Own a Business? The Army & Air Force Exchange Service Wants You!
SAN ANTONIO – Businesses large and small wanting to grow their brands while making life better for Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families can turn to the Exchange.
“The sky is the limit on partnering with the Exchange, and we want to be your partner,” Exchange Chief Operating Officer Jason Rosenberg told attendees at the Association of Defense Communities Installation Innovation Forum in San Antonio on Nov. 1. “Businesses can grow with the Exchange, and together, we strengthen military communities.”
Rosenberg and Senior Vice President for Real Estate Mike Smietana spoke at the Reinvigorating Installation MWR breakout session during the forum, encouraging businesses—from name brands to start-ups— to consider partnering with the Exchange.
The Exchange is a launch pad for businesses of all sizes, including mall kiosks, micromarkets, storefronts like Grunt Style at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and food trucks—even a surf shop in Hawaii. Trending name-brand restaurants, like Slim Chickens, Qdoba and Hunt Brothers Pizza, have grown because of their partnerships with the Department of Defense’s largest retailer.
For example, Rosenberg said, the Exchange opened its first Hunt Brothers at Fort Hood’s III Corps Express in 2013. Since then, the brand has grown to more than 60 Exchange locations, with sales tracking to exceed $20 million in sales in 2021.
“This success demonstrates the power of what’s on the installation in terms of revenue and the opportunity the Exchange provides,” he said.
The Exchange is a partner in installation readiness and resiliency and fully nested with installation commands. In the last 10 years, the Exchange benefit has provided $3.4 billion in earnings for critical military Quality-of-Life programs such as outfitting 700,000 Warfighters at cost annually, providing school meal support for Department of Defense Education Activity facilities overseas and delivering needed services to locations impacted by natural disasters.
The Exchange operates in all 50 states and more than 30 countries, with more 3,600 mall stores, kiosks, wellness and personal services worldwide.
The Exchange supports multiple business models. Rosenberg touted the benefits of partnering with the Exchange including:
- Opportunities for Veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses
- Strong environment for testing new products
- Flexible leases and fees
- Welcoming environment for entrepreneurs
“We are always looking for partners and diversity,” Rosenberg said. “The Exchange can be a good fit for your business.”
The Exchange is seeking retail wholesale businesses, long- and short-term concessions, personal services, vending, restaurants and more. Those interested in doing business with should visit ShopMyExchange.com and scroll to “Doing Business with the Exchange” under “About the Exchange” at the bottom of the page.
