York County businessman Larry Kohler, left, receives an award from VFW National Commander Brian Duffy for helping boost the Unmet Needs program, which to date have raised more than $200,000 for veterans and families who face economic hardships related to military service. SUBMITTED PHOITO
During the VFW’s 118th National Convention this fall, VFW members recognized Larry Kohler, a Vietnam veteran and CEO of Mastoran Corp., for his leadership promoting the Unmet Needs program in Burger King restaurants across New England.
VFW National Commander Brian Duffy presented Kohler with an award and thanked him for helping boost the Unmet Needs program, which to date has raised more than $200,000 for veterans and families who face economic hardships related to military service.
“I appreciate this honor from the VFW, but the recognition really belongs to the thousands of patriotic customers in New England who enthusiastically support the Unmet Needs program by donating their hard-earned money through our restaurants,” Kohler said.
He’s a veteran of the U.S. Army who earned a Bronze Star for service as an infantry sergeant in Vietnam. In 1985, Larry and his wife Paige founded Mastoran Corp., which operates Burger King restaurants in Portland, Gorham, Windham, Sanford, Biddeford and Kittery in Maine.
While accepting the award at the convention in New Orleans, Kohler called his wife Paige to the stage to thank her publically for her weekly letters of support that helped him get through his tour in Vietnam, and for their 47-year marriage.
He also praised Mike and Sherry DeRosa, Burger King franchisees from Wisconsin, who first proposed the idea of sponsoring the Unmet Needs program.
“Mike and Sherry were the ones who said Burger King should grab onto this effort,” Kohler said. “This wasn’t my idea originally, I just jump on good ideas and try to make them even better.”
Established in 2004, the VFW Unmet Needs program provides grants of up to $5,000 to service members and military to help cover necessities like rent, mortgage and utility payments, vehicle repair, medical expenses and food.
Since its inception, the program has distributed more than $7.9 million in assistance.
Burger King became a national sponsor in 2007, and throughout the month of November, participating Burger King restaurants promote the Unmet Needs program, asking customers to donate $1 or more, with 100 percent of that money going directly to the VFW program.
In 2016, the Unmet Needs program hit a new record for annual support, distributing more than $2 million that year to help nearly 900 families.
“I believe deeply we need to reach out to all our veterans, and let them know there is help when they need it,” Kohler said. “And we look forward to another strong effort this year, as we ask people across New England, and across the country, to help veterans and their families by contributing to Unmet Needs throughout the month of November.”
The Kohler Family established Mastoran Corporation in 1985 with Burger King restaurants in Waltham and Stoneham, Massachusetts, and have since grown the company through new restaurant development and by acquisition. It now has 1,200 employees working at 42 Burger King restaurants across Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Paige Kohler has since retired, but Larry Kohler remains the CEO of Mastoran, with day-to-day operations now led by their son Brek Kohler, who has worked at every level of the company and now serves as its president.
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