It would seem that the Marketing People would publish many letters of recommendation from disabled VETS and other VETS who are or who have been franchisees of Little Caesars.

Does Little Caesars disclose “earnings” in Item 19 to new buyers of their franchises? Do they have a high success rate with first owner-builders of their franchised units who go on to complete their ten or fifteen year contracts, or who sell their units at a profit or a loss?

Of course, the disabled VETS are attractive to franchisors because they generally have government disability pensions that allow them to survive through longer startup periods than those who have NO guaranteed outside income. They can work for nothing for many years if this is necessary. And, the work itself no doubt is gratifying to disabled veterans who want to be self-employed.

But, VETS in all categories, whether retired with pensions, or disabled with a pension, or discharged with no pension have to post collateral to be eligible for SBA Loan guarantees and are vulnerable to the loss of their homes in a high risk investment.

The VA Franchise Program has picked up since the SBA Patriot Express Loan Initiative came into effect in June of 2007.

We would hope that the head of the VA would do some due diligence work on the franchises that he endorses to the veterans and the public.