Franchising Magazine USA Feature Senior Care

may 2023

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COVER STORY

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tH e Un PARAllele D Bene FI ts

o F oW n I n G mU lt IPle FRAnc HI se

loc At I ons Un D e R o ne

In DUst RY- le ADI n G n et Wo R k

Rec R uiting the

Best owne R s fo R

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s E nior car E F ranchising

Franchisor in Depth

42 Tootl Transport: new Franchise Fills a Market Demand

48 Synergy Homecare: poised for continued growth

52 Griswold: Welcomes nationally-Known policy analyst and gerontologist

54 American Family Care: continues to grow with a commitment to Excellence and personalized service for all

56 TruBlue Total House Care: a growing home Maintenance and handyman Franchise Believes aging in place starts with a safe home

58 Town Square:

Entrepreneur Specializing in Driver Safety Opens s en I o R s HelPI n G s en I o R s® Franchise

After nearly two decades in the driver’s education industry helping seniors, Kurt Gray opened Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise, the senior homecare concept that prioritizes hiring mature adults to care for their less active counterparts in in Virginia serving Alexandria, m ount Vernon, Burke, Newington, Falls Church and Annandale.

g ray served as the Director of Driver Education at aaa club alliance for 17 years and worked for Driver training for 19 years after ten years in retail management. h e retired early and decided to open his own traffic safety business. t hat opportunity allowed him to work closely with seniors and their families and realize the 9-5 work life wasn’t for him. g ray began searching for business opportunities to pursue that would allow him to control his own schedule and provide a meaningful service to his community. n ow, he’s launching his own s eniors h elping s eniors® business to help fill the gap and bring care and companionship to the Metro springfield community. t he brand stands apart in the in-home care industry by prioritizing the hiring of active seniors to help their less active counterparts.

in addition to providing in-home care for local seniors, g ray decided to open s eniors h elping s eniors® location to provide job opportunities to a sector of the labor market that is typically overlooked: seniors themselves.

“ s eniors h elping s eniors® in-home services stuck out to me because of my past work with seniors. t he brand’s business model seemed very familiar to me, and it was meaningful work. i wanted to be able to bring my expertise to the table. With my s eniors h elping s eniors® franchise, i can do just that,” g ray said.

comFo RcAR

of Vancouver, WA Employee Recognized as 2022 Caregiver of the Year

e

ComForCare, a franchised provider of in-home caregiving services, announced the Caregiver of the year at the company’s 20th annual conference. m aryann Lakey, a ComForCare

Home Care caregiver in Vancouver, WA, was named the 2022 Caregiver of the year for her outstanding service and exemplary care. She was invited to Henderson, Nevada to attend the annual dinner and award ceremony.

“Maryann is highly skilled, extremely knowledgeable, and a team player who has consistently displayed and promoted the highest ethical standards,” said Debi Kyle, franchise owner of comFor c are in Vancouver. “ h er willingness to work overtime, her dedication to champion each client’s needs, and her compassion for caring has made her a superstar to many of her clients and to her team.

t he c aregiver of the year is a distinguished award recognizing a caregiver who exemplifies comFor c are’s core values and goes above and beyond by demonstrating extraordinary commitment to clients and families.

o ne example of Maryann going above and beyond was when she stepped in to plan a celebration for a special client turning 100 years old. o ne obstacle was to figure out how to get the client in his hospital bed to the dining area. Maryann suggested reaching out to the EM t ’s who had assisted him over the years. t hey willingly agreed to come and assist in moving his hospital bed and equipment to the party location. it was done at no charge to the family. it was a remarkable celebration that the family and the community enjoyed. Maryann has a whole roster of clients who continually look forward to her visits.

For more information on ComForCare, visit www.comforcare.com.

cAR ePAt R ol Named a Top 50 Franchise for Women by Franchise Business Review

markets and to ensure the well-being and care of their clients.”

Franchise Business r eview (FBr), a franchise research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only rankings of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business r eview publishes its rankings of top franchises in its annual g uide to today’s top Franchises, as well as in quarterly reports throughout the year that rank the top franchises in specific sectors.

c arepatrol was among 322 franchise brands, representing over 8,100 female franchise owners, that participated in Franchise Business r eview’s research on the top Franchises for Women.

CarePatrol, the nation’s largest senior care solutions organization, was identified by Franchise Business Review as being one of only 50 franchises to qualify as a 2023 Top Franchise for Women.

“Being acknowledged as a leading

franchise for women and knowing that franchisees have a high level of satisfaction within the system is extremely satisfying,” said Becky Bongiovanni, co-founder and brand president of c arepatrol. “o ur team is dedicated to equipping our franchise partners with the necessary tools and resources to excel in their respective

c arepatrol’s franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including leadership, training & support, financial opportunity, and work/life balance.

To learn more about CarePatrol, visit www.CarePatrol.com/franchising

comFo RcAR e/At Yo UR sID e Home cAR e Named a Certified 2023 Great Place to Work in the United States and Canada

and their hard work and dedication is critical to ensuring client satisfaction.

ComForCare, a franchised provider of inhome caregiving services, has recently received the honor of being named one of the 2023 Best Workplaces™ by Great Place To Work® in the united States and Canada. This marks the third consecutive year ComForCare has earned this prestigious certification in the u.S. and the second year in a row in Canada.

t his award confirms the positive

workplace culture comFor c are/at your side franchisees have cultivated, as well as the brand’s emphasis on helping others live their best lives.

“ it’s an honor to be certified on the Best Workplaces in the U. s . and c anada list for consecutive years,” said J.J. s orrenti, cEo of Best Life Brands, parent company to comFor c are/at your side h ome c are.

“c aregivers are at the heart of our mission,

g reat place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture, certifies employers based on how fairly employees are treated. in addition, companies are assessed on how well they create an exceptional employee experience that cuts across race, gender, age, or any other aspect of an employee’s character or role.

Earning g reat place to Work certification proves that a company has an excellent employee experience, validated by their own staff. certification is entirely based on what employees say, especially how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Being certified™ provides a company with a literal badge of excellence.

t he u npa R allele D Benefits of owning Multiple fR anchise locations u n D e R o ne i n D ust RY- lea D ing n etwo R k

I have been a dedicated franchise owner and President at BrightStar Care of Leesburg, VA since 2016. I have established my location as a leading home care provider in the Leesburg area and am thrilled to have the opportunity to expand my business within the BrightStar Care franchise system.

I just took the plunge and am opening sixteen new BrightStar Care franchise units across Maryland, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. With this expansion, I am increasing my home care portfolio within BrightStar Care’s trusted network which delivers proven superior clinical outcomes for clients and multiple revenue streams for franchisees. For entrepreneurs and franchise owners looking to take their franchise investments to the next level, operating multiple units within the same network is a surefire way to ensure the prosperity and longevity of your franchise footprint.

the benefits of owning multiple franchise locations

With multiple franchise locations, comes multiple streams of revenue for your business. Now that I have expanded into sixteen new territories, I am increasing my return which means I have more capital to invest in my business operations, my employees, and service offerings for my clientele.

