Meet Mike
Mike spent 12 years in the military. He thrived in structured environments, led teams, and was trusted to make decisions that mattered.
When he transitioned, he did what many veterans do. He took a civilian job that looked good on paper. Stable. Predictable.
But something felt off.
He missed leading.
He missed building something.
He missed knowing his work mattered.
What Mike didn’t realize at first was that he wasn’t “bad at civilian life.”
He just hadn’t found the right lane yet.
Today, Mike owns a service-based franchise. He runs a team. He follows proven systems. He serves his community. And for the first time since leaving the military, his skills feel fully utilized again.
Mike’s story isn’t rare.
You didn’t lose your skills when you left the military.
You lost the mission.
You were trained to lead, operate with discipline, and take responsibility when it mattered.
Then one day, the uniform came off — and the clarity went with it.
Civilian life doesn’t always know what to do with people like you.
That doesn’t mean you’re broken.
It means you haven’t found the right mission yet.
 “I downloaded the veteran franchise list thinking it would just be a sales piece. It wasn’t. It helped me understand why certain models fit veterans and why others didn’t. That alone changed how I looked at my options.” - Lenny H. | Army Veteran | Transitioning Officer |  “What surprised me most was learning which franchises weren’t a good fit for someone like me. That probably saved me from chasing the wrong thing.” - Stephen R. | Army National Guard | New Franchise Owner | “I didn’t struggle with discipline or leadership. I struggled with what came next. Franchising gave me structure without putting me back under someone else’s command.” - Robert| Army Veteran | Service Business Owner | “I wasn’t afraid of hard work. I was afraid of making the wrong move and dragging my family into it. Having a proven system changed everything for me.” - Charles M. | Marine Corps Veteran | Multi-Unit Owner |
WHY FRANCHISING WORKS FOR VETERANS
Veterans are some of the most successful franchise owners out there.
In fact, 1 out of every 7 franchises is owned by a veteran.
That’s not an accident.
Franchise models often work well for veterans because they offer:
- Clear structure and systems
- Leadership opportunities
- Defined operating playbooks
- Training, support, and accountability
In other words, you’re not starting from scratch — you’re stepping into a proven framework and making it your own.
COULD THIS BE YOUR “NEXT”?
If you’re transitioning, curious about business ownership, but unsure where to start, this may help put things in perspective.
Watch this short video to hear why so many veterans explore franchising as their next chapter.
Watch the interview and learn why franchise business ownership is so popular for our military:
WHY THIS SHORTLIST EXISTS
There are thousands of franchises out there.
Most are not a great fit for veterans.
That’s why we created the 6 Veteran-Friendly Franchise Shortlist — to narrow the noise and give you a smart starting point.
This isn’t about pushing you toward a decision.
It’s about helping you evaluate what actually makes sense for your life, your family, and your goals.
Your only mission right now is simple:
Say YES to exploring what’s possible.
WHAT YOU’LL GET
When you request the 6 Veteran-Friendly Franchise Shortlist, you’ll receive:
- A curated list of franchise models veterans often thrive in
- Why each aligns well with military experience
- Key differences between owner-operator and manager-led models
- Guidance on what to consider before making any decisions
It’s free.
It’s a starting point.
It’s clarity.
“I assumed busines ownership meant gambling. What I learned is that the right franchise actually removes a lot of the guesswork. That shift alone gave me confidence.” - Greg C. | Army National Guard | Semi-Absentee Owner | “I almost didn’t explore franchising because of the noise and horror stories online. Talking it through with Dave and Stacey, someone who had actually owned a business made all the difference.” - Matt D. | Marine Veteran | Health & Wellness Franchise | “I didn’t leave the military to be burned out in a different uniform. This gave me a business that fits my life instead of running it.” - Harry H. | Army Veteran | Two-Territory Owner |  “I work hard, but I work on my terms. That’s a freedom I didn’t fully understand until I had it.” - Tommy D. | Navy Veteran | Owner-Operator |
MEET YOUR GUIDES
Stacey & Dave Riska
We’re not here to sell you a franchise.
Between us, we’ve owned, built, scaled, and sold multiple businesses. We’ve lived the wins, the setbacks, and the moments of doubt that come with big decisions.
We also understand how personal this transition is — especially when your family and financial security are on the line.
Our role is simple:
To guide you with honesty, structure, and support so you don’t have to navigate this mission alone.
Stacey & Dave Riska
We’re not here to sell you a franchise.
Between us, we’ve owned, built, scaled, and sold multiple businesses. We’ve lived the wins, the setbacks, and the moments of doubt that come with big decisions.
We also understand how personal this transition is — especially when your family and financial security are on the line.
Our role is simple:
To guide you with honesty, structure, and support so you don’t have to navigate this mission alone.
FIND YOUR VETERAN-FRIENDLY FRANCHISE MATCH WITHOUT PRESSURE
Exploring doesn’t mean committing.
Learning doesn’t mean quitting your job.
Asking questions doesn’t mean you’re behind.
But not exploring at all has a cost.
Most veterans who reach out to us later say the same thing:
“I wish I had looked into this sooner.”
Before you make a decision — or rule anything out — get clarity.
Then we’ll help you determine what, if anything, makes sense for you.
#YouGotThis
YES I want to know the top 6 veteran-friendly franchises!
