Essential Reading Before You Buy
The FTC Consumer Guide to Buying a Franchise
Before exploring any franchise opportunity, the Federal Trade Commission strongly recommends every prospective buyer read this guide. It covers your legal rights, what franchisors must disclose to you, how to evaluate a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), and red flags to watch out for. Required reading for any veteran considering franchise ownership.
Financing & Resources Available to Veterans
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)
If you’re a veteran looking for more information on SBA and veteran-specific programs that might help you, contact your local district office. The SBA also has Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) that offer assistance in outreach, assessment, long and short-term business training, counseling, directed referring, and online assistance to veterans, service disabled veterans, and Reserve business owners and entrepreneurs.
Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification
Being verified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) through the VA and the SBA verification systems allows your business to participate in programs and respond to business opportunities that are only available to Veteran-Owned or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.
VetLoan Advantage
If you are a veteran interested in securing fixed, low-rate, long-term financing for your business or enterprise, this program offers discounts designed to help you transition back to life as a civilian.
PeopleVET & Veteran Education (Only in Texas)
PeopleVET offers special interest small business loan rates and education to qualified veterans.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Toll Free: (866) 584-2344 | VACVE@va.gov
The Department of Veterans Affairs has the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE), which is solely dedicated to assisting veterans in starting and building businesses. They maintain a website that serves as the federal government portal for veteran-owned businesses, and help with the following:
- Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification
- Doing Business with the Federal Government
- Download the Verification Program Initial Application Guide
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service
Depending on their circumstances, veterans will work with their VRC to select one of the following five tracks of services:
- Reemployment (with a former employer)
- Direct job placement services for new employment
- Self-employment
- Employment through long-term services including OJT, college, and other training
- Independent living services
Boots to Business Program
Boots to Business is a three-step training program developed to introduce and train transitioning service members to business ownership.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
SCORE consists of chapters throughout the U.S. Click on the link to see information about your closest local chapter.