Waco, Texas-based The Dwyer Group, a holding company for seven residential and commercial franchise service brands, has announced it has awarded more than $1 million in discounts to military veterans who own a franchise through its VetFran program. Established after the Gulf War by the late Don Dwyer Sr., founder of The Dwyer Group, the VetFran program gives U.S. military veterans a discount toward the purchase of a franchise. The Dwyer Group reintroduced the program after 9/11 and has since helped 186 men and women own their own business across their franchise brands, which include Aire Serv, Glass Doctor, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric, Mr. Rooter, and Rainbow International.
Captain Jay B. Davis, of the U.S. Army, is the newest VetFran recipient to put The Dwyer Group past the $1-million milestone. Davis, who is on active duty, has partnered with his brother, Todd Davis, and sister-in-law, Bianca Davis, to open a Rainbow International franchise in Ogden, Utah.
"Don Dwyer truly had a million-dollar idea," says Dina Dwyer-Owens, chairwoman and CEO of The Dwyer Group. "Providing careers for veterans has been the best way to honor the men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces for the service they have given to our country. And my father would be very proud of the opportunities that have been created in our franchise family to help them transition to civilian life as business owners. "
Understanding veterans' abilities and training to follow a system, The Dwyer Group recognized traits that could adapt to following a franchise system as well.
After originating the program, The Dwyer Group received the endorsement of VetFran from the International Franchise Association (IFA) in Washington D.C., the world’s largest advocacy group for franchising as a business format. Today, the IFA is the official sponsor of VetFran and now includes more than 400 franchisors that offer a financial incentive to veterans who wish to own their own business. More than 1,500 veterans now own a franchise through the VetFran program.
The Dwyer Group has also expanded its resources to veterans through its Department of Veteran Entrepreneurship and the introduction of its complimentary Program for Assisting Veteran Entrepreneurship (P.A.V.E.) program. Unique to The Dwyer Group, P.A.V.E. offers educational and financial resources to veterans and transitioning military who want to invest in a franchise, providing the tools they need to make informed decisions towards business ownership.
"We have become a leader in aligning with transitioning military personnel and current veterans to help them achieve their dreams and goals by being in business for themselves, but not by themselves," says Dwyer-Owens.
