After serving in combat, how difficult could it be to keep a Slurpee machine operating and a hot dog cooker twirling?
The 7-Eleven convenience store chain thinks that veterans make perfect franchise owners, so they’ve announced a contest — Operation: Take Command — that will award a free 7-Eleven franchise to one lucky veteran.
Service members have until January 26 to apply for the giveaway. Contestants should have three years of experience in leadership, restaurant or retail. 7-Eleven will select finalists, who will be asked to make videos explaining why they are the most deserving owners. Then, everyone will be invited to vote for a winner.
Beyond the obvious boon to one lucky winner, the contest serves to draw attention to the convenience store’s vet-friendly policies, which include incentives — such as a 20 percent discount on the franchise fee (up to $50,000) and up to 65 percent financing through 7-Eleven — for veterans interested in purchasing a franchise.
7-Eleven CEO Joe DePinto, an Army vet and West Point graduate, tells Entrepreneur, “I can think of no one more deserving of this extraordinary opportunity to win a 7-Eleven franchise than one of our military veterans who has given so much for our country. 7-Eleven is a winner, too, because veterans bring top-notch leadership skills, a can-do attitude and mission-oriented focus to their business.”
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