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Founder of YELLOW DAWG STRIPING Awards Purple Heart Recipient from Virginia with a Free Franchise on Memorial Day

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Army Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient, Andrew Smith, of Pilot, Virginia becomes a new small business owner based on compelling contest application

June 01, 2011 // Franchising.com // GOFFSTOWN, NH - Jack Child, a U.S. Military Veteran and founder of YELLOW DAWG STRIPING, a leading pavement marking franchise, is celebrating his Memorial Day by awarding U.S. Iraq Military Veteran Andrew Smith of Pilot, Va. with a free YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise business.

In April 2011, Child launched a social media contest on Facebook called "Operation Stripes for Veterans" that encouraged Iraq and Afghanistan military veterans to upload a 250-word or less essay and/or video testimonial on why they wanted to become a small business owner with YELLOW DAWG STRIPING. It was Smith's compelling video, his enthusiastic support of the Facebook contest and encouragement towards other participants' entries that landed him the new title of franchise owner for YELLOW DAWG STRIPING.

"We couldn't be more thrilled to have Andrew join our team as the newest franchise owner with YELLOW DAWG STRIPING," said Child who served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. "With unemployment rates for Iraq and Afghanistan Military Veterans significantly higher than the national average, I felt it was my duty to help get the word out and do my best to get others on board to help these returning soldiers find employment. We couldn't be more proud of our U.S. Military members and look forward to continuing to give back to this special group through other contests and promotions for years to come."

Smith served with the Infantry 10th Mountain Division in the U.S. Army before he was honorably discharged after being wounded in Fallujah in 2003. He is a Purple Heart recipient and currently lives with his wife and children in Pilot, Va. where he serves as a minister for his local Church. After much deliberation over numerous applicants, Smith was selected by a panel of seven judges on Armed Forces Day, May 21, 2011.

Panel representatives included Child and his business partner, Brian Hayes, Dan Zurcher, a pavement marking industry expert and author, Allan Heydorn, Editor of Pavement Magazine, representatives of The Sherwin-Williams company, GRACO, and Mark Murphy, an Army veteran and owner of Southern New Hampshire's YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise, who is also a YELLOW DAWG instructor.

As part of the contest, Smith received a customized YELLOW DAWG STRIPING enclosed equipment trailer worth $5,500 donated by the Franchise Group and all the franchisees, hands-on training, business support systems and miscellaneous tools and uniforms. The entire $7,500 franchise fee was waived with several select vendors also participating including GRACO, which donated a LineLazer IV 3900, state-of-the-art line striping machine worth $8,640. The Sherwin-Williams Company donated premium traffic paint valued at $2,100. Zurcher, provided a stencil starter kit valued at $1,500. Adirondack Graphics jumped onboard at the last minute and donated the trailer graphics valued at $1,000. And, Cygnus Business Media granted two exposition packages to the 2012 National Pavement Expo in Memphis, Tenn., worth $1,250. The total retail value of the giveaway exceeded $28,000.

"Our vendors have been highly supportive of our franchise giveaway campaign and we couldn't thank them more for their kind contributions," added Child. "Without them, we wouldn't be able to give away the YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise opportunity."

In 1975, Child joined the U.S. Army and afterward attended college on the G.I. Bill. He was commissioned into the Air Force and served seven years as an Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot responsible for flying C-141s. Having received numerous commendations for his hard work and dedication, including the Air Medal, Child transitioned into civilian life as a pilot and captain for a major airline. It wasn't until he lost his medical certificate that he decided to pursue entrepreneurship. He founded BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT in 2005, quickly grew it to 15 locations serving nine states and added complementary franchise concepts that include YELLOW DAWG STRIPING and BLUE DAWG POWER WASH all operating under the BLACK DAWG Franchise Group umbrella.

"As a U.S. Military Veteran myself, I understand firsthand the hardships and challenges veterans can face as they transition into civilian life," said Child. "It is wonderful to know that we are helping to relieve the burden of transition for at least one returning veteran. It is the least we can do as a franchise system to show our troops the support they deserve."

YELLOW DAWG STRIPING offers new business investors the opportunity to start small and grow their business with other BLACK DAWG franchise concepts at 50 percent off the franchise fee. The home-based business opportunity is also a perfect add-on for individuals seeking to diversify their portfolio as well as take advantage of, and capitalize on, cross marketing and sales of a multi-brand concept. An ideal YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise owner is an individual who likes to work outdoors, understands adherence to standards, is mission driven and wants to grow a business and eventually run it, not work it. As a member of the VetFran Program and a Military-Friendly Franchise, BLACK DAWG Franchise Group offers a 30 percent discount on its initial franchise fees for any honorably discharged U.S. military veteran.

For more information on YELLOW DAWG STRIPING visit www.YellowDawgStriping.com. For franchise opportunities please visit: www.FranchiseDawg.com or call 1-800-998-DAWG (3294).

About BLACK DAWG Franchise Group

BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT was founded in 2005 by Jack Child, a U.S. Army and Air Force Military Veteran. BLACK DAWG began offering line striping services in 2006, and demand quickly outpaced capacity. To better manage the line striping needs of customers, BLACK DAWG formed YELLOW DAWG STRIPING in 2009. Today, YELLOW DAWG STRIPING has eight units operating in eight states with 50 new locations planned to open during the next four years. YELLOW DAWG STRIPING prides itself on its professional attitude and behavior while performing jobs and treats clients' property with respect and the utmost care. The company works with a high degree of environmental consciousness and in accordance with all safety procedures. Additional BLACK DAWG Franchise Group concepts include BLUE DAWG and POWER WASH. For more information, please visit www.FranchiseDawg.com or visit us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YellowDawgStriping.

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