Editor’s Note: This article was kindly shared with us by Larry Amos, president of Doody Calls. Larry has over 20 years of executive leadership experience in team development, franchise territory growth, marketing, and operations. In his current role, Larry assists franchise owners in growing their businesses, identifies market opportunities for expansion, and acts as a visionary for the organization. Learn more about Doody Calls right here.
When returning from active service or retiring from the military, many United States veterans need to find work upon returning to civilian life. During a difficult transition time, finding work and thinking of the next step in their career can be as simple as finding the right franchise opportunity. Veterans currently make up about 14% of franchise owners in the United States, and that number is growing, commonly due to their team-building skills, ability to remain calm under pressure and think on their feet.
From the line of duty to the call of “doody,” military veterans often have a unique skill set that gives them a high level of adaptability as entrepreneurs – making veterans a perfect fit for franchising. One brand that helps veterans adjust? DoodyCalls, a leader in pet waste management that is working to empower veterans as they adjust to civilian life and supporting them through business endeavors and potential long-term growth in their businesses.
4 Reasons Franchising Is a Great Fit for Veterans
Below are just a few reasons why franchising is a great fit for veterans – and why they may want to consider answering the call of Doody.
#1: Structure and Support
Franchising offers returning veterans an opportunity to explore new business paths with the supportive backing of a franchisor team who can provide insight and training on marketing, operational processes, and revenue-building. There is also access to a network of potential mentors with an overall sense of community and camaraderie often found in the military as franchise owners are often encouraged to communicate with other owners to ask questions, find resources, and bounce new ideas off one another.
Once in the field and scooping, new owners with DoodyCalls can choose to work solo or employ a larger team – depending on their level of comfort and drive for expansion within their market and the size of their customer base – which can help veterans find a solution that is most comfortable for them. The amount of teamwork is flexible and can be tailored to each franchise owner’s unique personality, but there is always backing and support.
#2: Purpose and Service-Driven Work
For the right person, franchise ownership can be about so much more than just the surface-level industry of the business. Owning a franchise gives you the chance to build interpersonal connections, support your community, and even build a network that elevates causes you care about. For instance, consider the example of DoodyCalls.
Pet waste management is about more than scooping doody – it is also about customer service and community health. Every DoodyCalls owner has the power to create real human connections with pet-loving neighbors in their own communities by fulfilling a need. Pet waste management also helps create a safer, healthier community overall, as pet waste can cause bacterial growth and contribute to the spread of many viruses.
Since so many veterans have a people-first mentality and a dedication to serve others, DoodyCalls is a great way to serve single households and the overall community in which owners live and hone those customer service skills in order to create customer retention over time.
#3: Experience and Flexibility
One of the biggest draws to franchising for veterans is the fact that you don’t need much prior experience in the industry to get started. After years or decades spent on deployment or in the service, many veterans need an option to join a new field where they can utilize their skills sets and employ key skills they developed in the service like dedication to teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and discipline.
The flexible business model behind most franchise concepts also allows for a smoother transition into civilian life, as franchise owners can strike a more balanced work/life relationship. Those in the Army Reserves can also create flexible schedules and have a team of employees behind them to fill in the gaps when they need to return to service.
The transition can also be fast when needed – and when appropriate. For example, returning veterans looking to make their next move as soon as possible might consider an option like DoodyCalls. The average DoodyCalls franchise owner can go from meeting the franchise development team to attending a Discovery Day in less than 90 days.
#4: Veteran-Specific Programs
Many franchise options offer veteran discounts and vet-specific programs in order to help these heroes seamlessly re-enter the civilian workforce, especially since funds may be scarcer as they return to civilian life. Franchising is a tool for economic empowerment for veterans and can help them secure financial stability for themselves and their families without massive up-front costs.
DoodyCalls, for instance, offers a discounted franchise fee for veterans in order to reduce the initial financial burden and make ownership more accessible to a variety of vets who may be working with more limited resources post-service or deployments. (To qualify for the Veterans Discount, the franchised business must be at least 51% owned by a veteran who is also designated as the Key Person in the Franchise Agreement and otherwise meets requirements to purchase a Franchised Business.)
Franchising offers a way for entrepreneurial-minded veterans to pursue their passions or find niche industries they may have never considered. The team at DoodyCalls, and the overall Authority Brands family, is so honored to offer our country’s veterans a way to re-join the civilian workforce in a way that feels comfortable and most beneficial to them. We are constantly innovating new ways to meet the needs of each of our franchise owners and helping our DoodyCalls locations to achieve as much growth as possible. The future of franchising is infinite, and veterans will continue to be a vital part of the ownership system.
Considering the Call of “Doody”?
DoodyCalls proudly scoops over 10 million poops every year and is the leading provider of pooper scooper services in the country with decades of franchising experience behind the brand and more than 50 franchise owners across the United States. The brand offers services including residential dog waste removal, yard deodorizing services, community pet waste removal, and commercial pet waste station installation & management.
DoodyCalls is one of the many franchise brands that support veterans and offers veteran-specific benefits and incentives. In the broad world of franchising, there are thousands of brands in the U.S. alone – so it is important to explore your options and conduct thorough research as you consider becoming a franchise owner.
This process might feel overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be! Finding the perfect franchise for YOU starts with partnering with FranCoach.
How Can FranCoach Help Veterans?
FranCoach is a national search firm dedicated to working with individuals who are interested in owning a franchise. We have partnered with over 600 of the top franchisors in the country, spanning nearly 70 industries.
When we work with clients, our number one goal is to help them find the absolute best franchise for them to own. If you are looking to start a business, build a lasting legacy, make an impact in your community, and be your own boss, franchise ownership might just be the ideal path for you.
Reach out to us to learn more about becoming a franchise owner. There is never any fee for our service, so why not take the first step today toward your better tomorrow?
Find out if you’re ready for franchise ownership with this five-minute assessment quiz.
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