By owning multiple agencies, I also increased my overall market share across several states and now have the

Multiple Brightstar Care Franchisee Daniel Price

opportunity to provide competitive paying, highly skilled healthcare jobs for eligible Registered Nurses, nurses, caregivers, and administrative and support staff in several communities. I am thrilled to bring an abundance of new jobs to the communities of Harrisburg, VA, Winchester, VA, Gainesville, VA, Woodbridge, VA, Waldorf, MD, St Mary’s, MD, Upper Marlboro, MD, Washington, DC, Gaithersburg, MD, Burtonsville, MD, Bethesda, VA, Hyattsville, MD, Rockville, MD, Morgantown, WV, and Charleston, WV with my newly established home care agencies. Each new agency provides a higher standard of quality care to new seniors, families, and individuals in need of home care services in these communities.

How to decide the right market to expand your franchise into.

After acquiring my first BrightStar Care location, I quickly developed a firm grasp on the home care market and the demographics of individuals who would benefit from and require home care. As

an expert in the home care franchising, I used the successful recipe I established in Leesburg to launch my new agencies and expand the territories I operate in. My ability to successfully train and hire new healthcare staff who can deliver a higher standard of care, also helped guide my decision to expand my franchise footprint.

When expanding your franchise, one of the first things to do is to identify regions that need your services. For me, I found regions where there was a lack of home care or healthcare options that were up to the same standards of service as BrightStar Care. I also considered the number of seniors and families in the area who would potentially need home care services or who are eligible to receive care in the home.

Additionally, when entering a new territory, it is important to understand the overall demographics of the region you are targeting. Do your research and consider what competitors exist in the territories you’re looking to break into. Identify who your ideal consumer is and how you will reach them in this new market. Once you’ve secured details about demographics and reach, consider how you will maintain client loyalty for the long haul so you can become the provider of choice for your intended audience in that market.

Why I chose Brightstar care to grow my franchise footprint and expand my investment

I have experienced and have found so much value in being a BrightStar Care franchise owner and am passionate about being a member of an organization that provides high-quality care to people’s loved ones. The brand’s high standards and nearly network-wide Joint Commission accreditation was also a major value proposition for me and are the main reasons why I chose to invest further in the franchise concept. BrightStar Care is a proven model that drives results for franchisees, employees, and clients across the board.

A home care franchise is a recessionand pandemic-proof business model, which has proven invaluable during the turbulent times we have experienced over the last three years. Home care services are in high demand regardless of the world’s climate and especially important with the US population of seniors rising. As I diversify my agencies’ skilled care offerings there’s always a strong consumer need.

I am passionate about growing my business within the BrightStar Care franchise network. Now owning seventeen franchise locations across three states, I will make strides to continue to expand my footprint in the coming years. This expansion has been a lucrative business decision and has already had a positive impact on the new communities I am serving. Through heightened brand recognition I am already establishing my home care agencies as the employer of choice for dozens of new healthcare workers and the provider of choice for new families across the seven territories I’ve entered.

“ When expanding your franchise, one of the first things to do is to identify regions that need your services.

“ With multiple franchise locations, comes multiple streams of revenue for your business.

t he g olD en age of s enio R c a R e fR anchises

Get Your Hands on Hands-on care

Schedule flexibility with recurring monthly revenue sounds like a dream come true for any business owner. In-house senior care franchises can give you just that. These concepts can vary in the exact types of services they offer, but, for the most part, will offer 24/7 in-home care.

Mercy Works, a franchise based out of Kentucky, also offers specialized dementia and Alzheimer care, plus overnight services. Franchisees gain RMR thanks to their membership plans. All services are non-medical, making overhead lower with high margin services.

There are few things in life that are certain, but one thing is for sure — not one of us is getting any younger. more than 1 in 6 Americans are aged 65 years or older, over 17%, and that number is continuing to climb.

Around 80.8 million Americans will hit senior status by 2040, with all of the Baby Boomer generation hitting that golden 65 number by 2030. The U.S. is growing

grayer than ever thanks to increased access to healthcare, medical advancements, and an overall increase in life expectancy to just over 77 years old.

For franchising, senior care is a hot market that benefits everyone. As the numbers indicate, there is a huge, growing need for hands-on care, patient advocacy, better living options, general living assistance, and transition services. Lucky for us, there are several different senior-centric franchises out there to invest in.

the Power of a Home

A growing trend in the U.S. are homelike environments that allow senior adults to live within a neighborhood and in community with other residents without the staleness or negative connotation of a nursing home. Why take the services to a senior individual when you can bring them to you?

chris conner has worked in the franchise development industry for almost 20 years and helped over 600 brands franchise their brand and develop franchise distribution channels. he founded Franchise Marketing Systems in 2009, which now includes a team of 27 franchise consultants based in and Canada and supports brands around the world to grow and scale through franchise expansion. visit www.fmsfranchise.com for more information

Avendelle Assisted Living, an all-inclusive, customized senior living experience that was first launched in 2005, curates residential properties and turns them into multi-resident homes, complete with 24/7 staff and care. Places like this have an attractive profit potential due to less employee turnover and long-term clientele. As an added element to this type of franchise, buyers are building a robust real estate portfolio simultaneously.

Geriatric care management services

What goes on behind the scenes of the life of a senior adult, especially one with ongoing health issues and multiple medical visits, can be very overwhelming. Enter

— Geriatric Care Management. One of the companies leading the charge in this field is Premier RN Geriatric Care® This franchise provides its clients with advocacy during medical visits, support for socialization, distant family care, insurance policy review, relocation assistance, and other related services. Not only does this business work great on its own, but it can be an add-on to many other senior-focused businesses.

making life easier and safer

Around 84% of senior adults are wanting to age in place; adding a few upgrades to keep life easier and safer is key. There are various franchises out there that give their clients products to choose from to customize the house for a better fit. The Oakley Home Access Franchise is one such franchise that has a huge product line and service selection that will aid its clients in maintaining their independence and staying in their homes as long as possible. They offer full bathroom remodels, home modifications, wheelchair ramps, elevators, stairlifts, patient lifts, and other custom installations. This is a simple-to-operate model that can be operated from home and scales easily.

Investing in a senior care franchise can be extremely profitable, but this industry also has a wonderful element of positivity. These companies are investing in the mental, physical, and emotional care of their clientele, aiding the generations

before us in tangible, life-changing ways. All of the aforementioned franchises will continue to grow in demand and franchise buyers can feel good about helping others.

If you are looking for a senior care business of your own, Franchise Marketing Systems can help. Our team has helped over 700 businesses franchise and has helped connect hundreds of eager entrepreneurs with a business that is right for them.

Start the conversation by visiting us at www.fmsfranchise.com, emailing us at info@franchisemarketingsystems.com, or giving us a call at 800.610.0292.

AlwAys Best CAre’s FrAnChisee sAmAnthA loy hAs A pAssion For helpinG others

Samantha Loy is a local business owner with a passion for providing quality care to seniors in North Carolina’s Triad area. She has been immersed in the Always Best Care business – one of the leading senior care franchise systems in the United States, since 2012.

Samantha started her senior care journey when she began working at her mother’s Burlington, NC location, which is now Always Best Care of Alamance.

