Dave Duffy | From Smooth Operator to Making Smoothies; Green Beret Turns Franchise Owner

On this installment of Return to Base, I welcome Dave Duffy. Dave is a retired Special Forces officer who now, in addition to doing business development in the defense contractor industry, is the proud owner/operator of two Tropical Smoothie franchises in Columbia, SC. 

Dave and I dig into his service, to include his time at the United States Military Academy at West Point where he played football before moving onto rugby. We discuss how his career in Special 

Forces helped him build a network that continues to do right by him even 14 years after leaving the service. It really is “who you know;” his network and experience helped him land several jobs contracting for the U.S. Military. 

Eventually, Dave and his wife found an investment opportunity with a business they frequently patronized - the Tropical Smoothie. Dave walks us through what being a franchise owner is like, the day to day, the annoying, and the rewards. As a fellow veteran, I’ve received way too many calls asking me if I was interested in becoming a franchise owner. Why? Well, as it turns out, veterans are great business owners and franchise partners. Franchises understand that and see veteran ownership as a risk mitigation strategy.

So sit back. Relax. Blend some fruit. And welcome Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Dave Duffy.

If you are interested in connecting with Dave to ask him about defense contracting or franchise ownership, his LinkedIn is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-duffy/