Veteran Business Opportunities: Franchises, Startups, and Support
Updated October 7, 2026 · QuickMountTV™ Heroes Initiative team
Veteran business opportunities include starting a company, buying an existing business, joining a franchise, or pursuing eligible government contracts. There is no single best route for everyone: compare the work, capital, control, risk, and support involved before choosing.
Which Business Path Fits Your Goals?
| Path | What it involves | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Start a business | Create your offer, brand, processes, and customer base. | What skills, time, capital, and outside advice will building the operation require? |
| Buy an existing business | Take over an operating company, its assets, and included contracts or obligations. | Have advisers review its records, liabilities, customer concentration, and purchase terms. |
| Join a franchise | Operate under a brand and business system subject to a franchise agreement. | What are the full investment, recurring fees, owner duties, territory terms, and support obligations in the FDD? |
| Pursue government contracts | Compete to provide goods or services to government buyers; this is a sales channel, not a business plan. | Does the business meet eligibility and certification requirements and have capacity to fulfill the contract? |
Veteran Business Resources from the SBA and VetFran
The U.S. Small Business Administration directs veterans to business counseling, training, funding resources, and contracting information. Its Veteran Business Outreach Centers support veterans, service members, and military spouses considering starting or growing a small business. VetFran helps veterans explore franchise options; each brand sets its own incentive terms.
A Due-Diligence Checklist for Veterans
- Define the role you want. Decide how much time you want to spend on sales, customer service, staff, field work, and administration.
- Estimate the full capital need. Account for startup costs, working capital, personal expenses during launch, and ongoing business costs.
- Check incentives in writing. A franchise-fee waiver or discount generally applies to a named fee, not the complete cost of owning a business.
- Validate the people and process. Speak with current and former franchisees or customers and ask about training, support, and day-to-day work.
- Get independent guidance. Have qualified advisers review contracts, disclosures, and funding plans before you commit.
One Franchise Example: QuickMountTV™ Heroes Initiative
QuickMountTV™ began in 2019 as a TV-mounting and smart-home-installation business, led by CEO Michael Mehditash. The company began franchising in 2023. Its Heroes Initiative waives the $49,500 initial franchise fee for qualifying veterans under the program terms. That waiver does not remove other startup costs, ongoing fees, or the work of operating a customer-facing business. Review the current FDD and agreement for complete requirements and costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What business opportunities are available to veterans?
Veterans can explore starting a business, buying an existing business, joining a franchise, or pursuing eligible government contracts. The right path depends on the owner’s goals, resources, experience, and preferred role.
Does the SBA offer business help for veterans?
Yes. The SBA provides veteran-focused business resources, including counseling, training, funding-program information, and contracting assistance. Its Veteran Business Outreach Centers help veterans, service members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business.
Does a franchise fee waiver mean the business is free?
No. A waiver applies only to the fee stated in the written offer. Other startup investment, ongoing fees, equipment, insurance, working capital, and operating costs may still apply.
This article is general educational information, not legal, tax, or investment advice, and is not an offer to sell a franchise. Franchise offers may be made only through the applicable FDD and in compliance with registration requirements.