When the opportunity arose to carry on the family business by purchasing that territory in 2017, she didn’t think twice. Since then, she has expanded her business and acquired two additional Always Best Care businesses in central North Carolina,

one servicing Chapel Hill and Durham, and the other in Greensboro and High Point.

Loy’s dedication to providing quality care to seniors has been a driving force in her success. She believes that every senior deserves to live with dignity and independence and that her business can help make that a reality. Through her hard work and dedication, Loy has built a team of more than 170 caregivers who are committed to providing compassionate and personalized care to their clients.

Loy’s dedication to serving others does not end with providing care and comfort to seniors – she also is dedicated to helping others progress their entrepreneurial dreams within the business by mentoring employees who are interested in transitioning to a franchise owner. Loy is a shining example of employee turned owner and is adamant in her belief that being an employee and learning the ins and outs of the business – including perfecting all roles such as scheduler, recruiting, accounting, and more – have helped her succeed as a franchise owner. As Loy worked hard to master each of these “behind the scenes” roles, she also recognized that the responsibility of being the owner of a business comes hand-andhand with becoming the face of a business. This motivated Loy to ensure that she was also coached in marketing and community relations so she could showcase her services and effectively reach the local

community, with her best foot (and face) forward.

Another key to Loy’s success has been her focus on building strong relationships with both her clients and caregivers. She understands that the success of her business depends on the trust and loyalty of her clients, and she works hard to build and maintain those relationships. She also knows that her caregivers are the heart and soul of her business, and she makes sure to provide them with the support and resources they need to provide top-notch care.

Loy also prides herself on her leadership style and abides by the motto that “change is necessary for success.” Although there is not always comfort in change, she believes that change is vital to running a successful business. Loy’s open-door policy encourages her team members to share their opinions and speak up if they believe an operation could be more efficient. That alone has set Loy apart from others in the franchise system. According to Loy, “you have to find what works by being open to change.”

Loy’s expansion into the Chapel Hill, Durham, Greensboro, and High Point areas is a testament to her business acumen and

her commitment to the community. She saw an opportunity to expand her business and provide more seniors with the care they need, and she took action to make that happen.

As she continues to grow her business, Loy remains committed to her core values of compassion, respect, and dignity. She knows that every senior she serves deserves to be treated with kindness and understanding, and she works hard to make sure that her team is providing the highest level of care possible.

Samantha Loy is a local business owner who is making a real difference in the lives of seniors in her community. Her commitment to providing quality care and building strong relationships has earned her the respect and admiration of her clients, caregivers, and the community at large. As she continues to carry on her entrepreneurial dreams by expanding her business, she’s excited to further her commitment to serving the seniors in her community and beyond.

“ Samantha’s commitment to providing quality care and building strong relationships has earned her the respect and admiration of her clients, caregivers, and the community at large.”

t ootl tr Ansport:

n ew Fr A n C hise Fills A

mA rket Dem A n D to provi D e

ACC essi Ble t r A nsportAtion For All

As the aging population in the country continues to grow exponentially, so does the need for non-emergency medical transportation (NEmT) services.

To meet this demand, Tootl Transport is planning to provide the country with reliable wheelchair accessible rides by opening franchises nationwide.

the Inspiring story Behind tootl transport

While working within the NEMT services industry in the early 2000s, Michelle Dacy was troubled by her observations that most NEMT businesses were focused more on quantity of rides instead of quality of service and customer care. Harnessing her entrepreneurial spirit, Dacy decided to do take control of the steering wheel. In 2012, she formed her own wheelchair

accessible transportation company in Chicago, putting passenger compassion and quality customer service above all else.

As positive reviews spread, Dacy’s NEMT business grew each year in revenues, with dozens of nursing homes, rehab centers, schools and individual families booking recurring rides across the entire Chicagoland area. Each day, Dacy felt inspired knowing the business was improving lives and filling a much-needed service in the community. Her husband, Tom Dacy, joined the business to help her continue to expand across the area.

Then, one fateful day in March 2020 while chatting during a walk with Debra Vilchis, her friend since childhood, Dacy confided to Vilchis a vision to take the business national. Her goal was to improve as many lives as possible by providing access to quality and reliable transportation for people of all abilities across the country. Vilchis – having 24 years’ experience in the franchising sector and serving

“ According to Insight Partners, the U.S. non-emergency medical transportation market is expected to nearly double from over $8.6 million in 2021 to $15.5 million by 2028. This growth is attributed to the country’s increasing aging population and an expanding need for routine medical treatments and care.

as president of a well-known franchise public relations firm – connected Dacy with franchise industry veterans Steve Greenbaum and Brad Fishman to help turn her dream into reality.

Franchising e xperts see High Demand, Recognize a Gem

Greenbaum and Fishman were impressed with Dacy’s business model. With no direct competitors at the national brand level,

strong growth potential, and low-overhead in the booming NEMT sector, they dove in to become investors and advisors. Their first move was a rebrand to the catchy name Tootl Transport. Next, in January of 2021, they launched a corporate-owned Tootl Transport in Milwaukee, WI. During the past two years, the Milwaukee location exceeded all business expectations – even during the peak of COVID and under the most challenging external economic conditions.

According to Insight Partners, the U.S. non-emergency medical transportation market is expected to nearly double from over $8.6 million in 2021 to $15.5 million by 2028. This growth is attributed to the country’s increasing aging population and an expanding need for routine medical treatments and care.

Tootl fills this demand, offering specialized transportation services to anyone (youths, adults and seniors) with temporary or permanent mobility or cognitive challenges, transporting them safely anywhere they need to go, including doctor appointments, rehabilitation sessions, school, grocery shopping, family gatherings and more. Tootl also partners with hospitals and residential facilities, bringing residents and patients to and from appointments and family gatherings.

„Our niche is providing transportation with exceptional service standards for people of all abilities,” Michelle Dacy said. “This is what everyone wants for their loved

ones. We are grateful for the opportunity to expand this much-needed service to people everywhere, and blessed to have the backing of franchising experts like Steve and Brad to help us make it happen.”

Franchising opportunity:

In February of 2023, Tootl announced the offering of franchise opportunities in select markets around the country. The strategy is to grow with single and multi-unit franchisees who have an entrepreneurial spirit, great interpersonal and organizational skills and a strong desire to serve their communities. Experience in the health care industry is a benefit, but not required. Including the franchise fee, the initial investment for a Tootl single territory franchise is between $78,400-$97,400.

With Tootl team’s decades of experience in NEmT, healthcare and franchise industries, Tootl franchisees will receive robust initial and ongoing training and full-on marketing and operations support at every level. In addition, franchisees will be able to simply operate nearly every aspect of their business with Tootl Go, the franchise brand’s proprietary online business management system that’s under development. Franchisees will also benefit from a great work-life balance and organizational culture.

“We are extremely proud of the fact that we live by our core values; Trust, Respect, Empathy, and Kindness, which spells out TREK,” michelle Dacy noted. “We chose these values because each one is important to us as it relates to our customers. Even more, a trek can be a difficult journey. Our goal is to take the difficulty out of the journey — especially for those that live with difficulties every day.”

