Franchising World April 2011

1991
   • The VetFran program was conceived by the The Dwyer Group President Don Dwyer while attending the IFA Annual Meeting.
   • Franchisors across the country threw their support behind the program and on Aug. 14, 1991, after seven months of lobbying, the U.S. Small Business Administration signed the Memorandum of Understanding that launched the program.
   • On Nov. 7, 1991, after three months of preliminary organizing, VetFran was officially launched at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
   • VetFran program officially launched during press conference in Washington, D.C. on Veterans Day.
   2001
   • Relaunched following Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.  
   2002
   • IFA and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sign an official Memorandum of Understanding to jointly promote the VetFran program.
   2003
   • U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs’ Center for Veterans Enterprise names IFA a “Champion of Veterans Enterprise.”
   2007
   • The IFA Executive Committee and Board of Directors approves the creation of The VetFran Committee.
   2008
   • IFA was honored by the American Society of Association Executives as a winner of the organization’s Summit Award in recognition of its Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, known as VetFran.    

2009
   • Help Veterans Own Franchises Act introduced by Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) and Aaron Schock (R-Ill.).
   2010
   • More than 2,000 veterans have taken a path to business ownership through VetFran.
   • In September, IFA signed a Certificate of Partnership with the Employee Partnership Office of the U.S. Army Reserves to help broaden employment opportunities for reservists by including franchise ownership as a new career option.
   2011
   • VetFran reaches its 20th anniversary on Veterans Day.
   • IFA has partnered with entities such as the Veteran Business Outreach Centers, New Mexico Veteran Business Resource Center and the Nevada Office of Veterans Services to conduct the One-Day Franchise Opportunities Seminars for Minorities, Veterans and Women across the country.