(Marine Corps Times)
-- One veteran will be awarded a 7-Eleven franchise worth $190,000 as
part of "Operation: Take Command," the company's first franchise
giveaway contest.
The initiative is a multiphased competition that includes meeting 7-Eleven's franchising qualifications, interviews, a Facebook video contest by 10 preliminary finalists and an interview with 7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto for three finalists.
The competition is for first-time prospective franchisees — veterans who do not already franchise a 7-Eleven store.
"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," said DePinto, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and former Army officer.
"7-Eleven is a winner, too, because veterans bring top-notch leadership skills, a can-do attitude and mission-oriented focus to their business. Our experience has shown that U.S. veterans have the desire, ambition and core values needed to be successful 7-Eleven franchisees."
The franchise giveaway competition began on Veterans Day and will run through April 23, when the winning veteran will be announced.
Veterans of all branches of service can apply online at this site through Jan. 25.
In early March, preliminary finalists will be notified and asked to produce a two-minute video showing why they should win the free 7-Eleven franchise.
Starting March 16, voting will begin on the top 10 finalists' videos posted on 7-Eleven's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/7ElevenFranchising) to narrow the field to three finalists. Videos also will be posted on 7-Eleven's YouTube channel and the contest website.
The three finalists will be notified and announced March 30, and will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Dallas on April 10 for final interviews with DePinto.
To qualify, entrants must be age 21 or older, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, an honorably discharged veteran, have excellent credit and at least three years of leadership, retail or restaurant experience. Contestants will go through the same qualification process as all 7-Eleven franchise applicants, including interviews, credit evaluation, leadership test, business plan, budget and store location preferences.
"All eligible veterans have a winning business proposition with 7-Eleven's pro-military franchise program," said Greg Franks, 7-Eleven vice president of franchising systems. "7-Eleven already offers qualified veterans a discount of up to a 20 percent on the franchise fee for their first 7-Eleven store, a value of up to $50,000, along with preferred interest rates and special financing on up to 65 percent of the 7-Eleven franchise fee."
7-Eleven was selected a 2014-15 "Best for Vets" franchise by Military Times, as well as a Top 100 Military-Friendly Employer by GI Jobs, one of U.S. Veterans Magazine Top 100 Veteran-Friendly Companies and a MVE (Most Valuable Employer) by civilianjobs.com.
The company is marking its 50th year of franchising in 2014. Today, franchisees operate about 80 percent of the company's U.S. stores. Retail locations available for franchising are available in 30 states across the U.S.
The franchise giveaway contest is not open to eligible veterans who are legal residents of Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota and other locations where prohibited. All participants must read and agree to the official rules.
The initiative is a multiphased competition that includes meeting 7-Eleven's franchising qualifications, interviews, a Facebook video contest by 10 preliminary finalists and an interview with 7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto for three finalists.
The competition is for first-time prospective franchisees — veterans who do not already franchise a 7-Eleven store.
"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," said DePinto, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and former Army officer.
"7-Eleven is a winner, too, because veterans bring top-notch leadership skills, a can-do attitude and mission-oriented focus to their business. Our experience has shown that U.S. veterans have the desire, ambition and core values needed to be successful 7-Eleven franchisees."
The franchise giveaway competition began on Veterans Day and will run through April 23, when the winning veteran will be announced.
Veterans of all branches of service can apply online at this site through Jan. 25.
In early March, preliminary finalists will be notified and asked to produce a two-minute video showing why they should win the free 7-Eleven franchise.
Starting March 16, voting will begin on the top 10 finalists' videos posted on 7-Eleven's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/7ElevenFranchising) to narrow the field to three finalists. Videos also will be posted on 7-Eleven's YouTube channel and the contest website.
The three finalists will be notified and announced March 30, and will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Dallas on April 10 for final interviews with DePinto.
To qualify, entrants must be age 21 or older, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, an honorably discharged veteran, have excellent credit and at least three years of leadership, retail or restaurant experience. Contestants will go through the same qualification process as all 7-Eleven franchise applicants, including interviews, credit evaluation, leadership test, business plan, budget and store location preferences.
"All eligible veterans have a winning business proposition with 7-Eleven's pro-military franchise program," said Greg Franks, 7-Eleven vice president of franchising systems. "7-Eleven already offers qualified veterans a discount of up to a 20 percent on the franchise fee for their first 7-Eleven store, a value of up to $50,000, along with preferred interest rates and special financing on up to 65 percent of the 7-Eleven franchise fee."
7-Eleven was selected a 2014-15 "Best for Vets" franchise by Military Times, as well as a Top 100 Military-Friendly Employer by GI Jobs, one of U.S. Veterans Magazine Top 100 Veteran-Friendly Companies and a MVE (Most Valuable Employer) by civilianjobs.com.
The company is marking its 50th year of franchising in 2014. Today, franchisees operate about 80 percent of the company's U.S. stores. Retail locations available for franchising are available in 30 states across the U.S.
The franchise giveaway contest is not open to eligible veterans who are legal residents of Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota and other locations where prohibited. All participants must read and agree to the official rules.
Comments