“ We are grateful for the opportunity to expand this much-needed service to people everywhere, and blessed to have the backing of franchising experts like Steve and Brad to help us make it happen.

Rec R uiting the Best owne R s fo R You R s enio R c a R e fR anchise

Recruiting the right owners for a senior care franchise can be a challenging task. While passion for caring for people is important, it is equally crucial to find owners with the necessary business skills and experience to run the franchise successfully.

In this article, we will explore the two different types of franchise owners and how to recruit the ideal owners for senior care franchises.

There are two kinds of franchises, and each one attracts a different kind of owner.

Pure business franchises attract owners whose main concern is to make a large and secure income. Their goal is to buy a franchise that provides the biggest possible financial return on their investment. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Passion-based franchises attract owners who have a deep personal commitment to what their franchise does. These passion-based owners come in many forms. They could be people who love fashion and who want to stock their shelves with trendy clothes and interact with customers who are equally passionate about clothes and fashion trends. Other passion-based owners could be yoga practitioners who want to own and operate a yoga franchise, committed early childhood teachers who want to own tutoring businesses, or musicians who want to operate a music school. And some passion-based owners want to own franchises that serve aging people. (Perhaps they discovered this passion while they were caring for aging members of their own families.)

Let me stress that I am not judging members of either of those groups. There is nothing wrong with choosing a franchise

that promises a large income stream, or long-term stability. Nor is there anything wrong with people who want to own a business that allows them to live out their personal passions or deep beliefs.

And sometimes, the right franchise cuts across both categories, allowing passionate people to enjoy substantial financial returns and security. Or conversely, the right franchise can become a personal passion for people who started out only wanting to make a lot of money. There is nothing wrong with being either kind of buyer. The fact that franchises are owned and operated by both kinds of owners makes the whole franchise world more varied and interesting.

Recruiting owners for Your senior care Franchise

There are many kinds of franchises that serve the needs of seniors and their families. There are franchises that simply

serve as counselors and help families find the best options for home and residential care for older members of their families. There are franchises that provide

caregivers who will provide in-home care. There are other franchises that specialize in medical and senior transportation. There are also franchises that take on the role

of case workers; they coordinate multiple aspects of caring for an aging relative –transportation to medical appointments, delivery, and set-up of home medical equipment, and more.

The ideal owners for these franchises are passionate about caring for people. But in my experience, hiring people only for their passion or desire to help people can be a mistake. Yes, you want people with a personal commitment to your mission. But remember that, if possible, they should also have business skills and/or prior experiences that will help assure they will be capable business owners and managers. While the passion of certain prospective owners can make you believe they are the best possible owners of your senior care franchise (which they might be), remember that in most cases, franchises succeed because of the operational expertise of their owners, not because of how excited they might be.

So my advice is to, yes, hire for passion. But at the same time, recruit owners who will run their businesses capably. During your selling process:

• Mentor and coach prospective owners so they understand the hard skills they will need to succeed.

• carefully screen possible owners and assess the full range of their business experiences.

• encourage possible owners to meet with your current franchise owners at their places of business, so they develop a realistic – not romanticized – picture of what owning one of your franchises will be like.

• develop excellent training programs and let prospective owners take them before they become owners. Once these future owners take training, they will develop a realistic outlook that blends passion with practicality.

The result will be a balanced owner who has what it takes to succeed.

Pure business franchises

evan hackel, entrepreneur, Author, speaker, Podcaster

As author, speaker and evan has been instrumental in launching more than 20 businesses and has managed a portfolio of brands with systemwide sales of more than $5 billion. he is the creator of Ingaged leadership, is author of the book Ingaging leadership Meets the Younger Generation, and is a thought leader in the fields of leadership and success.

evan is the Ceo of Ingage Consulting, delta Payment Systems and an advisor to tortal training. reach evan at ehackel@ingage.net, 781-820 7609 or visit www.evanhackelspeaks.com

Passion-based franchises

consi D e R ations w hen Bu Y ing a s enio R c a R e fR anchise

A staggering 10,000 people are turning 65 on a daily basis, a trend poised to continue until 2030 and beyond. This means that millions of families are going to face the difficult and emotional decision of finding the right care solution for their aging loved ones.

At Best Life Brands– a holding company that includes ComForCare and At Your Side, premier franchised providers of home care; CarePatrol, the nation’s largest franchised senior care solutions organization; Blue Moon Estate Sales, the leading estate sale franchise in the U.S., and Boost Home Healthcare, dedicated to providing superior in-home nursing, therapy, and home care services– we are committed to meeting this demand by continuing to grow each of the brands in our portfolio. Because we know the need for our solutions is great, and we know our solutions will help, we are urgent about finding ways to help more people open our brands in their local markets, so

we can help more and more families. Working in the senior care industry can be incredibly fulfilling with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of seniors and help them to maintain their independence and dignity. However the work can be incredibly challenging too, so here are few considerations when deciding if owning a senior care franchise is for you.

Passion for making a Difference

The senior care industry is not just a business; it is a community of people dedicated to providing care and support to our most vulnerable population and ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect. This is an important responsibility, and one we do not take lightly across our network of franchisees. Those who work in the senior care industry have the chance to develop intimate relationships with seniors and their families, providing emotional support, companionship and solutions. Being part of this industry is

“ Working in the senior care industry can be incredibly fulfilling with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of seniors and help them to maintain their independence and dignity.

an opportunity to do meaningful work and make a real difference in people’s lives, and should be the guiding force behind a decision to buy a senior care franchise. Tamara Franks knew she wanted to be in a business that made a difference. She chose ComForCare (operating as At Your Side Home Care in Houston) because of the ability to make a lasting impact on the lives of seniors and their families.

“This business makes you realize that everyone is special,” she says. “It’s extremely rewarding to own a business that is capable of meeting such an incredible need and to be part of a brand that recognizes that everyone is valuable. You have the full support behind you every step of the way.”

Jennifer LoBianco

continual training and support

Most senior care franchises offer training and support to franchisees, but it’s important to understand how comprehensive this is not just when starting the business, but ongoing through the business lifespan. Each of our brands offers a proven business model, exceptional resources and continual help with financing, operations, marketing, technology and HR. We also have innovative programs that set us apart from the rest of the industry, like DementiaWise®, a program that engages and enhances the lives of people with various forms of dementia, helping them to remain independent for as long as possible while providing support and education for the family. And with labor shortages a prevalent issue, ComForCare offers an extensive program that helps to hire and retain trusted caregivers.

Additionally, our marketing team continues to provide game-changing resources for our franchisees including a one of a kind educational podcast for seniors, family members and anyone helping the senior adult to better navigate and handle the challenges of aging, as well as launching franchisee marketing tool kits to assist with referrals.

This ongoing support becomes crucial to ensuring a healthy and profitable business.

Franchisee satisfaction across the system

In the early stages of a franchising journey, peers are the best resources. Before beginning the franchise application and disclosure process, ask for a list of current franchisees to speak with. Personal conversations with people who have gone through the process before can provide valuable insight about their success, fulfillment and strategies.

Ask these owners what they love about their business, what challenges they face and whether they would make the same decision over again.

