CruiseOne, the home-based travel agent franchise network that is part of World Travel Holdings, has resolved that military veterans and active-duty spouses will make up at least 25 percent of its franchise network by the end of the year, an increase of nearly 10 percent.
"At CruiseOne we salute military veterans and their spouses and we acknowledge that military service experience translates well into small business ownership," said Tim Courtney, vice president of franchise development and ambassador of veteran affairs for CruiseOne. "We find that strong leadership, discipline and trainability are several of the skills military veterans bring to business ownership, and these are also among the reasons they are some of the most successful franchise owners."
CruiseOne offers military veteran incentive programs. Those who served in the U.S. armed forces receive a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee.
Plus, in 2014, CruiseOne is launching a new veteran employment program offering discounts for franchise owners who hire former members of the U.S. military or active-duty military spouses as associates.
The first associate fee of $495 will be waived; any additional associates hired who are veterans or active-duty military spouses will be offered at half-price, a value of $248.
For the past two years, the company also has hosted the "Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General" contest, which awards five free CruiseOne franchises to military veterans. Each year, the contest starts on Memorial Day and concludes in the fall, with a special ceremony featuring city and state government officials.
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