Paul Holzschuher ⋅ Lebanon, OH Ohmart/Vega ⋅ 40 years experience

Hello Angel
Franchise is an excellent way to start a new business, since most quality franchisers will train you and support since they do not want to have you fail.
SCORE has an excellent document on franchising at
http://scoreworks.org/briefs/SCORE%2011.00.79.pdf
and another about evaluating a franchise
http://scoreworks.org/briefs/SCORE%2011.05.52.pdf

In addition there are companies like Fran Net [http://www.frannet.com/] to help you choose from selected quality franchises and guide though the process.

Good Luck,
Paul

Lowell Sandoval ⋅ Seattle, WA LowellSandoval.com ⋅ 25 years experience

Franchises will require an up front investment towards franchise fees. You could locate a building or space to acquire, then seek a loan to buy the building. A down payment will most likely be required, but there may be some lower cost VA options.

Taking on an investor could supply the up front investment. You could provide an ownership buyout clause in the future enabling it to be handed down to your family members with a clean slate.

Best wishes,

Lowell Sandoval

Jonathan Glab ⋅ Oak Park, MI Hourly Nerd ⋅ 10 years experience

Hi Angel,

I worked on the corporate side of Dominos Pizza for a long time, until I started my own business. I don't know In-n-Out but a good franchise makes it easy for basically anybody to operate. Dominos offered plenty of training and constant support. First step with In-n-Out is to look at what investment they require-compare them with other franchises. These franchises really want to grow their business so I'm sure they'd be happy to start a conversation. Ask a lot of questions about training and support. Please contact me if you have further questions.
Best,
Jon

Brian Richardson ⋅ Columbus, IN U.S. Army, Sergeant ⋅ 8 years served

Hi Angel,

It might be difficult going from a medical background to retail environment. But I think that is the beauty of the entrepreneurial spirit. I went from an Army surveyor to financial services to newspaper editor to video auditing over the last 30 years! I have always enjoyed the challenge.

That being said, you have some work to do. You should start out by reading as much as you can about business in general. Make sure there is a need for your new idea...not just you and two friends that think it would be a cool idea.

Talk to other franchise owners (in other geographical areas). Know what resources you have and what you don't have. Being under-prepared will be your downfall.

Read as much as you can about business. That will give you the ability to ask the right questions as you progress down this path. Here are some books I have read.

http://vetlaunched.com/books/

If I can be of further help, please contact me here or thru my site. Good luck.

Brian Richardson
www.VetLaunched.com

Elliot Young ⋅ Brooklyn, NY Uniworld International Associates Inc ⋅ 25 years experience

First thing is get some VA advisory after you Google "Franchises for Veterans". I know Papa Johns has a program and many others. You will get a loan from the franchise as well as the VA. In NY I have heard of $50K loan and $15K from the VA and thats not a bad start. Call up a franchise that you like never buy into something you dont use yourself and know others like. I just had a meeting yesterday at the VA with an adviser and that was a topic of conversation.

I wish you luck but also think out of the box. Use Kickstarter and ask the public who you protect to help you start a franchise business. Its the least we all can do. If not a franchise whatever kind of business you start make sure your mobile optimized website has a way to send you client information, download your mobile app, and offer free information as a brochure. I said mobile optimized because as of April 21st 2015 Google has altered search results for websites that ARE NOT mobile optimized. They want people on the internet not to have a jumbled up experience with having to pinch to make larger websites that are not mobile. Thats huge since over 90% of websites are not mobile optimized.

Also we grew up in the real world speaking English. Customers today have grown up in the digital world speaking social. Make sure you have a social media plan of action because you have to speak the language of today. companies live and die in social media.

Angel again I wish you luck and I'm here..

SCORE, VA Social Worker, Google, FranchiseDirect.com, FranchiseOpportunities.com, logotournament.com, VistaPrint.com, Canva.com (Use FREE ones for social media), Invoicera.com, Skype.com (Pay for Skype calls to mobile and landline first ($30) THEN do another transaction and get a telephone number ($30) that saves $30) ends up being $60 annually instead of $90, targethero.com, and use Dell.com and look for the "Dell Outlet" area for cheaper priced laptops, desktops, etc. Newegg.com, TigerDirect.com, and ebay.com are great too. Stocklayouts.com as well Im trying to type from thought I been using the internet for 25yrs and pretty much know all the sites to go to. RFP's use Elance.com for sure.

Hope that over explained....

Richard Ashe ⋅ Houston, TX Veteran Franchise Advisers ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi Angel,

Thank you for your service. I've been an entrepreneur, a franchisee and franchisor. Franchising is an excellent option for business ownership. My company Veteran Franchise Advisers (VFA) offers free consultation and advisory service for veteran entrepreneurs interested in exploring franchise ownership. Our goal is to help you identify franchise or business opportunities that meet your personal, professional, financial and lifestyle goals.. I would be happy to assist you and your family in navigating franchise ownership. If you'd like to learn more about VFA or me I have a couple of articles on ACP or you can go to http://www.veteranfranchiseadvisers.com if you'd like to explore some options on your own.

tamme tannehill ⋅ Louisville, KY Find Me A Franchise, LLC ⋅ 35 years experience

Hi Angel....Please check out my profile. I have 35 yrs in business, 18 yrs have been in franchise ownership. My 1st franchise was as a regional development franchisee in retail and food and my 2nd franchise was in the service industry. Why don't we talk over the phone so we can talk in more detail. What is the best time for you during the day and the best number to call you on?

Tamme