“One of my most important goals when I started CarePatrol is I wanted to find a way to be connected with my community. But,

I also had financial goals and I’ve more than surpassed that goal,” says Michelle Graf, CarePatrol owner of Green Bay, WI. “It’s been amazing and I’ve been able to do that without sacrificing my personal life. I have time for my family and children.”

If a franchisor is uncomfortable connecting prospects with current franchisees, that’s a red flag.

As the baby boomer generation continues to age, the senior care industry will only accelerate, and owning a franchise in this space can provide a meaningful career as well as an excellent investment opportunity. At Best Life Brands, our mission is to help our franchisees and the clients in their communities live their best lives. For more information about franchise opportunities visit www. bestlifebrands.com/franchiseopportunities.

“ It’s extremely rewarding to own a business that is capable of meeting such an incredible need and to be part of a brand that recognizes that everyone is valuable.” - Tamara Franks

synerG y home CAre poise D For Contin U e D G rowth

Believe it or not, the rise of the home care industry dates back more than 75 years, way before there actually was a home care industry. That’s because home care is growing and maturing in step with the aging Baby Boomer population. Just as they have done at every phase of their lives, those born between 1946-1964 have redefined American life–and they are doing it again as they approach aging and retirement.

The oldest Boomers are now 77 years old, and 10,000 more turn 65 each day. In just a few short years, more than 70 million Americans will be aged 65 or over. Not only are they retiring to new locales with a desire to be near their children and

grandchildren, but they have brought about the phenomenon of ‘aging-in-place’. AARP reports that nearly 90% of those aged 65+ want to remain in the comfort of their own homes as they age. This creates an evergrowing demand for home care solutions, accompanied by increased societal awareness and appreciation of caregiving.

In fact, President Biden recently proclaimed April 2023 National Care Workers Month and encouraged Americans to celebrate the many contributions of care workers to our country.

“Across America, care workers help raise our children, assist seniors as they age with dignity, and support people with disabilities — giving families peace of mind and making it possible for millions of Americans to earn a paycheck while their loved ones are safe and secure,” said President Biden. “These unsung heroes

strengthen our communities and form the backbone of our nation’s economy.”

SYNERGY HomeCare, a leader in the home care industry’s growth and evolution, is well positioned to meet these growing needs. Based in Tempe, AZ, the company has been the fastest growing national franchisor in home care for the past three years running, with more than 210 franchisees operating in more than 450 territories across the U.S.

The brand was recently recognized as one of Entrepreneur’s Fastest Growing Franchises. The ranking identifies the franchisors with the greatest unit growth in the U.S. and Canada. The fastestgrowing accolade follows the home care franchisor’s inclusion on the 44th annual Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 in January 2023.

“Earning a spot on both Entrepreneur rankings is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry because it recognizes outstanding performance including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power,” said Charlie Young, SYNERGY HomeCare CEO. “Ranking amongst the fastest

growing enterprises across all franchise industries reflects how we have built a compelling and highly competitive value proposition for franchisees.

“Growing a franchise system is rooted in attracting strong franchisees, but it’s also about the marketing, training, collaboration and partnerships we provide that help our local franchisees succeed and grow,” Young said. “We have all of that, plus a unique operating platform where our franchisees have access to technology and up-to-the minute information that allows them to hire outstanding caregivers, grow their client base, and enhance relationships with local referral partners.”

SYNERGY HomeCare was founded in 1999 and was among the first to offer services to those in need, regardless of age or ability, as well as to do pre-employment background checks on each and every in-home caregiver. The company began franchising in 2003. Young joined in 2020 to lead the company in the next chapter of accelerated growth.

“Charlie brings invaluable experience leading other large franchisors across all facets of the business, from operations and marketing, to recruiting, retention and training,” said Mike Steed, Chief Growth Officer for SYNERGY HomeCare. “We are attracting high-quality, compassionate entrepreneurs that are excited to enrich their own lives as much as those they serve in their local communities,” he added.

Jenn Chasteen, Chief Marketing Officer at SYNERGY HomeCare, dubs this impact ‘the SYNERGY Effect,’ which is the focus of the brand’s integrated national marketing campaign.

“Our franchisees and their care teams make a positive impact and are propelling lives forward in so many ways, including

those of our clients, their families, and our professional caregivers. It’s a ripple effect and we’re proud to see it grow every day,” shared Chasteen.

SYNERGY HomeCare Chief Partnership Officer Rich Paul noted that SYNERGY HomeCare is taking a leadership role within the home care industry by rolling out dedicated programming to address the evolving needs of the nation’s aging population. This includes a variety of education and outreach efforts supporting family caregivers on topics including:

• Veterans care: The vast majority of SYNERGY HomeCare franchises are contracted with the VA, allowing veterans to use their VA benefits to gain access to the highest quality home care.

• hospital-to-home care: Quality care following discharge from a hospital, rehabilitation center, or other care setting is crucial for a smooth transition and successful recovery, and having a good in-home support system can help make that possible.

• Memory care: Over six million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, a figure that is expected to double by 2050. SYNERGY HomeCare offers a differentiated, person-centered

approach to memory care, which combines industry best practices, technology solutions, and specially trained professional caregivers.

“It’s been incredible to see our industry change over time,” said Paul. “Home care is now recognized as a critical part of the continuum of care. At the same time, we have seen a growing need for specific programming. Growing older is not the same journey for everyone. The same holds true for those who need specialized care. We are pleased to evolve our offerings along with the needs of the clients we serve.”

“Our memory care program is a great example,” Paul added. “The pandemic led to an increase in diagnoses and needed support. We recognize that clients living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or memory loss need specialized services to live more joyfully in the comfort of their own homes.

SYNERGY Home Care caregivers who work in their home need to be properly trained and understand emerging ways to support their clients. Together we are really making a difference in people’s lives.”

SYNERGY HomeCare is poised for continued growth and those interested in learning more should visit SYNERGYHomeCarefranchise.com.

“ Across America, care workers help raise our children, assist seniors as they age with dignity, and support people with disabilities — giving families peace of mind.”

ADD ressin G the C AreG iver s hortAG e

The baby boomer demographic comprises the majority of Americans. As they age, the need for caregivers increases. Like other staffing woes in the country, the number of care workers is not meeting the demand of people needing care.

The Global Coalition on Aging (GCA) has found that by 2030, there will be a national shortage of 151,000 care workers. Moreover, the coalition expects the number to grow by 135 percent in the following decade to a caregiver shortfall of 355,000. It is a problem the in-home care franchise, A Place At Home, is working to address.

transitioning With the times

Unlike other industries that can tailor operating hours to staffing issues, the senior care industry does not have that kind of solution. 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day, and the GCA finds that 70

percent of those who reach that age need long-term care services and support. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is also involved in this issue, reporting that eight out of 10 adults want to remain in their homes as long as possible. Now is the time for senior care services to meet the needs of their audience.

The support seniors require is not necessarily all medical. Some older adults do need around-the-clock care; however, many could use assistance for just a few hours a day with activities such as cooking or shopping. Senior home care businesses that are thriving are providing flexible options for their clients because caregiving is not a one size fits all business.

