When the uniform comes off, the mission doesn’t end. Instead, it evolves. Transitioning out of the military and into civilian life has many challenges, not the least of which include seeking purpose, structure, and financial stability. Perhaps this is why so many veterans find the answers they seek in owning their own business. Business ownership, particularly with a quality franchise brand, offers the kind of autonomy and community that Veterans are often looking for. Enter Neighborly®, a company deeply committed to supporting Veteran entrepreneurship across its wide range of home service-based brands. In fact, Neighborly’s Director of Veteran Affairs and Military Veteran, Tommy Jones, has devoted this phase of his career to making franchising for Veterans more accessible with Neighborly brands. Influenced by his thought leadership, Neighborly has quickly become one of the top options for Veteran-owned businesses in the United States and beyond.
Let’s take a closer look at why Veterans make great franchise business owners, the benefits of Neighborly’s franchise model, and what Neighborly has to offer Veterans transitioning to civilian life.
Why Veterans Excel as Franchise Owners
In many ways, franchise systems mirror the structure and mission-driven framework of the military. For example, most Veterans excel at following established processes while leading teams to success. Perhaps this is why, according to VetFran.org, 1 in 7 franchise business owners are a Veteran!
Veterans also often leave military service with a host of transferable skills and strengths that can help them succeed in franchise business ownership. These include:
- Leadership and decision-making under pressure
- High risk tolerance
- Discipline and teachability
- Teamwork and mission-oriented mindset
- Integrity, accountability, and resilience
In short, Veterans bring an unmatched sense of purpose and teamwork to business ownership that makes them ideal franchise owners.
Why Franchising Should Be a Top Contender: The Benefits of Franchising as a Business Model
In critical ways, franchising offers a clear, supported path to business ownership for Veterans. One of the most important reasons for this is because franchising combines the security of a proven business model with the freedom of being your own boss. Think of it in terms of being in business for yourself, not by yourself!
Another key benefit of franchising is the built-in training and ongoing support that come with the business. Franchise owners receive comprehensive training and step-by-step guidance on all aspects of their business, from the business plan to launch to ongoing operations - and beyond. That kind of support just doesn’t exist in do-it-yourself startup situations.
Neighborly’s support system, in particular, offers unique supports like mentorship and Veteran-specific programs. In fact, franchising offers business owners a built-in network of peers who are willing to offer tips and guidance. This sense of community and shared purpose is often missing in other types of jobs, making transitioning out of the military that much harder. For this reason, Neighborly strives to be a home base for Veteran business owners.
Finally, business ownership for Veterans usually offers some unique financial resources and incentives that can make business ownership an easier reality. For example, the Small Business Administration has a Veteran Advantage program designed to help Veteran entrepreneurs start their own business. VetFran is another organization promoted by Neighborly that offers discounts and other incentives for Veterans looking to start their own franchise business. Finally, Neighborly offers some unique incentives of their own to Veterans. For example, Neighborly is one of the only franchise organizations in the world to have a Director of Veteran Affairs on staff. This role ensures that there is always a pulse on what’s most important to the Veteran communities we serve.
Tommy Jones is a 20-year Army veteran with a wealth of experience in business entrepreneurship. In a recent interview, he explained how personal his work with Neighborly has been, saying:
“After serving 20 years in the Army and retiring as a First Sergeant, one of the things that I really regret is that I didn't know all of the options that are available to me as I was transitioning out of the military.”
That search for options and purpose led Mr. Jones to his current position, where he works with Veteran entrepreneurs every day to build a career and a life filled with community and purpose.
“My goal here at Neighborly,” Jones explained, “is to really spend the time and energy to make sure that Veterans are educated to make the right decisions that's best for you.”
Real Success Stories: Veterans Thriving Across Neighborly Brands
Thanks in part to the focus and dedication of Tommy Jones and others at Neighborly, many Veterans have already found success in franchising. Perhaps most interesting, however, is that most of the Veteran franchise business owners had no prior experience in the home service industry before starting their Neighborly franchise.
Here are some of their stories.
Jim & Tina Cook
U.S. Army and Navy Veteran, Jim Cook, is the owner of The Grounds Guys® of Pflugerville and Cedar Park, Texas, alongside his wife Tina. After transitioning out of the military, Jim found it hard to find a job that offered him the kind of time he wanted for his family. Then he found Neighborly. Jim discovered that becoming a franchise business owner “offered [him] a huge opportunity to get back with [his] family.”
Ralph Ware
U.S. Army Veteran, owner of Real Property Management, Summit County, Ohio. When Ralph first transitioned out of the military, one of his biggest concerns was finding his “why.” Now, he will tell anyone who asks: “I believe that having the small business and starting within the franchise model allowed me the space to start to redefine what that purpose was.”
Gayle Patrick
U.S. Army Veteran, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard®, Hampton Roads, Virginia. Gayle discovered Neighborly was a good fit for Veterans through personal experience. In her view, franchising works so well because “the model is already established, so coming from the military, you’re accustomed to a playbook. So it makes it a lot easier if you’re able to follow the directions. You’re going to be successful.”
Each of the above stories highlights the qualities and values that Neighborly espouse, as well as those that make for successful franchise business ownership: leadership, service, teamwork, and purpose. These are the same values that define military service. As Tommy Jones has remarked: “As you move on and transition out of the military or wherever you are in that journey, we [at Neighborly] just want to make sure that we're setting you up for success and that you have all the options on the table that's best for you and your family.”
What You Can Expect: Resources and Support Systems for Veteran Franchise Owners
At Neighborly, Veterans are never alone on their journey to business ownership. The company’s dedicated Veteran Affairs team, led by Mr. Jones, ensures every Veteran franchise owner has the tools, training, and support needed to thrive.
Through Neighborly’s Veteran programs, owners gain access to one-on-one mentorship, peer networking events, and tailored business coaching designed to help them transition smoothly into successful franchise business ownership.
Beyond Neighborly’s internal network, Veterans can also tap into national resources like VetFran.org for exclusive franchise benefits, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest loans and technical training, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for ongoing transition and entrepreneurship assistance.
Every step of the way, Neighborly’s mission remains clear: to help Veterans find structure, purpose, and prosperity in their civilian lives. For those ready to take the leap, the Neighborly Franchising 101 page and Veteran Support page are great starting points. And for inspiration, check out the on-demand session, Proudly Serving: From Frontlines to Home Front, to hear more stories of real Veterans who’ve turned their years of military service into lasting business success.
Your Next Mission Starts Here
There’s little doubt that Veterans are uniquely equipped to succeed in franchising. That’s because the discipline, integrity, teamwork, and leadership needed to be a successful franchise business owner are qualities built into who they are. Franchising with Neighborly isn’t just about business ownership; it’s about finding purpose, freedom, and a new community that feels like home.
Download our Franchise Ownership Guide to take the first step to business ownership or take our Franchise Brand Quiz to learn more about the many exciting franchise opportunities that Neighborly has to offer!
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