Neighborly Surpasses $2.3 Million in Discounts to Military Veterans Awarded a Franchise Through VetFran Program

WACO, Texas (November 6, 2014) – Neighborly, formerly Dwyer Group, one of the world’s largest franchising companies of trade service brands, has surpassed $2.3 million in discounts to military veterans who have been awarded a franchise through the VetFran program.

Established after the Gulf War by the late Don Dwyer Sr., founder of The Neighborly, the VetFran program gives U.S. military veterans a discount towards the purchase of a franchise. Dwyer recognized that veterans’ abilities, core values and training were perfectly translated to franchise ownership. To-date, Neighborly has awarded franchises to 326 veterans since the relaunch of the program in 2002.

“As we honor our brave military men and women this coming Veterans Day, we should continue to extend special opportunities to transition to civilian life after their service is done,” said Mike Bidwell, CEO and President of Neighborly and a U.S. military veteran. “Providing a pathway to business ownership through VetFran remains a win-win for the positive growth of our franchise networks by assisting these veterans in leveraging their outstanding leadership to build local service businesses.”

This Veterans Day, Neighborly is highlighting many of those franchise owners in a new video discussing why “I’m Proud to be a Veteran.” Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5PHep0ziHA

After originating the program, Neighborly received the endorsement of VetFran from the International Franchise Association in Washington D.C., the world’s largest advocacy group for franchising as a business format. Today, the IFA is the official sponsor of VetFran and now includes 645 franchisors that offer a financial incentive to veterans who wish to own their own business.

More than 5,600 veterans have been awarded a franchise through the VetFran program.

About Neighborly®:

Neighborly, based in Waco, Texas, is a holding company of seven franchise businesses, each selling and supporting a different franchise under the following service marks: Aire Serv®, Glass Doctor®, The Grounds Guys®, Mr. Appliance®, Mr. Electric®, Mr. Rooter® (Drain Doctor® in the UK and Portugal), and Rainbow International®. Collectively, these independent franchise concepts offer customers worldwide a broad base of residential and commercial services. In addition, The Neighborly® operates glass shops in New England under the Portland Glass® brand name. Neighborly is a portfolio company of The Riverside Company®, a global private equity firm. The firm’s international portfolio includes more than 75 companies. More information on Neighborly, or its franchise concepts, is available at www.dwyergroup.com.

Neighborly is also on Twitter at @DwyerGroup.