From Camo to Kilt: Chris Murphy Shares Why He Chose Franchising After Leaving the US Army

The transition from US Army Specialist as a Military Police Officer, to that of a kilt-wearing window and exterior cleaning technician might seem odd from an outsider’s perspective. But in all reality, it makes perfect sense. Chris Murphy, Operations Manager at Men In Kilts Boston, served in the US Army for just under 11 years and during that time was deployed to Iraq twice. He spent a year in Baghdad where he provided personal security to Tier 1 government officials. After being back in Boston for six months, Murphy volunteered to go back and this time he travelled to Fallujah where he worked with Iraqi police on daily operations and helped them to develop procedures and protocols. Murphy’s time serving in the Army was nothing short of rewarding, but he was ready for a change. Deciding to become a part of a franchise was deeply rooted in the support systems that Murphy knows are in place for franchisees. “The brand and operational support that comes from the franchisor is definitely a bonus. From fellow employees, the franchisor, and even other franchisees, there is always someone there to help you. In the Army, it is the same way. There is an endless system of support and everyone works together as a team,” says Murphy. The transition from military to civilian was pretty easy for Murphy. “In the military, I was used to long days of training and work, and not having a set schedule was pretty standard. Being a part of a franchise is very similar. I could have a job that requires me to work earlier than 8 am or later than 5 pm, and I just have to go with it. So, when I came back to work full-time in the franchising world, it was pretty smooth.” Previous franchise experience came from Murphy’s eight years spent with 1-800-Got-Junk? Murphy’s mother, Judy Briggs, owns both the 1-800-Got-Junk? and the Men In Kilts franchise in Boston. “With my mom being an expert franchisee, it all just made sense to me to become a part of this industry as well,” says Murphy. Men In Kilts first caught Murphy’s attention when the company was featured in Entrepreneur Magazine. He said he could not help but smile. “The thought of anyone washing windows while wearing kilts was so cool!” says Murphy. It was not long after when his mother came to him and asked, “Have you ever thought about wearing a kilt?” Murphy did not hesitate. The Men In Kilts mission is to “bring smiles into the world…one kilt at a time!” Just like the Army, Men In Kilts is fighting to make the world a better place. Even if it is something as simple as making someone smile, Murphy’s passion for caring for his country and all the people in it, carries on in his work at Men In Kilts. Murphy recognizes how he has brought smiles to the world by recalling one particular moment. “One Monday morning, we were in the heart of Boston cleaning windows and everyone that walked by couldn’t help but smile. I remember thinking, ‘people are normally miserable first thing on a Monday morning, but we just brought smiles to all these faces by doing something as simple as wearing a kilt’. That is pretty powerful!” Murphy’s hard work has made Men In Kilts recognize the amazing fit for veterans in the company, and the opportunities to work with veterans in the future. Men In Kilts prides itself on dedication and a high level of work ethic, which is a great fit for veterans who have the skills and attributes necessary to succeed in a franchise such as Men In Kilts.