Key Takeaways
- Veterans are a major force in franchise ownership, owning 1.6 million businesses nationwide (Census Bureau) and making up 14% of franchise owners (IFA).
- Military skills like discipline, adaptability, and team-building translate directly to franchise leadership, as seen in Cory Boxall’s path from the Marine Corps to multi-unit TeamLogic IT ownership.
- Franchising’s built-in systems and support make it a natural fit for veterans transitioning to civilian careers, as with Brian Franks, who moved from Army fueler to Z PLUMBERZ owner.
- From IFA’s VetFran to Thunderly’s “American Dreamers” campaign, veteran franchise owners are getting the support and recognition their entrepreneurial impact deserves.
The Leadership Skills Veteran Entrepreneurs Bring To Franchise Ownership
The skills built through military service don’t just disappear when a service member’s career does. Leadership, discipline, teamwork, and commitment remain a driving force in how veterans approach new challenges, including business ownership.
In fact, recent U.S. Census Bureau data shows veterans owned 1.6 million businesses across the country, many of them turning to franchising as their next chapter after service.
Across the franchise world, veteran entrepreneurs are showing how the same skills that helped them serve their country can now help them build, lead, and grow their own businesses and serve their communities.
For that reason, this month, as part of our year-long “American Dreamers: The Stories of Franchising,”© we’re highlighting the stories of military veterans-turned-franchise owners Cory Boxall of TeamLogic IT and, later this month, Brian Franks of Z PLUMBERZ.
Why Veterans Continue To Find Opportunity In Franchising
Franchising provides a unique path for people with different backgrounds to explore business ownership through established systems, proven processes, and ongoing support. For many veterans, that structure creates an opportunity to apply the skills they’ve spent years developing while stepping into a new role as a franchisee.
In fact, according to the International Franchise Association (IFA), veterans make up 14% of franchise owners nationwide, highlighting the strong connection between military experience and entrepreneurship.
The ability to lead a team, follow a proven plan, communicate clearly, and adapt when challenges arise are all qualities that can make a difference when taking on a new venture. When those skills are combined with the right franchise system, veteran entrepreneurs can turn years of service and experience into a business built around their strengths.
The connection between veterans and franchising has deep roots. Back in 1991, Don Dwyer, founder of The Dwyer Group, now Neighborly, recognized the leadership, discipline, and problem-solving skills veterans bring to business ownership. After the Gulf War, he launched the VetFran program to help returning service members explore franchise ownership by offering discounted franchise costs and support as they transitioned into civilian careers.
Following its creation, VetFran expanded through the International Franchise Association into a nationwide initiative designed to support veterans interested in franchise ownership through resources, incentives, and education. Today, VetFran continues to highlight the strong alignment between military experience and franchising, helping former service members bring the skills developed through their careers into the exciting world of entrepreneurship.
Building A Team Through Leadership And Trust
Every franchise owner brings a different story to ownership, and Cory and Brian show how experiences from one career can shape the way someone approaches another. Before becoming franchise owners, both spent years developing skills through military service that continue to influence how they operate, make decisions, and support the people around them. Their journeys reflect the path many veteran entrepreneurs take as they apply the lessons learned throughout their careers to franchise ownership.
Cory’s background in the Marine Corps and United States Diplomatic Security Service comes through in the way he leads his multiple TeamLogic IT franchises today.
“In the Marine Corps, we’re hands-on,” he says. “We like to do a lot of things ourselves. And the biggest difficulty for me personally was, after you start bringing your team on, stepping a little bit away and giving that opportunity to your employees.”
For Cory, multi-unit franchise ownership has become another opportunity to put his leadership experience into action, building TeamLogic IT locations that reflect the values and standards he’s carried throughout his career.
As Cory puts it, “When you own your own company, you set the standards that you want, and hopefully, as you lead by example, you can have an organization that takes on your persona.”
Turning Military Experience Into Problem-Solving Skills
Brian’s journey into franchise ownership was shaped by the problem-solving and adaptability he developed during his time in the Army. Before becoming a Z PLUMBERZ franchise owner, Brian served as a fueler, a role that provided experience closely connected to the industry he entered after service.
He credits his military background with helping him approach challenges with persistence and resourcefulness.
“In the military, we did a lot of problem-solving,” he says. “We know how to adapt over adversity. When I find myself not knowing something, I know my resources. I know not to give up and continue finding the right avenue.”
Together, Cory and Brian show how veteran entrepreneurs can bring the experiences that shaped their careers into the way they operate their businesses today. From developing their teams to finding solutions through challenges, their stories demonstrate how the skills and perspective gained throughout their careers carry lasting value long after their time in service.
Celebrating The American Dreamers Behind Franchise Ownership
The stories of Cory and Brian are a reminder that the American Dream can take many different paths.
Through the “American Dreamers” campaign, we are highlighting the franchise owners who are turning their past experiences, ambitions, and determination into opportunities that create lasting impact for themselves, their families, and their communities. Each story offers a closer look at the people behind the brands and the journeys that brought them to ownership.
At Thunderly, we get to witness the dedication and drive of franchise owners every day, and stories like Cory’s and Brian’s are a powerful reminder of what happens when experience meets opportunity.
For over 25 years, we’ve worked alongside the people building their own version of the American Dream through franchising. Now, the “American Dreamers” campaign is spending a full year sharing those stories, with new ones featured every month.
Behind every franchise brand are owners whose stories remind us why people choose the path of business ownership. Those are the stories that deserve to be seen, and the ones we’re committed to bringing to life.
Your franchise owners are your greatest storytellers, and we can help you amplify the stories that inspire future owners and strengthen your brand. Learn more here.
