Veterans Day is more than a moment of recognition—it’s a celebration of leadership, resilience, and service.
At Authority Brands, we’re proud to support veterans as they transition from military service to business ownership in the home services industry. Franchising offers a powerful path forward, and veterans are uniquely equipped to succeed.
Why Veterans Make Exceptional Franchise Owners
1. Discipline in Execution
Veterans understand the value of structure and consistency. In franchising, success often comes from following established systems. Similar to military service, franchisees must build repeatable processes, foster team accountability, and uphold a strong company culture.
2. Agility in Uncertainty
Markets shift. Customer needs evolve. Veterans bring a resilient, confident approach to change — pivoting quickly, aligning teams, and leading with clarity. Their ability to adapt builds trust and resilience across the business.
3. Mission-Driven Team Building
Veterans know that success is a team effort. The best franchisees inspire, mentor, and align their teams around a shared mission — driving performance and creating a culture of excellence.
4. Operational Excellence
As businesses grow, so do the challenges. Veterans excel at embracing systems that track performance and drive results – ensuring long-term success.
5. Culture of Accountability
Veterans lead with integrity and transparency. They set clear expectations, empower their teams, and foster mutual respect—whether managing a local territory or scaling a national brand.
6. Leadership Under Pressure
From staffing to economic shifts, franchisees face pressure daily. Veterans lead with emotional intelligence, strong communication, and steady leadership—qualities that inspire confidence in both teams and customers.
Veteran Franchisee Spotlights
Miguel Macias – America’s Swimming Pool Co. of Reno, NV
A former Naval Supply and Logistics Officer, Miguel found franchising to be a natural fit. His military background in planning and execution helped him thrive as a franchisee. “The operations plan gave me a roadmap,” he says, crediting his Navy training for his attention to detail and decision-making skills.
Read Miguel’s story.
Luke Cain – Mosquito Squad Plus of Augusta, GA and Columbia, SC
After five years in the Marines and 11 more in intelligence contracting, Luke brought his leadership style—focused on structure and accountability—into franchising. His advice to fellow veterans? “Follow the system and go all in.”
Read Luke’s story: Augusta Business Daily | 1851
Francis Pass – One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Herrin, Illinois
Francis served for the U.S. Army during Vietnam and upon his return home from the war, decided to get into the HVAC business. He opened his own business in 1971 and in 2003, he converted his business to a One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning.
Mike LeMire - Woofie’s of East Louisville, KY
Mike, who retired from the U.S. Army after 26 years of service, was the first veteran franchise owner to join Woofie’s. While opening his business with his wife, Heather, Mike focused on developing partnerships with local businesses and community partners to improve brand awareness, while also engaging with the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and various local veteran networks. The VFW Post 1170 was enormously helpful in providing their team with resources, helping to mitigate logistical challenges and expenses during the critical startup phase.
Bryan Martinez - Mister Sparky of Corpus Christi, TX
After two tours in Afghanistan in the Air Force, Bryan was medically discharged and was looking for what would be next for him. Bryan’s father-in-law, George Saldana, owner of Mister Sparky in San Antonio, offered him a position in his franchise. Bryan worked his way from apprentice to technician to vice president, all while using the discipline, accountability, and teamwork he learned in military. Now, Bryan is preparing to open his own location of Mister Sparky in 2026.
Read Bryan’s story.
Supporting Veterans
Authority Brands proudly participates in the International Franchise Association’s VetFran® Program. We offer a discount on the Franchise Fee and Territory Fee for all honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. and Canadian armed forces (first franchise only). It’s our way of making business ownership more accessible to those who’ve served.
Franchising isn’t just a business opportunity — it’s a mission. And for veterans, it’s a mission they’re ready to lead.
In 2025, Authority Brands franchises were honored as leading franchises for veterans.
Seven of our brands appeared on Entrepreneur’s 2025 Top Franchises For Veterans list. Entrepreneur’s ranking is based on research into the best franchise options, considering incentives, support for veteran franchisees, and overall company performance in the Franchise 500.
Additionally, Mosquito Squad Plus was recognized by Franchise Business Review as a Top Franchise for Veterans. This ranking is based on the feedback received by active franchise owners.
Click here to learn more about franchising with Authority Brands or contact us today.
