discount for potential veteran franchisees.

2. Cinch I.T.: Best for Information Technology

  • Minimum cash required: $100,025
  • Work from home: Yes
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party
  • Veteran benefits: 50% off the initial franchise fee

While many veterans will come out of their career with a high level of I.T. knowledge, it’s not necessary to be successful at Cinch I.T. They have already seen veterans prove their ability with their capacity for leadership and processes. At Cinch, you’ll be responsible for hiring a team of technicians, so teamwork and leadership skills are essential. Your team will provide outsourced I.T. management for small and mid-sized businesses.

Cinch I.T. offers a 50 percent discount for veterans to make it easier to get started. They provide a thirty-day training to guide you through opening your business as well as ongoing support like weekly coaching and performance reviews. Their ongoing assistance and the upfront discount make it one of the best I.T. franchising opportunities for veterans.

3. Caring Senior Service: Best for Home Care

  • Minimum cash required: $150,000
  • Work from home: No
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party
  • Veteran benefits: 20% off the initial franchise fee

Caring Senior Service knows they’re one of the best franchises for veterans because of how well military experience can translate into home care. They also offer veterans a discount on franchise fees and ongoing support to help veterans thrive.

Caring has dominated the home care industry for the past three decades thanks to its proprietary technology, GreatCare method, flexibility, and support. With a Caring franchise, you’ll help seniors continue to live in the comfort of their own homes by providing at-home care, allowing them to retain their independence.

4. Grease Monkey: Best for Automotive Services

  • Minimum cash required: $187,316
  • Work from home: Part-time
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party
  • Veteran benefits: $10,000 off the initial franchise fee; 50% rebate on all royalty fees during the first year of operations, and a 25% rebate during the second year

Whether you left the military with experience repairing machinery or not, Grease Monkey is one of the best veteran franchise opportunities for those who have an interest in mechanics. In the end, you’ll hire a team of employees with mechanical experience, so leadership, honesty, and integrity are the core characteristics they’re looking for.

Grease Monkey offers multiple discounts for veterans plus ongoing support through preparation, marketing, training, and operations. They have a process to determine whether potential franchisees would make a good owner, enhancing your chances of success with the company.

5. 7-Eleven: Best for Convenience Stores

  • Minimum cash required: $50,000 – $150,000 (location dependent)
  • Work from home: Part-time
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Yes
  • Veteran benefits: Up to 20% off the initial franchise fee (savings up to a maximum of $50,000); special financing options

Not only is 7-Eleven one of the most well-known convenience store brands out there, but they have recognized the potential of veterans as franchise owners for a while. They offer vets a way to utilize the discipline, honor, and leadership skills they’ve fostered throughout their military career, making 7-Eleven one of the best franchising opportunities for veterans.

In addition to the special benefits they offer through their veteran program, they provide world-class marketing assets, ongoing training, and other innovative services.

6. Pillar to Post Home Inspectors: Best for Real Estate

  • Minimum cash required: $44,285
  • Work from home: Part-time
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Yes
  • Veteran benefits: 20% off the initial franchise fee

If you have a passion for real estate or home construction, Pillar to Post Home Inspectors is a perfect veteran-friendly franchise opportunity. Flexible scheduling allows you to create a workday that fits your individual needs. Plus, you’ll get to help home buyers through a very exciting yet stressful time of their lives.

There’s no experience necessary, either. Pillar to Post offers support and training to help you get your home inspection business off the ground. They also provide assistance in obtaining the funding you need.

7. Rita’s Italian Ice: Best for Food and Beverage

  • Minimum cash required: $194,863
  • Work from home: Part-time
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party
  • Veteran benefits: 50% off the initial franchise fee

Rita’s Ice franchises are a great way for former military personnel to give back to their communities in multiple ways. The franchisors have noticed that veterans make great franchise owners and, at the same time, help instill strong work ethic and leadership skills among the young employees who tend to work there. Plus, you get to offer delicious Italian ice!

Rita’s is the best franchise for veterans who want to leave a positive impact on their community and the people that work for them. Rita’s offers a significant discount on the franchise fee and ongoing support as you make your way through store opening to encourage veteran franchise owners.

Start a Veteran-Friendly Franchise Today

It’s no secret that veterans make excellent franchise owners. From their adaptability and organization to their leadership and problem-solving abilities, veterans typically have the soft skills needed to be successful as a franchisee. And franchisors have taken notice. Many franchisors offer veteran discounts to encourage them to invest, as well as offer the training and support necessary to learn the hard skills needed to run the business. It’s a win-win relationship for everyone involved.

If your goal with franchise ownership is to continue helping people, a franchise with P3 Cost Analysts makes sense. Your work will have real, meaningful effects on the businesses of others. Plus, we offer all the training and help you could possibly need along the way.

If you’re interested in starting a P3 Cost Analysts franchise, contact us today at 1-877-843-7579 or fill out the form on our franchising page, and we will answer any questions you have about the process and opportunity.

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