"Hefty tax rebate for any franchise fees"

PEORIA — Thomas Hofer's all for a proposed measure pending in Congress that would give veterans a hefty tax rebate for any franchise fees - his company already does it.
Hofer, himself a retired Vietnam-era Naval pilot, said his company Spring-Green offers veterans $15,000 to help with fees associated with starting up a new franchise of his lawn-care company.
"We look at this as a reward for military people who would be interested in our franchise," said Spring-Green's CEO. "In the last three years or so, 30 to 40 percent have been military orientated."
Hofer, a Peoria native who now lives in Naperville, was on hand to support U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock's bill which is pending in a House committee. Schock, R-Peoria, spoke outside David Vojta's Spring-Green franchise, located just off Pioneer Parkway in North Peoria.
The idea behind Schock's plan is that veterans who want to open a franchise would get a tax rebate up to $12,500 for any fee required to open the business. In return, the parent company would also get up to $12,500 in a similar plan if they offer a discount.
"What we have learned about veterans who have returned is that they are some of the most well trained and disciplined at starting businesses," Schock said. "To the degree that we can help them become small business owners and enter the small business arena, we'll benefit not only them as they come back to provide for themselves and their families but also our economy as we try to get people back employed and our economy turned around."
For example, if a McDonald's or Starbucks charge $50,000 to open a store and the corporation is willing to discount that fee to $25,000 for a person with a military background, then the company is eligible for up $12,500, or half the fee, in a rebate.
The veteran also is eligible for half of what they have paid in the franchise fees, up to $12,500.
Schock said such a program works for local communities because any cost to the federal government is more than offset by the potential tax revenue generated by the new business.
Additionally, he said, the government already is spending billions to help veterans readjust to life after service. Providing a way to help them open a business is just one more thing in that arena.
Andy Kravetz can be reached at 686-3283 or akravetz@pjstar.com.