Business View Magazine - March 2016

14 Business View Magazine - April 2016 Business View Magazine - April 2016 15 Opening Lines On a Mission to Win a 7-Eleven Franchise Hundreds of veterans are charging ahead to enlist in Operation: Take Command, 7-Eleven, Inc.’s sec- ond franchise giveaway contest targeted exclusively to U.S. military veterans. With the Feb. 26 deadline for entries fast approaching, more than 9,000 veter- ans have entered, already exceeding last year’s total number of entrants. The winner will receive a waiver of the franchise fee, valued at up to $190,000, to franchise any 7-Eleven convenience store available in the continental U.S. at the contest’s culmination. The winner will be an- nounced in June. “This is a great opportunity for a veteran to take charge of his or her future,” said Larry Hughes, 7-Eleven Vice President of Franchise Systems and himself a West Point graduate and U.S. Army veter- an. “Veterans have a proven track record as 7-Eleven franchisees. Leadership and character, systems ori- entation, discipline, the ability to build teams - the qualities that are stressed in the military are the same ones that lead to success in our system.” In addition to their military experience, many of the veterans who have entered this year’s Operation: Take Command competition hold bachelor’s and graduate degrees and possess business, retail, and management skills. The Operation: Take Command franchise giveaway is a multi-phased competition that includes meeting 7-Eleven’s franchising qualifications and successful interviews. The top 25 will be invited to submit a video on why they deserve a 7-Eleven franchise. Up to seven will be selected for the semi-finals round, which includes a Facebook video contest. The three getting the most Facebook votes will be interviewed by 7-Eleven’s franchise department and narrowed to one winner. To qualify for the contest, an entrant 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 res- taurant experience. Contestants will go through the same qualification process as all 7-Eleven franchise applicants including credit evaluation, a leadership test, business plan development, and budget and location preferences. 7-Eleven has been recognized by veterans’ organiza- tions for its military-friendly business opportunities, hiring practices and philanthropic support for mili- tary families. Military veterans serve in every level of the company from store sales associates to head- quarters personnel. The retailer also has supported military assistance organizations including Hire He- roes USA, the USO, Reserve Aid, Warrior Gateway and Operation Mend. “Response to this year’s Operation: Take Command has already surpassed last year, I think in part be- cause veterans recognize what a great opportunity owning a 7-Eleven franchise can be and that 7-Eleven is a military-friendly company on all fronts,” Hughes said. “Five of the top 10 finalists in last year’s con- test are now 7-Eleven franchisees.” 7-Eleven was selected a 2014-2015 “Best for Vets” franchise by Military Times, a Top 100 Military-Friend- ly Employer by G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse maga- zines in 2014, 2015 and 2016, one of U.S. Veterans Magazine Top 100 Veteran-Friendly Companies, and MVE (Most Valuable Employer) by civilianjobs.com . Thousands of Military Veterans Enter Second Operation: Take Command Contest