Military Veterans Enlist as Fitness Franchise Owners in CKO Kickboxing Veterans Receive 20 Percent Discount on Initial Franchise Fee

HOBOKEN, N.J., Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh from their military service, several veterans are using their skills in leadership and training to start their own business with a CKO Kickboxing franchise.

The company is a military friendly franchise and offers veterans a 20 percent discount on the initial franchise fee.

Salvatore A. Ferrara, who served two tours of duty in Iraq, now owns CKO Kickboxing franchises in Lodi, South Hackensack and Wallington, N.J.

"I have been involved with the CKO Kickboxing family for over 10 awesome years as a trainer and as a franchise owner for over 3 years. I'm a firm believer of the words of Confucius, 'Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life,'" says Ferrara, who was not only responsible for training his unit, but for training Iraqi Military soldiers.

"One of the best things about CKO Kickboxing is that I get to help people of all different fitness levels get into great shape. I encourage all returning veterans to consider getting involved in a military-approved franchise such as CKO Kickboxing; for me, it's been one of the best things I've ever done!"

Investing in a CKO Kickboxing franchise was a natural use for the skills he developed in the military.

"The military teaches you to be disciplined and focused in every endeavor you approach. The military's approach about responsibility, the maturity you gain, and working as a team, all make you a better person. It teaches life lessons that are impossible to learn anywhere else," says Ferrara, who first considered joining the armed services after high school, as a path towards seeing the world and receiving an education. In 1999, he joined as an active soldier. "After 9/11, I was deployed to Iraq, and it made me much more appreciative of the rights and freedoms we enjoy as Americans," he says.

"Veterans have a background that is very good for this business. They have undergone a lot of training. They know how to train people in a group setting. They lived it. They are designed to do this," said Joe Andreula, Founder of CKO Kickboxing, currently ranked in the Franchise 500 by industry-standard Entrepreneur Magazine.

The newest CKO Kickboxing facility will open in December in Jacksonville, N.C., which is home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Camp Geiger, Camp Johnson, and Marine Corps Air Station New River. The owners are military veterans Michael and Sarah Bentley who enlisted in the United States Marine Corps together on September 11, 2006. After boot camp the Bentleys were stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. During their active duty service they were both deployed to Al-Taqaddum Air Base in Iraq.

"I will always be thankful for the experience, confidence, and opportunities introduced to me by the United States Marine Corps," she said.

They are creating programs for the military and their spouses, including Bridal Boot Camp and Homecoming Boot Camp, for spouses committed to becoming fit for the return of their deployed loved ones. Veterans and their immediate family members will receive a military discount for each adult membership.

Investing in a franchise offers new entrepreneurs several advantages, says Joseph Andreula, Founder of CKO Kickboxing.

"When you invest in a franchise you are investing in a proven system. You don't have to reinvent the wheel," he said. "Investing into that proven formula means individuals who always dreamed of being their own boss can tilt the odds in their favor."

CKO Kickboxing could be the perfect way for veterans to use their talents and be their own bosses by running their own businesses.

"Many people dream of owning their own sports fitness franchises but they don't know the first thing about kickboxing classes in a group fitness setting. They know they have a passion to run this kind of business. We can help supplement their business know-how with the industry-specific knowledge that we can provide," Andreula said.

CKO supports new franchise owners in many ways, including training, marketing, and group buying power.

"We're looking for franchise owners who love helping people through fitness, can execute a game plan and who are results-oriented. We're looking for a person who has the motivation to excel! You must have a minimum of $50k in liquid capital," he said.

There are 23 locations in the New York/New Jersey Area. The company is planning to expand nationwide.

"Before we choose a location, we choose a key person who we know can shine. Our franchisees must be passionate, inspirational and want to help others," he said.

For more information about franchising, go to http://www.ckokickboxing.com  

Contact:

Joseph Andreula
[email protected]  
201-963-7774

Salvatore A. Ferrara
201-286-1508

SOURCE CKO Kickboxing