Question 1

What is the best home care franchise to buy?

Accepted Answer

The "best" franchise depends on your capital, experience, and market. By median franchisee revenue, the top 3 in our dataset are Home Instead, BrightStar Care, Visiting Angels. However, higher revenue doesn't always mean higher profit — compare total fee loads, territory exclusivity, and franchisor financial health before deciding. Our franchise profiles include FDD-sourced data on revenue, fees, risks, and contract terms for each brand.

Question 2

How much does it cost to start a home care franchise?

Accepted Answer

Initial investment ranges from roughly $80K for home-based models (like ACASA Senior Care or Prime Senior Placement) to $300K+ for office-based skilled care franchises (like BrightStar Care or Boost Home Healthcare). The median investment across 24 franchises in our dataset is approximately $146K. This includes the franchise fee, training, insurance, marketing, equipment, and 3-6 months of working capital.

Question 3

How much money can you make owning a home care franchise?

Accepted Answer

Median franchisee revenue across our dataset is approximately $986K. Top-performing systems like Home Instead report median revenue of $2.3M. However, revenue is not profit — after caregiver labor (typically 55-65% of revenue), office costs, royalties, and marketing, owner take-home is typically 10-25% of gross revenue. Each franchise profile on Carezano includes actual FDD-disclosed revenue data.

Question 4

What is the difference between medical and non-medical home care franchises?

Accepted Answer

Non-medical home care franchises provide companion care, personal care, and homemaker services — no clinical licensure required beyond state home care registration. Medical/skilled home care franchises (like BrightStar Care or Boost Home Healthcare) provide nursing, therapy, and Medicare-certified services — requiring state health facility licensing, accreditation (e.g., Joint Commission), and clinical staff (RNs, PTs). Medical franchises typically have higher revenue per patient but significantly higher regulatory complexity and startup costs.

Question 5

What fees do home care franchises charge?

Accepted Answer

Most home care franchises charge a royalty fee of 4-6% of gross revenue plus a marketing/brand fund fee of 1-2%. Technology fees range from $100-$500/month. Some franchises also require minimum royalty payments regardless of sales, local advertising minimums ($500-$1,500/month), and annual conference attendance ($500-$1,000). The total ongoing fee load typically runs 7-13% of gross revenue. Compare the "Fee Schedule" section on each franchise profile for exact amounts.

Question 6

Do I need healthcare experience to own a home care franchise?

Accepted Answer

Most non-medical home care franchises do not require prior healthcare experience — they provide training on operations, compliance, and caregiving management. For example, BrightStar Care reports that 75% of their franchisees had no prior healthcare experience. However, medical/skilled care franchises may require a Registered Nurse on staff. Business management, sales, and people management skills are generally more important than clinical background.

Question 7

How long does it take to open a home care franchise?

Accepted Answer

Timeline varies significantly by franchise and state licensing requirements. Non-medical franchises typically open in 30-120 days. Medical/skilled franchises like Boost Home Healthcare take 12-15 months due to state licensing, accreditation (ACHC), and Medicare certification. Training programs range from 35 hours (Caring Transitions) to 130 hours (Right at Home). Check each franchise profile for specific timelines.

Franchises

Quick Picks

Seniors Helping Seniors

Synergy HomeCare

TheKey (formerly Home Care Assistance)

Touching Hearts at Home

Visiting Angels

Your Choice Senior Care

Franchise Profitability Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Compare features across vendors