Putting vets to work as business franchisees goal of new program

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March 3, 2013

Putting vets to work as business franchisees goal of new program

Anonymous Weatherford Democrat The Weatherford Democrat Sun Mar 03, 2013, 07:59 AM CST

By JIM VINES

On Feb. 21, TD Bank, headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. and Portland, Maine, announced it joined with the International Franchise Association and a pilot group of franchises to help military veterans become franchise owners.

Franchises such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Domino’s Pizza, Baskin-Robbins and Papa Murphy’s will be able to offer through the Small Business Administration a streamlined loan application process, with a packaging fee waiver and lower interest rates from TD Bank for military veterans.

Thousands of military personnel will be re-entering the workforce in the coming years and TD Bank and IFA will be there to help the program increase the number of veterans that desire to become small business owners.

Possessing a military background with important skills and traits, offers the franchises and lenders qualified individuals that hope to achieve their business dreams. TD Bank knows that veterans are strong candidates for franchising and is excited about its relationship with military veterans.

TD Bank is the largest SBA lender and the seventh largest bank in the United States and offers competitively priced, government backed financing programs for small businesses with its Maine to Florida footprint. Their policy indicates they will recruit, hire, train and promote for all job classifications.

In addition, they will take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment, qualified veterans with disabilities, recently separated veterans, and/or other eligible veterans. Additional information may be found at www.veterans.jobs/td-bank/careers/.

For over 40 years, IFA has protected, enhanced, and promoted franchising worldwide. Their dedication to veterans helped develop VetFran, which includes more than 500 franchise systems available to veterans. Through the VetFran program more than 6,300 service men and women have become franchisees and more are being added every month. Go to www.vetfran.com for more information regarding veterans.

Over the years veterans have developed a proven track record in franchising because of their important skills and determination for success. Hire a veteran and/or active duty military personnel if you are trying to be successful and want to enhance your business reputation.

Speak to you again next week.

Jim Vines is commander of AmVets Post 133.