Baskin-Robbins is planning to grow, and it's looking to the U.S. military to help them do it.

More accurately, the world's largest ice-cream specialty shop chain has created development incentives that offer discounts on royalties and initial franchise fees to military veterans and new franchisees. Under its 2014 National Development Incentives plan, honorably discharged military veterans who sign an agreement this year and develop their shops before the end of 2015 will have the 20-year initial franchisee fee ($25,000) for their first restaurant, and be charged a 0 percent royalty rate for the first two years. Years three through five will see a reduced royalty rate. Veterans who sign multi-unit agreements will be extended a 20 percent discount on the 20-year initial franchise fee for up to four additional shops, as well as a 10-year payment plan.

“Having previously served as a U.S. Army Officer myself, I am proud that we as a company are able to provide deep incentives to our nation's military heroes,” said Bill Mitchell, President, Baskin-Robbins U.S. and Canada, and Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins China, Japan and Korea–and a retired U.S. Army Captain. “Over the years, we have found that the leadership skills and training our military veterans obtain during their service translates well to a franchise like Baskin-Robbins, which is built around established operational processes and systems.”