Best Franchises for Military Veterans

If you are a veteran interested in starting your own business, franchising can offer a proven way to earn income as an entrepreneur, while harnessing transferable military skills, enjoying built-in support networks, and accessing veteran-specific funding programs.

Not to mention, joining a franchise, is a popular choice if you’ve served your country–1 in 7 nationwide franchise owners are former military personnel, according to the International Franchise Association, illustrating the strong connection between military experience and franchise success.

Why Franchises Appeal to Veterans

Military veterans leave the armed forces equipped with valuable, transferable skills, such as working under pressure, learning new skills in a short timeframe, and being able to carefully follow detailed instructions–all of which can align with owning a franchise.

Veteran interest in franchising isn’t new. Carvel, the country’s first ice cream franchise, was started by WWII veteran Tom Carvel in 1934. Many other well-known franchises were founded by veterans and continue to support the military community, including Sport Clips, RE/MAX, and Insulation Commandos. Today, former military members and franchise operations are a common combination, and this trend is poised to grow.

“IFA’s VetFran identified that an impressive 14 percent of franchise owners in the United States are veterans with numbers trending upward, as 65 percent of franchisors noted their overall number of veteran hires has increased in recent years — and for good reason,” stated Dan Mock, vice president of operations for Mister Sparky, Authority Brands, in an IFA statement.

“Franchising offers a nearly seamless opportunity for veterans to return to civilian life with flexible, profitable franchising opportunities, and the skills vets learn in the service also create tough, tenacious and successful business leaders,” he added.

Numerous veteran-specific nonprofits and organizations provide free mentoring, training, and, in some cases, financial assistance to veterans, military members and their spouses, to support this growth in franchise operations led by those who have served in the armed forces.

Top Veteran Franchise Opportunities

According to VetFran, a program of the International Franchise Association, more than 650 military-friendly brands actively recruit former service members as owners, citing leadership, discipline and operational skills developed through military service as key advantages.

Last year, three franchise industries stood out in 2025–77% of veterans who completed its franchise coaching program chose one of the top three industries.

• 34% opened a home services franchise
• 26% went into a business service franchise
• 17% opened a senior care franchise.

*According to Vetrepreneur data.

Along with popular franchise sectors, several brands have a solid history and offer franchise financing opportunities to attract veterans and military families.

For example, Dream Vacations has built a large network of veteran and military-affiliated owners—nearly 35% of its system—supported by incentives such as discounted franchise fees and waived monthly fees during the first year.

Veterans interested in animal care may consider Woolfie’s, a pet-care franchise offering mobile grooming, pet sitting, and dog-walking services. Military veterans can receive reduced franchise fees along with additional service discounts.

Fast food and quick-service restaurant franchises

Quick-service restaurants are also among the most popular veteran franchise opportunities due to strong brand recognition and highly structured systems—key advantages for veterans exploring how to open a restaurant.

One standout example is PJ’s Coffee, which has built a reputation for supporting veteran entrepreneurs and annually gives away a $40,000 valued free franchising license to a veteran. U.S. Veterans magazine ranked Dunkin’ third on its Top 10 Franchises for Veterans in 2025 list, citing the company’s 20% franchise fee discount for veterans.

Service and home-based franchises

Neighborly, the world’s largest home services franchise, reports having over 425 veteran owners across its brands, and these types of businesses are among the fastest-growing veteran-owned franchise opportunities. This is due in part to lower start-up costs and steady consumer demand for these services–such as pool and home maintenance, HVAC and electrical, pest control, and other services homeowners are willing to pay for repeatedly.

Home-based franchises, such as payroll, tutoring, education, and operational support, are a growing field and could also be good choices for disabled veterans or anyone with mobility issues who prefer a small setup and home-based work. There is also a growing interest in franchises that target technology and may directly lend themselves to skills acquired in the military.

For example, last September, Connecticut-based drone manufacturer, Aquiline Drones Corporation, announced a new strategic partnership with Ryder System, Inc., and Vets to Drones–in order to create and provide a discounted drone franchise program only available to veterans interested in drone technology.

“This partnership offers veterans more than just a career path; it presents the opportunity for ownership in a rapidly growing sector crucial to U.S. defense and economic competitiveness,” stated Chris Lewis, founder and CEO of Vets to Drones, during the announcement.

Senior Care franchise opportunities grow

Individuals age 65 and older will make up over a quarter of the total population by 2060, and senior care is positioned for growth in the franchise market. As more older adults live longer and want to age in place with support, there are opportunities for veterans to give back to their communities through a franchise model.

Home Instead is one of many senior care-centric franchises offering a 20% discount on the initial franchise fee for military members and veterans. In addition, Visiting Angels and A Place At Home offer a 10% discount to veterans who are interested in opening a senior care franchise.

Franchises for disabled veterans

As of 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, veterans with service-related disabilities make up 30% of veterans–more than double the percentage in 2008. No current figures exist for service-disabled veteran franchise owners, but data show that 14.9 percent of small business owners nationwide are service disabled.

Self-employment can be a strong option over jobs without an accommodating work environment. Because there are so many franchise options and brands that support veterans, operating a franchise can allow disabled service men and women a path to entrepreneurship that isn’t hindered by a disability.

A good starting point is the VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program, which works with the SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development to support veterans with disabilities. And training programs exist specifically to support disabled veterans in launching their own businesses, specifically the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV), which offers free business training at universities.

Costs and Financing for Veterans

Each franchise has its own start-up costs, and many offer discounts to veterans–some of them upward of a 50% off franchise licensing fees, others offer less.

Franchise Direct reports the start-up costs for a franchise are vast–and can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 range, but many are much lower, for example, the commercial cleaning franchise, 360 Clean, only requires $15,000 minimum investment.

Veteran-specific loans and grants can be an entry point into owning your own business, and may be offered by your local credit union or bank. In addition, check the SBA Franchise Directory, which contains all franchises and other brands eligible for SBA financial assistance.

In addition, nonprofits can help. For example, Warrior Rising, which helps veterans launch and scale businesses through education, mentorship and access to capital.

Veteran franchise support programs

• Franchisor incentives: Many brands offer discounted franchise fees (ranging from 10-50%) and financial assistance for veterans’ franchise opportunities.
• VetFran program: Run by the International Franchise Association, this initiative connects veterans with franchise brands offering exclusive incentives.
• SBA Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC): SBA Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC) offer free business counseling, training, and mentorship to veterans who are starting or growing their businesses.
• Warrior Rising: Warrior Rising focuses on helping Veterans launch and scale their businesses through education, mentorship, and access to capital. They also offer special programming tailored for disabled veterans.
• The Rosie Network: The Rosie Network works with veterans and military spouses, offering business training, mentorship and networking opportunities that can translate into franchise opportunities.

How to Choose the Right Opportunity

Whether you’re a veteran or not, there are many things to consider before investing in a franchise, including how much training and support you will need, startup costs, your location and lifestyle compatibility. There are many veteran-friendly franchise opportunities; you just have to find the right fit.

For example, a home-based or mobile business may cost less than having to run a brick-and-mortar building – overhead costs can be higher if you own a food service business versus a micro-franchise.

If you don’t have a specific career path in mind, comparing the different franchise models can be useful, as can utilizing free mentoring or coaching services designed to help veterans and military members.

Talking to veterans who have successfully opened a franchise or veteran founders is a good first step, suggested franchise owners. “An often unspoken veteran bond is the ability to spot a fellow vet anywhere — we know them when we see them. The bond of having served links us together, so veterans who are new franchise owners feel more comfortable asking questions and looking for insight and advice,” stated Mock.

Published by Maya Dollarhide