With Memorial Day this weekend, Dream Vacations is launching its annual Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General contest that allows military veterans to win a free franchise.
Over the past six years, business dreams have become a reality for 30 military veterans thanks to the annual contest, Dream Vacations said. Each year five veterans are awarded a travel agency franchise, and in 2018, the contest is expanding to award seven veterans with a free franchise, as a result of a grant from the International Franchise Association (IFA) for winning the Gold Franchising Gives Back award in the “Supporting our Veterans” category. The contest will begin on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, and lasts through Monday, August 27.
The Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the U.S. military (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired, off active duty and/or honorably discharged prior to the contest start date. To participate, candidates must complete an online entry form and an introductory phone interview with a franchise development specialist. Candidates will be required to submit a candidate profile, business plan, video and resume. Finalists will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before winners are selected. The entry form and all contest details can be found at www.OperationVetrepreneur.com.
Five winners will be notified in September 2018. Each grand prize is valued at $12,700 and includes a complimentary Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9,800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees. The new recruits will report for active duty in October, when they participate in a weeklong franchise training boot camp at the Dream Vacations state-of-the-art world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel and provided with complimentary accommodations during the training program. Once training is completed, winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their dream business creating dream vacations.
All military veterans and Gold Star families who purchase a Dream Vacations travel agency business receive an enlistment package valued at no less than $5,000 and ongoing support. They can select one of four perks currently being offered — receive up to $7,000 back based on initial fee through the Earn Back promotion; waived administrative fees valued at $1,350; free weeklong cruise valued at $1,280; or a surface pro tablet valued at $1,000. They also receive a waived training fee for a business partner; veteran-themed marketing assets; and the ability to hire active-duty military spouses and veterans as associates at a discount. Additional veteran incentives include the ability to move residences and stay in business, LeisureCare Travel Insurance discounts for veterans, travel discounts for military customers and access to veteran networking groups.
Dream Vacations is the only travel franchise to receive a “5-Star Ranking” from the IFA’s VetFran initiative, and veterans and active duty spouses make up more than 30 percent of its network. Dream Vacations has received many national accolades including a number one rankings as a veteran-friendly franchise by Military Times four years in a row, as well as by Entrepreneur and Forbes. Other accolades include inclusion on G.I. Jobs annual “Hot Franchises for Veterans” list, Franchise Business Review’s “Top 100 Franchises for Veterans” and USA Today’s “50 Top Franchises for Military Veterans.”
For more visit www.OperationVetrepreneur.com or call 888-249-8235.
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