PAVEing the Way for Veterans to Own Businesses

By: Glass Doctor | 1,014 Shares 155 Reads

March 26, 2008 // Franchising.com // WACO, Texas – To thank transitioning military personnel and current veterans for their service Glass Doctor® and The Dwyer Group, Inc., have initiated a new program to assist them in building their own businesses.

The Program for Assisting Veteran Entrepreneurship (PAVE) offers veterans and their families an opportunity to put the practical management skills they developed in the military to use in civilian life. PAVE is open to all veterans who have been honorably discharged by a DD214 or similar documentation. The program offers veterans:

A 25% discount on the purchase of an initial base franchise territory for Glass Doctor® or one of the other five franchise companies in The Dwyer Group: Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning®, Mr. Appliance®, Mr. Electric®, Mr. Rooter®, and Rainbow International Restoration and Cleaning®.
Individual support from a director of military franchise development to guide the first phase of the franchising process.
Partial company financing for qualified individuals.
Future franchise resale opportunities.
Additional discounts with preferred vendors to help reduce daily operating costs.

After the First Gulf War in 1994, Don Dwyer, Sr., started the International Franchise Association (IFA) VetFran program to offer veterans discounts on franchise territory purchases. PAVE builds on VetFran by adding individual coaching through the purchase process, which can be challenging to navigate alone.

"We are excited to build on the program my father created because we see the potential in our military personnel returning from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world where they have served unselfishly," said Dina Dwyer-Owens, Chairwoman of The Dwyer Group.

"We are looking for people who want to take charge of their own destiny, want to be in business for themselves, and want to capitalize on their military experience. They have worked so hard to protect the American dream, now we want the help them live the American dream."

Last year more than 20 veterans started their own businesses through the VetFran program at The Dwyer Group, and the company expects to exceed that number this year.

For more information about PAVE contact Director of Military Development Chris Loudermilk at 1-800-396-6151 or chris.loudermilk@dwyergroup.com. Learn more about The Dwyer Group at www.leadingtheserviceindustry.com.

About The Dwyer Group, Inc.:

Based in Waco, Texas, The Dwyer Group, Inc. is a holding company of six service-based franchise companies – Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning®, Glass Doctor®, Mr. Appliance®, Mr. Electric®, Mr. Rooter®, and Rainbow International Restoration and Cleaning®. The franchise network of The Dwyer Group, Inc. consists of more than 1,400 independently owned and operated franchises. Each company provides high-quality residential and light commercial services to customers worldwide. The Dwyer Group, Inc. is a portfolio company of the Riverside Company. For more information, visit www.dwyergroup.com.

About Glass Doctor®:

Established in 1962, Glass Doctor® is the largest chain of full-service glass replacement providers in the nation. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its Franchise 500, Glass Doctor franchise owners offer complete glass replacement, service and repairs to the automotive, residential and commercial markets at more than 360 locations in the United States. For more information, visit www.glassdoctor.com.

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