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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Military Veteran Gives Returning Iraq and Afghanistan Soldiers a Chance to ‘Earn their Stripes’  

Jack Child, Founder of YELLOW DAWG STRIPING, Launches Operation Stripes for Veterans Franchise Giveaway Promotion

GOFFSTOWN, New Hampshire (April 4, 2011) With unemployment rates for Iraq and Afghanistan military veterans significantly higher than the national average, one U.S. military veteran is making it his personal mission to give back to his comrades.

Starting April 4, 2011, Jack Child, the founder of YELLOW DAWG STRIPING, a leading pavement marking franchise, will launch a social media Facebook campaign – Operation Stripes for Veterans - that will offer one honorably discharged U.S. military Iraq or Afghanistan veteran the chance to become a small-business owner of a YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise. YELLOW DAWG STRIPING works with businesses to create clean, crisp lines and traffic markings to enhance safety, comply with laws and make parking lots more attractive.

“As a U.S. military veteran myself, I understand firsthand the hardships and challenges veterans can face as they transition into civilian life,” said Child, a former Army soldier and Air Force pilot. “We hope to relieve the burden of transition for at least one returning serviceman (or woman) and feel that it is equally as important to bring awareness to the high rate of unemployment among the Iraq/Afghanistan veterans in our country. It is the least we can do as a franchise system to show our troops the support they deserve.” 

The Facebook promotion allows honorably discharged Iraq and Afghanistan U.S. military veterans to upload photos, text and/or video testimonials to the YELLOW DAWG STRIPING Facebook fan page explaining why they want to become a small-business owner. Each contestant is encouraged to share his or her video with friends and family on the social media platform to obtain as many ‘Like’ votes by May 20, 2011, Armed Forces Day. The top 10 videos with the most ‘Like’ votes will be reviewed and considered by a panel of seven judges, and the winner will be announced on Memorial Day, May 30, 2011.

In addition to waiving the $7,500 franchise fee, YELLOW DAWG STRIPING will provide a customized enclosed equipment trailer worth $5,500, hands-on training, business support systems and miscellaneous tools and uniforms.  Several select vendors have also donated to the giveaway. GRACO has donated a LineLazer IV 3900, state-of-the-art line striping machine worth $8,640.  The Sherwin-Williams Company has donated premium traffic paint valued at $2,100.  Dan Zurcher, a pavement marking industry expert and author, has provided a stencil starter kit valued at $1,500. And, Cygnus Business Media is granting two exposition packages to the 2012 National Pavement Expo in Memphis, Tennessee, worth $1,250.  The total retail value of the giveaway exceeds $28,000 in value.

“Our vendors have been highly supportive of our franchise giveaway campaign and we couldn’t thank them more for their kind contributions,” added Child. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to give away the YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise opportunity.”

Panel representatives include Child and his business partner, Brian Hayes, Dan Zurcher, Allan Heydorn, Editor of Pavement Magazine, representatives of the Sherwin-Williams company and Graco, and Mark Murphy, an Army veteran and owner of Southern New Hampshire’s YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise, who is also a YELLOW DAWG instructor.

In 1975, Child joined the United States Army and afterward attended college on the GI Bill. He was commissioned into the Air Force and served seven years as an Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot responsible for flying C-141s. Having received numerous commendations for his hard work and dedication, including the Air Medal, Child transitioned into civilian life as a pilot and captain for a major airline. It wasn’t until he lost his medical certificate that he decided to pursue entrepreneurship. After dabbling in his own start-up commodity-based business, Jack realized that driveway sealcoating was a highly fragmented industry with no real branding or standardization practices. He founded BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT, quickly grew it to 13 locations serving nine states and added complementary franchise concepts that include YELLOW DAWG STRIPING, BLUE DAWG POWER WASH, and RED DAWG INFARED, all operating under the BLACK DAWG Franchise Group umbrella.

“I wanted to bring uniformity and professionalism to an industry that lacks standardization,” said Child. “Today’s customers have come to expect interactions with highly skilled crews that are neat, friendly and professional. We pride ourselves on knowing that our customers feel secure that the job will be done the right way, the first time.”

YELLOW DAWG STRIPING offers new business investors the opportunity to start small and grow their business with other BLACK DAWG franchise concepts at 50 percent off the franchise fee. The home-based business opportunity is also a perfect add-on for individuals seeking to diversify thier portfolio as well as take advantage of, and capitalize on, cross marketing and sales of a multi-brand concept. An ideal YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise owner is an individual who likes to work outdoors, understands adherence to standards, is mission driven and wants to grow a business and eventually run it, not work it. BLACK DAWG Franchise Group also offers a 30 percent discount on its franchise fees for any honorably discharged U.S. military veteran. 

For more information on YELLOW DAWG STRIPING visit www.YellowDawgStriping.com.  For franchise opportunities please visit: www.FranchiseDawg.com or call 1-800-998-DAWG (3294). For the Facebook contest visit: www.Facebook.com/YellowDawgStriping.

About BLACK DAWG Franchise Group

BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT was founded in 2005 by Jack Child, a U.S. Army and Air Force military veteran. BLACK DAWG began offering line striping services in 2006, and demand quickly outpaced capacity. To better manage the line striping needs of customers, BLACK DAWG formed YELLOW DAWG STRIPING in 2009. Today, YELLOW DAWG STRIPING has six units operating in eight states with 50 new locations planned to open during the next four years. YELLOW DAWG STRIPING prides itself on its professional attitude and behavior while performing jobs and treats clients’ property with respect and the utmost care. The company works with a high degree of environmental consciousness and in accordance with all safety procedures. Additional BLACK DAWG Franchise Group concepts include BLUE DAWG POWER WASH and RED DAWG INFARED. For more information, please visit www.FranchiseDawg.com or visit us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YellowDawgStriping.