VetFran Supports Franchise Business Ownership by Military Veterans
PARLIN, N.J. – The International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG) has become a member of VetFran, a program that educates veterans and franchisors about veterans’ exceptional capabilities as franchise owners.
VetFran aims to grow the number of franchise owners among military veterans. The program focuses on two activities: 1) urging franchisors to offer discounts and other incentives to veterans, and 2) providing information that helps veterans who are evaluating franchises.
Founded in 2012, IFPG’s franchise consulting organization comprises more than 1,500 franchise professionals — including many military veterans and VetFran members.
IFPG founder and CEO Don Daszkowski is thrilled to join VetFran. “I have great admiration for VetFran’s work and all the opportunities they create. Veterans deserve our gratitude for their service,” Daszkowski says, “and joining VetFran is one way for IFPG to show it.”
Daszkowski loves the mission of VetFran, which is to help military veterans own successful, thriving franchises. He has seen franchisors flourish with the addition of veteran entrepreneurs. “Franchisors always welcome veterans because they are proficient at team-building and following a system. They’re also resourceful and resilient,” he said.
IFPG franchise consultant Ralph Yarusso, chairman of the IFA Foundation’s VetFran committee, gives a firsthand testimonial to the program’s effectiveness. “My involvement with VetFran spans more than 20 years – actually, even longer, as I was able to buy my first franchise using my veteran status for a discount.
“IFPG embraces both veteran candidates as franchisees and the franchisors that offer significant savings to veterans who want to own businesses,” says Yarusso, who is an Air Force veteran.
He praises 32-year-old VetFran for creating “paths for veterans to entrepreneurship by leveraging franchisors, suppliers and vendor participation to make it happen. Franchisors love veterans because, simply put, they make good franchisees. Veterans make up 14% of all American franchise ownership, which is interesting since they only represent about 7% of the U.S. population.”
VetFran is an initiative of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and its nonprofit IFA Foundation.
ABOUT IFPG
The International Franchise Professionals Group is a membership-based organization with more than 1,500 franchisors, franchise consultants and vendor members. Together, IFPG members guide aspiring business owners through the process of identifying and investing in franchise businesses. IFPG has been continuously ranked as the No. 1 franchise broker organization on Entrepreneur's prestigious list of top franchise suppliers and as a top franchise employer by Franchise Business Review. IFPG’s purpose-driven mission is based on integrity, ethics and collaboration. For more information, visit www.ifpg.org.