A Place At Home offers seniors a customized in-home care service plan. The franchise also facilitates when medical care is needed. Staff are ready to provide professional care planning and senior living facility recommendations and are trained to collaborate with medical providers. These comprehensive services

are especially important today as families are smaller and often physically distanced. Another GCA finding was that 60 percent of family members who take on the caregiver role also hold regular employment in addition to providing caregiving responsibilities. The stress and burden of managing so many roles takes a toll on family members which can cause the relationship between loved ones to deteriorate.

With all-in-one services such as those offered by A Place At Home franchisees, families can have peace of mind with an all-encompassing care plan, a direct point of contact, and a strong advocate.

“Now is the time to determine how to best meet the needs of seniors and their families as this industry problem is not going away,” says Dustin Distefano, chief executive officer of A Place At Home. “Providing personalized in-home service plans is crucial in ensuring our seniors receive the care they need. Plus, it’s the most costeffective option for families.”

In some ways, technology has helped fill the void, but, in the senior care industry, that’s not entirely possible. Technology can assist with telehealth visits, remote

monitoring, automated medication dispensers, and social engagement, such as video chats. However, it’s not a complete solution for industry challenges.

Technology can’t replace the personal touch of a care worker. Seniors often require emotional support and companionship, which only human care workers can provide. Also, not all seniors are comfortable with or have access to technology, creating a digital divide between those who can use technology and those who cannot. This can lead to disparities in access to care when relied upon at a high level. Finally, overreliance on technology can lead to a lack of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Care workers must still be able to assess a senior’s condition and identify problems to take proper action.

Answering the caregiver shortage

Companies must retain employees and actively recruit new people to keep the care worker shortage from growing. Incentives such as better pay, sign-on bonuses, attractive benefits, and career advancement opportunities have effectively attracted new professional care workers.

Providing proper support for employees is also vital as the role of professional care

“ Providing personalized inhome service plans is crucial in ensuring our seniors receive the care they need. Plus, it’s the most cost-effective option for families.”

workers is extremely demanding. A worker might have a client with a personalityaltering disease such as Alzheimer’s, or mobility challenges that may require lifting. It can all be overwhelming and strenuous, so support for ongoing training, time off, and proper compensation can help deter burnout.

Along with career advancement opportunities is the provision of additional training and educational programs. The senior solutions software company, Home Care Pulse, found that companies with sufficient onboarding and ongoing training saw a decrease in the 90-day staff turnover.

“We’re committed to finding new, innovative ways to support our team and the families we serve,” says Distefano.

“The role of caregivers is vital for our society, and we can’t afford to lose our short supply of them. Instead, we need to work on attracting people to the profession.”

How A Place At Home is Helping

In response to the caregiver shortage, A Place At Home uses a range of benefits and incentives for employees, including flexible scheduling, ongoing training and development, and opportunities for career advancement to help attract care workers. The strategy works for the franchise, as more than half of their locations have earned Home Care Pulse’s Employer of Choice award.

“As a company, we’re passionate about serving seniors and their families, and we know that starts with our employees,” Distefano explains. “By providing them with the support, resources, and benefits they need, we can attract and keep the best caregivers in the industry and, ultimately, provide better care for our clients.”

A Place At Home offers its clients comprehensive care services, from inhome, and non-medical care to helping families decide upon the next steps for securing alternative senior living arrangements. The company was founded in 2012 by two friends as a solution to finding care workers for their loved ones. The brand is growing and is looking for owners dedicated to responding to this caregiver shortage, preserving the quality of life for seniors, and providing them with the support they need to continue living independently for as long as possible.

Gr IS wold w elCo M e S N At I o NA llY-K N ow N Pol ICY A NA lYS t AN d Gero N tolo GIS t, Dr. lori GriswolD, A s n ewest BoAr D m em Ber

Griswold, the fast-growing nonmedical home care franchise with over 170 locations, is excited to announce its newest board member, Lori R. Griswold, Ph.D., m.S.G to the Board of Directors.

In 1982, Dr. Jean Griswold founded Griswold as the country’s first non-medical home care company, providing quality home care to the elderly, disabled adults and individuals recovering from illness. Under Jean’s guidance, Lori Griswold served as executive vice president of the company for many years until 2009. She was also executive director of the predecessor to the non-profit Jean Griswold Foundation, the Special Care Foundation.

A nationally-known policy analyst and gerontologist, Lori Griswold has worked with and advocated for older and disabled persons in a variety of positions and settings for nearly four decades. She has a BA in psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Masters in gerontology from the Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California and a PhD in Social Policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University. She currently serves as an advocate and consultant to help clients, colleagues, friends and family navigate the long term care maze when needing assistance with home care, hospice, facility or other health care needs.

“I am honored and humbled to join such a talented group of professionals to continue bringing Jean’s vision to life,” said

Dr. Lori Griswold. “With the rapid growth and exciting developments in the world of home care, Griswold is poised to make a large impact on the industry. I’m looking forward to developing fresh ideas and strategies to help the company grow in a meaningful way.”

In addition to her experience at Griswold, Lori Griswold’s past professional career includes roles as a consultant for the Department of Justice/US Attorneys Office, Southeast Pennsylvania Region; executive director of the Special Care Foundation; long-time member of the PA Intragovernmental Council on Long-Term Care; researcher for the National Institute on Aging at UCLA; and visiting scientist in Sweden assessing quality of life for persons 85 and over.

“Throughout her tenure with Griswold, Lori helped build the company to where it is today,” said Griswold CEO Michael Slupecki. “She was influential in developing the regulatory framework for home care throughout the country. This isn’t just someone with the Griswold name — this is someone who can truly add value when it comes to home care, education, compliance, historical perspectives, longterm franchisee relationships and more. Connecting back to the Griswold family is great, but having somebody with her stature and strength within the industry is an honor. We are incredibly excited to have her on our Board.”

Lori Griswold also has a long history of involvement in federal and national, state and local advocacy and policy organizations and boards. She has worked with Fortune 500 and government

“ I am honored and humbled to join such a talented group of professionals to continue bringing Jean’s vision to life.

agencies on pre-retirement planning and has authored various articles, book chapters and grant applications. She has received a variety of awards, including the Philadelphia Business Journal’s “40 under 40,” “Top 100 Professionals to Watch” and the “50 Best Women in Business.”

Vicki Hoak, CEO of Home Care Association of America, is an industry veteran and a dedicated long-time advocate for the home-based care industry. She has two decades of experience working with Dr. Griswold in the industry.

“We are thrilled to see Lori’s return to the home care space,” said Hoak. “Her participation will be invaluable because of her strong understanding of the value of in-home care. I worked alongside Lori many years ago when Pennsylvania was developing licensing for home care, and her collaborative spirit was instrumental then, as it will be now as our industry faces both challenges and opportunities in the years ahead.”

John Pouschine, a primary board member and owner of the private equity firm

Pouschine Cook Capital Management that acquired Griswold in 2012, believes Dr.

Lori Griswold’s unique background will help drive important initiatives within the Griswold system.

“Dr. Lori Griswold is an incredible addition because she brings a relevant regulatory background to discussions at the board level,” Pouschine said. “Better than anyone, she will be able to guide the board and franchisees as they continue to evolve during this pivotal time in the home care industry.”

