Vets can get help with businesses

Glen Johnson spent two years in the U.S. Army, serving as a sergeant in Vietnam.

After a 37-year career in banking, Johnson began operating a pizza restaurant franchise six weeks ago, thanks in part to his status as a military veteran.

“I think anybody that's been in the military, you get that structure and discipline that sticks with you the rest of your life,” he said. “You learn responsibility. I don't think you lose it. It translates to a person who shows up for work and does their job and takes ownership of what they do every day.”

As the country marks Veterans Day on Wednesday, Johnson and other veterans have found that employers recognize those qualities, which is one reason they and government agencies offer special programs making it easier for vets to become entrepreneurs.

Little Caesars Enterprises started its veteran program in 2006, said David Scrivano, president of the Detroit-based company. By helping veterans transition to civilian careers or seek career changes, he said, the company benefits by having franchise owners with military-style skills such as teamwork, dedication and familiarity with processes.

Johnson is one of more than 50 veterans receiving more than $1.5 million in discounts, up to $68,000 each, on their first Little Caesars stores. The company has received 4,200 inquiries about the program, Scrivano said.

Government encouragement for veterans aspiring to be business owners includes the Patriot Act loan guarantee program through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Nebraska SBA district director Leon Milobar said veterans in Nebraska and South Dakota took out 55 bank loans totaling $10 million in 2008 and 2009 under the program, which guarantees 85 percent of the amounts borrowed.

That's up from 38 loans for $5.3 million the previous year.

The program has been overtaken temporarily by the federal financial recovery program, also called the stimulus program, which guarantees 90 percent of the amounts borrowed and waives all fees. But Milobar said the Patriot Act is permanent and the SBA's most comprehensive loan program for veterans ever.

Veterans have the mental toughness it takes to run a business, Milobar said.

“They have specific skills that they've developed through being in the military, and they're much more self-confident.”

First National Bank of North Platte, Neb., loaned $4.4 million to 29 borrowers with SBA guarantees last year, but none were under the veterans program, said President Rick Kolkman.

But, he said, “we're willing to do it if someone comes in.”

Kathy Huibregtse, who runs the supportive employment program at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Omaha, said she primarily works with veterans seeking jobs, but many of their qualities also would allow them to operate businesses.

“Most employers are looking for someone who is very loyal, trustworthy, dedicated, with a really strong work ethic,” Huibregtse said. “All of those things describe exactly what a veteran is.”

Johnson, whose Little Caesars restaurant is at 18111 Q St., said it's hard to say whether he would have purchased a franchise without the company's veterans program, which saved him about $25,000 in franchise fees and equipment costs.

“But it was definitely a factor,” he said. “It makes you stop and look at their program real seriously. It probably had a lot to do with it, and they're very supportive of veterans.”

After leaving the service in 1969, Johnson earned bachelor's and master's degrees through the GI Bill. He worked at banks in Oklahoma, Commercial Federal Bank of Omaha and then its successor, Bank of the West.

Johnson said that after he bought the pizza franchise, he learned every job at the business, from sweeping the floors to keeping the books, and now has about 40 employees, mostly part time.

His son recently left his job at Bank of the West to join his father at the restaurant. So far it's going well, although nearby street repairs might be discouraging some potential customers, he said.

“It'll be good to get the traffic cones out of here and get a real picture of what's going to happen,” Johnson said of his new restaurant. “It's improving a little bit every day.”

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444-1080, steve.jordon@owh.com