WACO, Texas — The Dwyer Group Inc., one of the largest franchising companies of trade service brands including the Aire Serv® heating and cooling brand, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of VetFran, a program started by the company’s late founder Don Dwyer Sr. as a pathway to business ownership for military veterans.

To date, the organization has awarded more than $2 million in discounts to 374 veterans who have become franchise owners of a Dwyer Group service brand through VetFran since it began keeping records in 2003.

“Don was a true visionary,” said Mike Bidwell, president and CEO of Dwyer Group. “During the Persian Gulf War, he asked the very important question, ‘What are we doing to thank the men and women who are protecting our country and the free enterprise system under which we operate?’ His answer was to thank them with VetFran, offering our best financial discounts to veterans who want to own a franchise.”

The success of the program that was adopted by the International Franchise Association in Washington, District of Columbia, now includes more than 650 franchisors across the country that have helped more than 6,000 military veterans acquire a franchise business.

Dwyer, a veteran of the Air Force, recognized the exemplary training of U.S. military men and women as a great skill set to translate to franchised businesses. Both utilize leadership skills, hard work, and the mindset to follow a proven system.

Himself a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a former multi-unit franchise owner of Dwyer Group brands, Bidwell added that he expects the VetFran program to continue to grow on a national level.

For more information about the VetFran program at Dwyer Group, visit www.dwyergroup.com/about-us/vetfran-program/.

For more information about the Dwyer Group and its franchise businesses, visit www.dwyergroup.com.

Publication date: 2/24/2016

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