Now, as a member of the board, Lori Griswold will leverage her decades of industry experience to help Griswold continue its expansion in line with its recent brand evolution. “Overall, we are thrilled Lori is willing to put time and energy back into the company, and it is really a testament to the mission Jean started all those years ago,” said Slupecki. “Lori’s expertise and wisdom will be invaluable as we navigate the future of Griswold.”

Previously, Lori Griswold has served as executive director for the predecessor to the Jean Griswold Foundation. The news of her nomination to the Griswold Board of Directors coincidentally comes shortly

after the announcement of Griswold’s 2023 National Caregiver Scholarship Program in partnership with its nonprofit organization, the Jean Griswold Foundation, for the second year. The program aims to award $100,000 in scholarships to qualified caregivers across the country.

The Jean Griswold Foundation was founded in 2010 as a private nonprofit to support caregiving organizations in times of hardship, and was named after Dr. Jean Griswold to help carry on her legacy. Until 2021, funds raised through private donors, corporations, franchisees, and employees had been primarily awarded to individuals and programs dedicated to senior care, but the intention was always to offer a way for caregivers to improve their ability to pursue care-related work. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the need for home health became more pressing than ever, the foundation decided to reorganize its approach to fully focus on caregivers.

In 2022, the Jean Griswold Foundation awarded $24,000 in scholarships to 12 caregivers from across the country with amazing stories of perseverance and fortitude. This year, that number is jumping to a whopping $100,000 because of how

“ We are thrilled to see Lori’s return to the home care space. Her participation will be invaluable because of her strong understanding of the value of in-home care.”- Vicki Hoak

successful the fundraising program was in its founding year. The denominations allocated to each caregiver will range from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the scholarship.

These kinds of caregiver-focused initiatives help further position Griswold franchisees as employers-of-choice in the senior care industry. “The scholarships will set us apart from other home care agencies and will help us recruit caregivers, too,” said Chair of the Jean Griswold Foundation and Griswold franchisee, Maryanne Murray. “It’s also a good way to distinguish ourselves during a time of caregiver shortages and so much competition. We attract remarkable caregivers who seem to enjoy our culture, and we definitely enjoy what they’re bringing to the table. We have fabulous caregivers on our teams, and they’re really the lifeblood of our industry.”

L-R: Michael Slupecki, CEO, Griswold; Dr. Kent Griswold; Jim Middleton, Director, Griswold Home Care for Westminster, Broomfield & Boulder; Dr. Lori Griswold

aM e R ican fa M ilY c a R e continues to gR ow with a co MM itM ent to eXcellence an D pe R sonalize D s e RV ice fo R a ll

American Family Care (AFC) has been making headlines in the healthcare industry as it expands its reach across the U.S. As a franchisor, AFC has developed a unique business model that has been successful in attracting both budding entrepreneurs and existing franchisees to join the healthcare industry and make a positive, lasting impact in their communities.

the American Family care origin story

AFC founder and CEO, the late Dr. Bruce Irwin, was destined for a lifetime in the healthcare industry. Irwin’s father was injured in a railroad accident that caused him to lose both legs before Bruce was even born. This prompted Bruce to spend much of his young life accompanying his father to doctor’s appointments where he learned firsthand about some of the shortcomings and frustrations associated with American healthcare. The younger Irwin ultimately chose to become a doctor to help people like his father.

While working in an emergency room at Brookwood Medical Center in Alabama, Irwin was struck by the number of nonemergent – yet still significant – cases that came through the door. He was equally surprised at the level of over-crowding that would often lead to patients with both lifethreatening and non-emergent conditions not being able to receive the prompt and proper care they needed.

With his medical prowess and an entrepreneurial spirit inherited from his father; Irwin decided to focus on opening clinics to handle the non-emergency cases in Birmingham. These locations would care for people who were sick or injured

and needed immediate care but didn’t have life-threatening emergencies. In 1982, Irwin opened the first American Family Care clinic, thus creating a solution that would cut down on ER over-crowding and could be replicated in different communities across the country, giving convenient and affordable healthcare solutions to all.

How AFc continues to Reach new Heights

In 2022, AFC celebrated 40 years of providing urgent care, accessible primary care and occupational medicine for American families. The brand ranked as the No. 1 urgent care franchise opportunity on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 for the ninth consecutive year and was included on the Inc. 5000 for the eighth time. Within the same year, the brand marked another milestone by opening its 300th location in Wendell, North Carolina.

At the time Dr. Irwin stated: “We are so proud of our history and excited about our future. As we continue to expand, we will reach even more people who need affordable and accessible healthcare. We also provide more people with the opportunity to invest in their own business through our AFC franchise model which,

in turn, provides jobs and economic growth to communities across the country.”

AFC is one of the nation’s fastest growing healthcare networks now with 310 locations currently open, and the company is aiming to hit 350 by the end of 2023. This is a significant milestone for the brand, as it highlights its rapid growth in the industry. One of the reasons for AFC’s success is its business model, which is recessionresistant and allows entrepreneurs to enter the healthcare industry without requiring a healthcare background. This is an attractive feature for many entrepreneurs who are looking for a way to diversify their business portfolio while still making a difference in their communities.

AFC’s business model includes offering affordable and convenient healthcare services to patients in a comfortable and welcoming environment. The company’s clinics provide a range of services, including urgent care, primary care, and occupational medicine, among others.

The healthcare industry has been experiencing significant growth in recent years, and entrepreneurs want to grow their businesses alongside it. AFC has tapped into this trend by offering a turnkey franchise model that includes everything from site selection to marketing support. This has made it easier for entrepreneurs to get started with a healthcare franchise and has contributed to AFC’s rapid growth. In fact, existing franchisees are choosing to reinvest with AFC rather than diversifying with other franchises. This just proves the strength of the AFC brand and the success of its franchise model.

According to Paige Robinson, CFE and Vice President of Franchise Development:

“We are growing our footprint with both new and existing franchisees.

Entrepreneurs want a piece of the healthcare pie. The great thing about our model is a healthcare background is not required. I should add it is a true testament to our brand that existing owners are choosing to reinvest with AFC rather than diversifying with other brands.”

the Future of Healthcare

The milestones AFC has achieved would not have been possible without a business model that is inclusive of all entrepreneurs—not just those with a medical background. The brand has not only changed the face of non-emergent healthcare, but it has also transformed the concept of healthcare as a business.

Looking ahead, AFC has limitless potential with plans to continue its

expansion and growth in the healthcare industry. The company is focused on increasing its brand recognition and expanding its services to meet the growing demand for affordable and convenient healthcare.

In conclusion, AFC’s success as a franchisor is a result of its unique business model, which has attracted entrepreneurs and existing franchisees to the healthcare industry. The company’s rapid growth and big development news are evidence to the strength of its brand and its commitment to providing affordable and convenient healthcare services to patients across the U.S. As AFC continues to expand, it will undoubtedly leave a significant impact on the healthcare industry and the communities it serves.

A G row ING ho M e MAIN te NANC e AN d

trUBlUe t otAl h o Use C Are

The company offers ongoing inhome maintenance and home modification support to help seniors remain at home for as long as possible.

