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This year marks the 34th anniversary of VetFran, a program dedicated to helping U.S. veterans transition into entrepreneurship through the power of franchising. At Unleashed Brands, we are proud to celebrate this milestone, not just as a VetFran partner, but as a company built on helping kids learn, play, and grow through purpose-driven businesses.
Veterans in Franchising: A Natural Fit
Veterans and franchising are a natural fit. The skills honed in service—discipline, leadership, teamwork, and resilience—translate seamlessly into franchise ownership. The data reinforces that success:
1 in 7 franchises in the U.S. is veteran-owned, making veterans nearly three times more likely to own a franchise than non-veterans (Franchise Business Review).
66,000+ veteran-owned franchise businesses nationwide, employ over 400,000 people and contribute $41 billion to GDP (FranNet).
Veterans are 45% more likely to start their own business than non-veterans (Military.com).
97% of franchisors say veterans make excellent franchisees, and 99% agree they are a good fit as employees (VetFran).
These numbers highlight veterans’ strong entrepreneurial drive and their proven ability to build businesses that strengthen communities.
“Transitioning out of the military comes with many dynamics, you suddenly become responsible for everything. That intensity is familiar to veterans, and franchising provides the structure to channel it and continue to serve. Franchising gives you the guidance and framework you need. That’s exactly what helps veterans flourish as business owners.” — Mark Overcash, Multi-Brand Owner
Veteran Franchise Opportunities at Unleashed Brands
Unleashed Brands is the world’s leading youth enrichment franchise platform, designed to support entrepreneurs who want to impact the next generation. Our family of brands spans categories like education, fitness, and entertainment—creating businesses that are both purpose-driven and profitable.
Entrepreneurs who join Unleashed Brands benefit from:
A platform built for growth – centralized support in marketing, operations, and technology.
Proven systems – refined playbooks to launch and scale with confidence.
Mission-driven work – opportunities to build businesses that enrich the lives of children and families.
With more than 1,400 franchise locations open or in development and over 20 million families reached annually, our system provides the strength of scale with the passion of purpose.
Our Commitment to Veterans
As part of our long-standing partnership with VetFran, Unleashed Brands proudly offers 5% off the initial franchise fee to veterans and active military members. This discount is more than a financial benefit—it’s our way of honoring their service while making the pathway to business ownership more accessible.
But the true benefit is bigger: veterans who join Unleashed Brands gain access to an entire ecosystem of support, resources, and a network of like-minded entrepreneurs.
Building the Future Together
Veterans understand what it means to serve, lead, and persevere. At Unleashed Brands, we see those same qualities driving success across our system every day. As a proud partner of Vetfran, we remain committed to opening even more doors for those who served our country.
Are you a veteran ready for your next mission? Discover veteran franchise opportunities at Unleashed Brands and start building a business that creates opportunities for your family and positively impacts kids across the nation.