The transition from the battlefield to the workforce can be difficult for returning veterans.
Mike McCloskey and Dave McCloskey, two brothers who have served in the military overseas, know how difficult it can be. As the owner of his GI Haul, a residential and commercial junk removal company, they are recruiting fellow veterans for franchise opportunities.
The brothers started their business in 2007 under the name Major Deeds Hauling and were later deployed to Iraq, where they worked for about eight months each. In 2013, we restarted our business with a focus on hiring veterans.
“Our target is veterans who wear the same boots as they did 10 years ago,” said 33-year-old U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Dave McCloskey, former U.S. Army Sergeant Mike McCloskey, 36. said, “We built a model for hiring veterans.”
The brothers hope to add five GI Haul locations within the next year. In addition to Pennsylvania, McCloskey is targeting expansion to Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
The franchise business model has long been attractive to veterans.
According to the US Census Bureau, veterans make up 7.3% of the population. But they make up 14% of his over 70,000 franchisees in the US, according to his VetFran, an initiative of member organization International Franchise Association.
Veterans can purchase GI Haul Franchise Fees for a minimum of 100,000 residential areas for $4,000. Initial investments vary from $46,500 to over $150,000 depending on the size of the area and whether the franchisees lease or buy the trucks. Costs include equipment, training, computer hardware and software, and local advertising.
“The same qualities that help military personnel succeed in the military make them excellent candidates for owning their own business,” said Dave McCloskey.
For more information on GI Haul and franchises, please visit gihaul.com.
