|
A national program called VetFran, short for “Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative” now lists three hundred franchise systems in a program to help America’s military veterans become small business owners. This week the International Franchise Association welcomed Schlotzsky’s Restaurant as the 300th franchise system to join the VetFran program. Since the voluntary effort was re-initiated following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, nearly 1,100 honorably-discharged veterans have acquired franchised small businesses using VetFran financial incentives offered by the IFA-member participating companies. Typically, incentives are discounts of the initial fee that lower the up-front cash necessary to obtain a franchise. “Franchise companies eagerly seek veterans as potential owners,” said IFA President and CEO Matthew Shay, head of the organization which represents more than 1,300 franchise systems. “Veterans understand the importance of teamwork and constant communication with headquarters. And, they know that training, can-do attitudes and mission focus are crucial to any operation. All these are key aspects of successful franchises.” Shay added that as a sector, franchising has significant economic impact in communities across the country. In a new economic-impact study, the franchising sector of the economy expanded by over 18 percent from 2001 to 2005, adding more than 140,000 new businesses and 1.2 million new jobs to the nation’s economy. Direct economic output of franchises grew by more than 40 percent to $880 billion in 2005 and output produced because of franchised businesses grew to more than $2.3 trillion in 2005.
Schlotzsky’s will reduce its initial $30,000 franchise fee to $20,000 for qualified veterans. Since 1971, Schlotzsky’s has been the home of “The Original” toasted sandwich; its menu has evolved with customers’ tastes to include the highest quality sandwiches, pizzas, wraps, paninis, salads and soups available today. With approximately 365 locations worldwide, Schlotzsky’s is a leading quick-casual choice for a healthful, fresh-dining experience and is owned by parent company FOCUS Brands Inc., the franchisor and operator of more than 2,200 ice cream stores, bakeries, restaurants and cafes in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 32 foreign countries under the brand names Carvel, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill and the franchisor of Seattle’s Best Coffee on military bases and in certain international markets. Details about Schlotzsky’s, Carvel, Cinnabon and Moe’s Southwest Grill and other VetFran participating companies can be viewed at www.franchise.org under “VetFran Directory.”
...
|