Franchise veteran program aids FASTSIGNS franchisee

With assistance from a national program designed to support veterans, one St George man was able to start a new business despite the region’s ongoing struggle with economic instability.

 

Army veteran Kelly Harward, who started a franchise of FASTSIGNS in Washington City, said the process of forming a small business was made simple and affordable thanks to the International Franchise Association’s VetFran program.

 

Receiving a $12,000 discount on the company’s initial fee, the 41 year old veteran said the fee reduction played a vital role in his effort to open the sign shop. Without the sizable discount, it would have been difficult for Harward to afford the fees associated with obtaining a franchise.

 

“It’s hard for people to get funding to open a new business now,” he said. “Every little but helps.”

 

In 1993, the International Franchise Association formed the VetFran programme in effort to assist honourably discharged veterans returning from the Gulf War. While the program began slowly in the early 1990’s, it has since exploded in popularity, with approximately 400 companies participating and nearly 2000 veterans receiving substantial discounts for starting new franchises.

 

“I think it’s a great way to show our support as a nation,” said John Reynolds, President of the IFA Educational Foundation. “If it wasn’t for them (veterans) a lot of us probably wouldn’t be here”.