El Vecino is more than just a store; it’s a lifeline for millions of Hispanic immigrants in the United States. With a community-focused approach, El Vecino offers essential financial, and telecommunications services designed specifically to serve unbanked and under-served Hispanic communities. From money transfers and bill payments to top-up services and telecom products, each location acts as a central hub where customers can manage their financial needs and stay connected to their loved ones in Latin America.

Founded by Mike Burns, El Vecino was built on the vision of empowering Hispanic communities by providing easy access to financial services in a familiar, supportive environment. With over 16 million unbanked Hispanics not using digital platforms for financial needs, El Vecino bridges this gap, offering affordable and reliable solutions tailored to their unique circumstances.

As an El Vecino franchisee, you’re not just investing in a business—you’re becoming a trusted neighbor, a guide, and a vital resource for immigrants navigating life in the U.S. With proven success over 15 years, El Vecino has processed over one million money transfers and served countless families, demonstrating its strong and sustainable business model. Franchisees benefit from comprehensive training, expert site selection assistance, and ongoing support to ensure their success.

With a modest initial investment and a dedicated support team, opening an El Vecino franchise is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while tapping into a thriving market. If you’re passionate about making a difference in your community and want a proven business model with strong growth potential, El Vecino could be the perfect fit for you. Step into a role that’s more than business—become a pillar of your neighborhood with El Vecino.

Day in the life of the franchisee

As the owner-operator of an El Vecino store, you’ll begin each day by preparing your retail location to serve the Hispanic community’s essential financial and telecommunications needs. Handling cash transactions is critical, as the majority of services involve cash for international and domestic money transfers, check cashing, and bill payments. Ensuring compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations and preventing fraud is a key part of your daily routine, along with updating the financial systems and closing out the register at the end of each shift.

Throughout the day, you will assist customers with services like money transfers—our most frequent transaction—offering both international and domestic options. You’ll also handle check cashing, bill pay services (both domestic and international), and sales of locked and unlocked phones, SIM cards, and prepaid mobile plans. Top-up services for mobile phones (both domestic and international) are another major offering, along with pin-less top-ups that provide added convenience for your customers.

Beyond financial and telecom services, El Vecino serves as a resource hub for the community. You will offer free notary services, facilitate raffles and loyalty programs, and engage with the local community by sponsoring and participating in events. These activities not only build strong relationships with your customers but also position your store as a trusted neighborhood resource center.

The day-to-day operations also involve staying organized, managing inventory, maintaining store compliance, and overseeing promotional activities that drive customer engagement. Your role as a franchisee is central to the success of the business and the community it serves.

Candidate Buying Points

• Low initial investment
• Owner-operator model
• Community-focused business
• Established brand with renowned suppliers
• Competitive advantage
• Comprehensive support and training
• Proven success
• Flexible service offerings

Ideal Candidate:

All candidates must be fluent in Spanish. El Vecino is the first Hispanic centric financial and telecommunications services franchise. As a brick-and-mortar retail opportunity, we seek self-starter entrepreneurs who want to control their financial destiny by serving their culture, building a community minded, neighborhood resource center to fulfill the needs of the Hispanic community. Excellent customer service skills (or strong willingness to learn) with relationship building desire to build a repeat customer base. El Vecino offers underserved neighbors’ financial tools, telecom products and services in a one stop shop environment. Candidates must have a strong willingness to learn, train, and adhere to the financial policies and procedures set forth by El Vecino, as well as comply with the strict regulatory standards required by money transfer companies and federal agencies.

First Value:

Belonger - Hands-on business builder focused on long-term relationships and customer satisfaction. Motivated by a deeply rooted moral code they are hardworking and committed to providing for and protecting their loved ones. Family and security defines success for the Belonger. They favor proven, practical service or solution-based businesses.

Second Value:

Achiever - A tenacious business builder, never satisfied until they dominate the market. Motivated by accomplishment, they have a goal-oriented lifestyles and a deep commitment to success. Results, respect and control define success for the Achiever. They prefer unique, scalable, quality service and business-to-business or solution-oriented concepts.

First Competency:

Admin & Customer Service - They are good listeners, problem-solvers and understand that quality service is the competitive advantage of attracting clients and retaining business.

Second Competency:

Finance & Operations - They manage cash flow, current assets, and capital investments. They measure progress and adjust procedures and processes accordingly keeping the business on track with goals and initiatives.

First Personality/Workstyle:

Connector - People in this group are warm, supportive, and great at cultivating relationships. They are the most people-oriented of the four styles. With their relaxed disposition, people find them approachable and understanding. They have developed strong networks of people who are willing to be mutually supportive and reliable. They are team players and somewhat risk-averse. They are good planners, persistent workers, and good with follow-through. They are problem-solvers and consensus-makers.

Second Personality/Workstyle:

Thinker - People in this group are analytical, persistent, systematic, and excellent problem solvers. Thinker Styles tend to be detail-oriented, which makes them more concerned with content than style. Their strengths include an eye for detail and accuracy, independence, dependability, persistence, follow-through, and organization.