Returning Veterans
How could our military men or women, after being asked to go back to Iraq or Afghanistan several times, (for multiple tours of duty) possibly have any money to invest in a franchise business…heck, any business?
Some people obviously think they do.
Most Returning Military Veterans Don’t Have a Lot of Money
If you read some of the publications that I do, you’d think that there was a secret club-located in a hidden bunker, where thousands of wealthy 22-year old Army Veterans were hanging out-discussing their next entrepreneurial moves.
I’m not sure why this is, but lobbyists from The International Franchise Association in Washington DC are spending an awful lot of time, energy, and money on several new “Veterans Franchise Initiatives. ”
From Franchise.org;
“The International Franchise Association today praised Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for introducing bipartisan jobs legislation, the American Growth, Recovery, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Act, or AGREE Act, to provide tax relief to franchise small businesses and tax credits to returning veterans to purchase franchise businesses. ”
That’s certainly positive. Except for…
The Money Part
Tax credits? Really?
Those will really help. It’s kind of like seeing this hypothetical advertisement, for a brand new Ferrari;
2012 Ferrari 458
$10,000 Rebate!
No Money Down Lease!
Only$3855.00 a month
WOW! You can lease a brand new Ferrari, with zero down? And get a check for $10,000?
Amazing!
Except that your lease payment is $3,855 every month.
All of a sudden, that $10,000 rebate isn’t really that important, because you can’t get that car. Actually, you never could. But the marketing team at Ferrari almost got you.
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Let’s pretend for a moment that that I’m a Marine who’s just returned from my 4th tour of duty in Iraq. I have a wife, and 2 young children. My wife’s been working as much as possible. She’s been able to hold onto the house, and put food on the table. That’s about it. My mother-in-law has been doing a lot of babysitting, (so we can save money on daycare) and my father-in-law has been able to help my wife with stuff around the house—repairs, etc.
Before we bought our house, we lived on the base. I didn’t make much money, so we don’t have a lot saved. It’s going to be pretty tight until I find a job.
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The Money Again
I love working with Veterans. I’ve been able to help a few get into business. Very few. I would be able to help a lot more of them learn how to choose and research franchises if it wasn’t for one little thing;
Again, Most Most Returning Military Veterans Don’t Have a Lot of Money.
Franchise buyers should have a minimum net worth of $300,000 before they even sit down at a computer and start looking for that perfect franchise. $300,000! In addition, they should have the ability to write a check for around $50,000…of their own money. The rest can come from a small business loan.
If you’re a Veteran, I’m not trying to freak you out here. It’s just that I’m into reality; not fantasy. And, if you’re a returning Veteran, you may not know this, but most US banks have been very uncooperative with franchise buyers. Franchise buyers with decent financials and good credit. So unless the powers that be over at The International Franchise Association happen to have some secret power….I’m talking about the kind of power that can change the hearts and minds of every $750,000 a year bank executive who refuses to loan money to people that want to start franchises, than you’re going to need a hell of a lot more than tax credits to go into business.
Some franchisors are discounting their franchise fees for Veterans, as part of the VetFran program. That’s a great thing, and I support discounts for Veterans. But unless Veterans who are interested in buying franchises can get loans, most of them will never become franchise owners. Never.
Stop Blowing Smoke
Franchise industry professionals know that most of our returning Military Veterans don’t have nearly enough money to invest in most start-up franchises. There will be some exceptions, and there are certainly a plethora of low-investment franchises that are available. But for the most part, investing in a franchise with a total start-up cost of $200,000 will be out of reach for just about every Veteran that’s returning home from overseas.
Our Military Veterans have seen enough smoke for a lifetime.
They don’t need to have any more blown up their…..
Don't Go Yet!
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Thank you for writing this. It’s the elephant in the middle of the living room that no one mentions. These are baffling initiatives, since there is no real money behind them to actually help veterans get into franchising. What is the end game? (Besides giving the IFA an excuse to pat itself on the back for being “patriotic” without them really doing anything that gets any veteran into a franchise business.) Not trying to be cynical, but I am truly confused at what is being accomplished. Are we missing something?
I don’t think the lobbyists need any more money. How about the IFA instead puts all the lobbying $$ into an grant pool to 100% capitalize the franchise aspirations of worthy veterans???? That would be patriotic.
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for stopping by. Sometimes, I feel as though no one is listening.
1. You’re correct in asking what the end game is.
2. Great idea! C’mon IFA; put your money- LOTS of it available, into a finance pool for our Military men and women who need to have a shot at getting into business!
Again, thank you for your thoughtful and important comment here.
JL
Hi…
Okay, you peaked my interest. (Kind of)
Why is my information inaccurate?
JL
It hurts, the truth that is. I am trying to purchase a franchise after a 20 year af career and five more at the va. Every turn someone new drives a stake in the heart of a dream (fantasy). It’s a joke the ads and propaganda that there is help for veterans to own a franchise. Lots of smoke about getting vets involved in their community but unless you like hearing no, a lot don’t bother. I just need the loan ill pay it back as quick as possible I pay my way always have. The joke one company knocks of ten grand of a 550k thousand fee, yeah! Do you really think an enlisted guy racked up a half a million along the way, freaking comical. Not whining taxpayers bailed banks out and then act we are demanding their first born when requesting a loan. The franchiser acts like hey we are going out on a limb, hell my dreams are free falling off a cliff. Reality a retired O5 and up can afford a franchise fee maybe an E9. The kids coming back are in even worse shape. Four years in getting paid at the poverty line. If they have kids they existed at the poverty line and qualified for food stamps. But no worries they got that 500k in loose change! Tired of hearing no. Now someone explain how I qualify for a 410k va home loan but can’t get 140k business loan? Comical isn’t it? I’ll keep trying, not the smartest guy here I feel like balancing the budget would be easier. Thanks for reading!!
Quinn,
I understand–but don’t “really” know your struggles.
I’m sorry; I wish I could help.
I’ll keep writing and sharing my feelings. I hope the folks that can make a difference will step up, somehow.
Joel