Neighborly® Service Brands Ranked Among Top 10 Franchise Brands for Veterans

WACO, Texas (May 21, 2015) – A growing number of the country’s 21.2 million U.S. veterans are embracing the idea of owning their own business when transitioning to civilian life, and franchise opportunities are filling an increasingly important role for many of those future careers.

Among them, Neighborly, formerly Dwyer Group, one of the world’s largest franchising companies of trade service brands, has been named to the Top 10 Franchise Brands for Veterans http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/246211.

The ranking, released by David Nilssen, co-founder and CEO of Guidant Financial, also credits the VetFran program, which was founded by Neighborly, for providing important access and opportunities in franchising to veterans and their spouses in growing numbers. Guidant, which works with veterans on a regular basis to secure financing for franchise investments, has also seen VetFran benefits up close across a growing number of franchisors highlighted.

“Don Dwyer was a true visionary when he first created VetFran in 1991 at Neighborly to honor our men and women in the military with a path towards business ownership after their service,” said Mike Bidwell, CEO of The Neighborly. “To witness how the program has grown across so many franchisors today is the ultimate tribute to his dream.”

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the International Franchise Association relaunched VetFran and invited member franchisors to support the program. Since then, VetFran has helped 5,600 veterans become franchise owners and has assisted 204,000 veterans, military spouses and wounded warriors find employment.

For more information about VetFran opportunities across Neighborly service brands, visit http://www.dwyergroup.com/vetfran/

About Neighborly®:

Neighborly, based in Waco, Texas, is a holding company of eight franchise businesses, each selling and supporting a different franchise under the following service marks: Aire Serv®, Glass Doctor®, The Grounds Guys®, Five Star Painting®, 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, 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.