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A new campaign of the IFA, “Operation Enduring Opportunity”, is the franchise industry’s response for President Obama’s call to the private sector to offer returning soldiers business opportunities. This initiative will be implemented through the IFA’s VetFran program which has helped thousands of veterans become franchisees. For its part, Anago Cleaning Systems of Pompano Beach, Fla., is offering huge franchise discounts for honorably discharged veterans. The IFA also supports a move in Congress to pass the Help Veterans Own Franchises Act, introduced in September, Entrepreneur.com reports.

The IFA says its new campaign, dubbed “Operation Enduring Opportunity,” is in response to President Barack Obama’s call to the private sector to offer opportunities to veterans, who now face high unemployment.

The latest efforts will be run through the IFA’s VetFran program, which for years has offered vets incentives and training to become franchisees.

VetFran, made up of more than 400 IFA franchisors, says it has helped more than 2,100 veterans become franchisees since 1991. Census data and other research indicate that veterans own one of every seven franchise businesses, and that more than 66,000 veteran-owned franchises employ 815,000 people.

On its site, VetFran draws connections between the armed forces and franchises. “Vets come back with strong leadership skills and a through understanding of teams,” it says. “Franchises are run on systems, just like the military.”

In addition, the VetFran site notes, franchises offer support, providing a chance for veterans to feel connected again through a franchise “family.”

Anago Cleaning Systems of Pompano Beach, Fla., also announced this week a program to offer franchise discounts for honorably discharged veterans, via VetFran’s new campaign. The company says it will provide four veterans the ability to purchase a master franchise for $9,300, when the fees for those territories usually start at $35,000.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are pushing legislation to help vets become franchise business owners. The Help Veterans Own Franchises Act, introduced in September by Sen. Robert Casey Jr., D-Pa., and Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Il., would offer a tax credit for 25% of fees that veterans pay to purchase a franchise.

The IFA supports the measure. In a statement, Steve Caldeira, the trade group’s CEO and president, has said: “We look forward to working with the administration to ensure opportunities for veterans to own their own franchise small business.”

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