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Small-business ranks gain more than 600 veterans: momentum gaining for popular franchise discount program that honors nation's veterans.

Article Excerpt
Nearly four years after its re-launch by the International Franchise Association, the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, a voluntary discount program designed to help former military personnel become small-business owners, has surpassed the 600 mark in sales of franchises to veterans.

Known as "VetFran," the program has enabled 612 veterans to acquire franchised small businesses as of Sept. 1, compared to 385 sales a year ago, and more than 150 veterans are currently considering franchise purchases. The number of participating companies offering financial incentives has steadily risen as well and currently stands at 213, up from 156 over the same period, 80 of whom have sold franchises to veterans.

"VetFran was created to honor America's veterans for their service to the nation," IFA Pres. Matthew Shay said. "We not only honor that service, but do it in a way that helps them continue to contribute to the nation's well-being by becoming small-business owners and operators."

In recognition of franchising's wide variety of business concepts and sizes, the program allows each participating company to determine its own financial incentive. Typically, VetFran participants offer discounts of their initial fees, which make franchises more accessible...