Franchise Industry makes history and Joins First Lady Michelle Obama to Announce Veteran Hiring Commitments

The franchising industry made history last week as the IFA launched Operation Enduring Opportunity, a campaign built off of our VetFran strategic initiative to hire and recruit 75,000 veterans and 5,000 Wounded Warriors as business owners and team members by 2014.


 
IFA members held impressive local events in 10 cities, joining with veterans and federal, state and local officials to generate over 100 local news stories and convey to the nation our commitment to support those who have served this nation so bravely at their time of need by offering them opportunities in franchising.

 

Meanwhile, our partnership with The White House Joining Forces Initiative led to joint events and recognition by First Lady Michelle Obama, Veterans Administration Secretary Gen. Eric Shinseki, SBA Administrator Karen Mills and other federal and state leaders -- garnering over 200 significant national media hits. 
Below are web links to several articles about this unprecedented action by our industry.

1. Fox Business
2. Washington Post / AP
3. Military.com
 
I want to thank our board members and committed VetFran leaders who demonstrated courage and leadership in this remarkable effort. While we are just at the beginning of an important and long-term campaign, I couldn't be more proud and humbled by the dedication, commitment and leadership our industry has demonstrated in this critical first step.

 

Next, the Operation Enduring Opportunity campaign will advance with education, advocacy, and technical assistance programs to fulfill our commitments to our nation's veterans. The IFA Convention will feature an Operation Enduring Opportunity General Session as well as new exhibitors, lending partners, and others involved in this historic effort.

At the end of November, we will also be sending out a newsletter and a schedule of upcoming VetFran events to be held during the first quarter of 2012.

Once again, thank you for your leadership and for your commitment to veterans and military families. We look forward to speaking with all of you in the coming weeks. In the meantime if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me or Beth Solomon, VP, Strategic Initiatives & Industry Relations, at [email protected]. 

Best,
Steve Caldeira, CFE
President & Chief Executive Officer
International Franchise Association