Enlistment has been brisk for 7-Eleven's first franchise giveaway contest offered exclusively to U.S. military veterans. With the Jan. 25 deadline less than two weeks away, more than 1,200 veterans have successfully applied for the corporate give-away called, "Operation: Take Command."

The winner will receive a waiver of the franchise fee, valued at up to $190,000, for any of the company's 7-Eleven convenience stores available in the continental U.S. at the time the contest ends. Interested veterans, who are first-time 7-Eleven franchise applicants, can enter online at www.VeteransFranchiseGiveaway.com through Jan. 25. The winner will be announced in April.

"Not only have we received a high number of applications, but also high-caliber candidates that I think would make great franchisees for 7-Eleven," said Greg Franks, vice president of the company's Franchise Systems. "From our veterans, I would expect nothing less."

Besides their military experience, many of the veterans who have applied have earned college degrees and possess business, retail and management skills.

Many vets are naturals for business:

"We have already had veterans who are so enthusiastic to start their own business, they don't want to even wait to see whether they win," Franks said.  "They are already going through the 7-Eleven franchising process to select and open a store. And in the true military tradition of selfless service, some have said they want to give up their chance at winning to a vet who might need the franchise fee waiver more than themselves."

To qualify for the Operation: Take Command franchise giveaway, an entrant must be over the age of 21, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, an honorably discharged veteran, have excellent credit and at least three years of leadership, retail or restaurant experience. Contestants will go through the same qualification process as all 7-Eleven franchise applicants including interviews, credit evaluation, a leadership test, preparing a business plan and budget, and location preferences.

Top Photo: 7-Eleven franchisee, veteran Charles Williams, Copperas Cove, TX