How Two Air Force Veterans Found a New Mission as Burn Franchise Partners

For Patrick and Wendy Wilkerson, leaving the U.S. Air Force did not mean leaving behind the qualities they developed while serving.

Leadership. Accountability. Teamwork. Structure. A commitment to something beyond themselves. Today, they bring those qualities to their roles as Burn Boot Camp Franchise Partners and owners of Burn Boot Camp North Charlotte in North Carolina.

It wasn't a transition they had mapped out. Wendy's introduction to Burn began not as a prospective business owner, but as a Member.

A Story that Begins in England

Patrick and Wendy both served in the U.S. Air Force and met while stationed in England. Their military experience helped them develop leadership skills and confidence while reinforcing the importance they placed on service and community. Those experiences have remained relevant long after their time in uniform ended.

After leaving the Air Force, Wendy worked for a number of companies but never envisioned franchise ownership as her eventual destination. Her path there began when Patrick purchased a Burn Camp session for her.

She connected with the experience, and over time, her relationship with Burn continued to grow. She went from Member to Fitness Ambassador to Trainer and, eventually, Franchise Partner.

When Burn Became More Than a Gym

Experiencing Burn from different perspectives gave her an increasingly close look at the brand. However, attending a Burn Summit as a Trainer changed everything.

There, Wendy learned more about Burn's direction and saw examples of the impact its gyms were having beyond their walls. The brand's community involvement resonated with values she already held, as did its focus on women and families.

What had started as a place to work out was rapidly becoming something she could see herself being part of in a much bigger way.

“I knew I needed structure and a sense of purpose beyond myself,” Wendy says.

Patrick had also been watching her experience with Burn unfold. As the couple began considering entrepreneurship, they saw value in joining an established franchise system rather than having to build every aspect of a business independently.

Just as importantly, they wanted a business that would allow them to contribute to the people around them. Eventually, those priorities led them to Burn franchise ownership.

Living Their Principles in a New Setting

Opening their North Charlotte gym put Patrick and Wendy in an entirely different environment than the one they had known in the Air Force. However, they soon began recognizing many of the same principles at work they had valued during their military service.

However, they began recognizing in other people the everyday practice of familiar principles.

“The structure and camaraderie at Burn reminded me of my time in the Air Force,” Wendy says.

Patrick saw another parallel in the support surrounding Franchise Partners. “As a franchise partner, you are never on your own,” he says. “You’re surrounded by all the support you need to be successful.”

For him, that support has included guidance and encouragement, along with being challenged to continue improving as an owner.

Franchise ownership is not military service, but the skills and habits Patrick and Wendy developed while serving remained highly relevant when their Air Force careers ended.

Structure, accountability, teamwork and following a process all found new applications as they learned to operate their gym and lead a team.

Leadership With a New Purpose

For Patrick, franchise ownership has provided another opportunity to apply and continue developing skills he gained during his military service.

At their Burn gym, he and Wendy have watched Members change physically and emotionally. Seeing that progress has given them a renewed sense of purpose and connection.

The impact goes both ways, as they credit their Members with helping them grow as entrepreneurs and as people.

Their roles may be different today than they were in the military, but the ability to guide others, work toward shared goals and continue developing themselves remains important to how they approach their business.

What They Want Other Veterans to Know

Patrick and Wendy's experience with Burn has also shaped the advice they give to veterans considering franchise ownership.

For her, one of the most important considerations is whether an opportunity reflects the prospective owner's own values. She also believes veterans should look closely at the relationship a franchise brand strives to build with its Franchise Partners.

Don't invest in a Company That Won't Invest in You

When looking at a franchise opportunity, Wendy suggests people fully understand what resources are available to them and think carefully about what they need in order to be successful.

Patrick similarly emphasizes doing the necessary homework before making a commitment to a specific franchise. “Research the opportunity, talk directly with the franchisor and learn how the organization operates,” he says.

The VetFran Program

Burn Boot Camp participates in the International Franchise Association's VetFran Program, with eligibility and financial incentive details outlined in our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Through the program, qualifying veterans and active-duty service members may receive a 15% reduction on the initial franchise fee, subject to the eligibility requirements outlined in Burn's FDD.

Applying Their Military Experience to a New Mission

As Burn owners, Patrick and Wendy bring qualities developed during their years in the Air Force, as well as a continuing desire to make an impact on others.

“We went from serving our country to serving our community,” she says with a smile.

Learn More About Burn

If Patrick and Wendy’s story has you thinking about where your own military experience could take you next, Burn Boot Camp could be the next chapter you've been looking for.