7-Eleven Sets Franchising Goal to Recruit 100 Veterans

DALLAS — Coinciding with Veterans Day, 7-Eleven Inc. announced it is aiming to provide more franchise opportunities to qualified men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The retailer has set a goal of recruiting 100 veterans and providing $2 million in discounts by the end of 2016.

The convenience store chain's veterans franchising program, which launched in 2009, offers discounted franchise fees to retired or separated military veterans who have been honorably discharged from the service within the past five years. Qualified veterans who become first-time 7-Eleven franchisees receive up to a 20-percent discount on the initial franchise fee for the first 7-Eleven store they franchise. This ranges from $1,000 to approximately $35,000, depending on the store.

"What better time to announce our intent to continue providing more opportunities in the coming year for those who served our country than around Veterans Day," stated Greg Franks, 7-Eleven's franchise systems vice president. "U.S. military veterans have the skills, focus and dedication to achieve great success as franchisees."

In the past six years, 82 military veterans have received $1.5 million in 7-Eleven franchise fee discounts, according to Franks. An additional 10 veterans have started on the path to becoming franchisees.

Recently, 7-Eleven gave away store franchises to three military veterans who were winners of its Operation: Take Command contest, as CSNews Online previously reported. Mark Anthony Page took control of his Burleson, Texas, store in August; Salil Gautam franchised his Norfolk, Va., store in September; and Robert Kemna is expected to take control of a Miami 7-Eleven store in December.