Now, with the senior population growing and the demand for home services skyrocketing post-COVID, the brand is looking for qualified and passionate franchise partners to help spearhead growth throughout the country, aiming to more than triple its size in franchise units by the end of 2025. Specifically, the TruBlue business model is designed for entrepreneurs who are looking to add a complementary business to their existing senior care portfolio.

“TruBlue was created to complement the senior care industry,” said TruBlue President Sean Fitzgerald. “The main challenge seniors have with aging in place is maintaining the home environment. So by being able to provide home assessments and modification solutions, it ensures senior care operators, whether they are in-

home health, medical care, transportation or another senior care service, can add more value to their business - and ultimately their clients.”

Fitzgerald says TruBlue’s business model is also very similar to what existing senior care operators may be used to. “A senior care franchise business usually has the sales and marketing side, which is referral driven, the admin side, such as billing and scheduling, and then the care side, treating the clients,” he said. Our model is very similar; you are just swapping caregivers for handymen, or technicians. Anyone who already has that senior care infrastructure in place can utilize their team to grow their TruBlue handyman and home services business for seniors and busy adults. They already know this space, the models are operating very similarly, and it complements their existing business.”

Jeff Pittman, for example, is a TruBlue owner in Wilmington, North Carolina, who previously owned a senior transportation

business called Carolina Mobile Transport. When he originally started that business, it was because he saw a clear need for a company that could help seniors get to their appointments. When COVID hit and fewer seniors were traveling to in-person appointments, Pittman started looking for a new way to help the elderly in his community.

“As part of Carolina Mobile Transport, we heard a lot about the home maintenance seniors needed to be able to continue to age safely and comfortably at home. I was thinking about taking on that need by myself when I found TruBlue,” Pittman said. “Our community is having a huge building boom, especially for retirees, and TruBlue allows me to help them enjoy those homes for as long as possible.”

TruBlue’s professional technicians can help with handyman repairs and odd jobs, yard work, seasonal services and minor home renovations. TruBlue also works with

homeowners, realtors and rental property owners who need to get homes move-in ready quickly and keep them maintained, as well as business clients. While TruBlue can work with homeowners of all kinds, Pittman and his team are uniquely skilled in helping seniors.

Plus, while most senior care concepts require medical accreditation or training, TruBlue is completely non-medical, saving the franchise owner money, time and energy. TruBlue franchise owners can also tap into this demand with completely low startup costs and a simplified operational model, which requires no brick-and-mortar location.

“The operations are also much simpler because it is not medical, less regulations, and you don’t need as many employees,” said Fitzgerald. “That makes it a really great add-on to existing businesses.”

By adding TruBlue to their portfolio, senior care operators can also maintain a larger percentage of their clientele, Fitzgerald says. “The top reasons someone loses a client in the senior care industry is that they are hospitalized, they have to leave the home for assisted living or they pass away,” he said. “Many of those issues could be a result of falls. That is why fall prevention is a big topic, and senior care companies know this. With TruBlue’s three-step process, which includes a home safety assessment, modifications and maintenance, senior care operators can better prepare their clients for aging in place.”

This is also part of the reason why TruBlue continues to see new national partnerships with existing senior care companies across the country. “Big companies much larger than us are partnering with us because they see how our service is needed and related to their business,” said Fitzgerald. “They are utilizing our network of franchisees to provide those services, and it will only become more prevalent as awareness around aging in place grows.”

Additionally, TruBlue’s subscription services allows homeowners, specifically busy adults and seniors, to ensure that their home maintenance is taken care of, whether it be mulching, picking up

brush, touching up paint, putting batteries in smoke directors, fixing a sink, or otherwise.

“We are much more than a handyman business,” said Fitzgerald. “The ultimate goal is to be our customers’ home service ally, their first call when something goes wrong with their home. Our second goal is to get our customers on one of our subscription-based home maintenance service programs, which gives the franchisee consistent, reliable business and really lends itself to scalability for the franchise owner. So much of our business is repeat clientele naturally — these are recurring clients calling us every quarter or so to fix something or upgrade something in their home. Our goal is to turn them into subscription-based customers so we can truly help them manage the maintenance and maintain the value of their most valuable asset: their homes.”

This subscription model creates strong cash flow for owners, Fitzgerald says. “It is predictable income coming in every single month,” he said. “It also gives us permission to check in with clients and ask if there is anything else they need us to do, which can lead to more business and revenue. It allows us to maintain that communication.”

Since scalability is such a key part of the TruBlue business model, Fitzgerald says the team makes sure to train franchise owners on everything they need to grow their business the right way from day one. “We structure the organization with the same roles, responsibilities and teams,” he said. “That means once you create one team, the rest — teams two, three, four, five and six — use the same process. It is very easily repeatable. You can leverage that infrastructure and replicate your success.”

t own s q UAre Contin U es G rowth

to the seven centers up and running, we have 15 other committed locations. Like families and caregivers everywhere, franchise owners are recognizing incredible national demand for quality daycare and resource centers for those with dementia. We are delighted to serve more and more seniors while also giving caregivers a respite from 24/7 care.”

Bradenton town square has strong start

U.S. Navy before a long career as a director of facilities overseeing the campus of a state university, so they are well-suited to provide senior care in an area that lacks adequate adult day care and memory care facilities. They too plan to open additional locations in the Charlotte market.

SH Town Square Franchising, Inc., (Town Square), which fills a nationwide elder care market gap for adult daycare and memory care centers, continues its growth, with new locations opening, leases signed and additional franchise owners coming on board.

The four-year-old organization also is expanding its leadership team with the addition of a new position, Vice President of Marketing & Business Development.

With a just-opened University Parkway (Bradenton, FL) Town Square; the lease signed for a Town Square in the Greater Charlotte area (Fort Mill, SC); and new owners of a Bergen County, NJ, Town Square ramping up, Town Square Franchising improves the momentum it established in 2022.

“We’ve been on a roll since June of 2021,” says Pete Spillum, VP of Operations & Franchising for Town Square. “In addition

Spillum notes that Town Square University Parkway, on the border of Bradenton and Sarasota, opened its doors March 6. More than 450 people attended the Open House to see the innovative adult day facility offering activities and enabling reminiscence and socialization. Town Square University Parkway franchise owners John and Catherine McDermott have plans to open two more Town Square centers in the coming years to serve the Manatee County area, north of this first location.

“We are excited to see the team at University Parkway open its doors,” Spillum says. “With John and Catherine’s experience (she is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner; his experience is in construction and operations), they will thrive and become a model Town Square for the many other Florida locations bound to open in the coming years.”

Geriatric psychiatry expertise drives town square near charlotte

Likewise, franchisees Kelli and Rob Gagne recently signed a lease for their Fort Mill, SC, Town Square, due to open in early 2024 (at 368 Fort Mill Parkway, Suite 106, Fort Mill), serving the Charlotte, NC, area. Kelli is a psychiatric mental-health nurse practitioner with her own geriatric psychiatry practice and Rob served in the

“Every day we see the growing need for quality dementia care in our area beyond traditional assisted living and home care models,” says Kelli Gagne. “Town Square and its innovation in adult day care fits the needs within our community, providing medical care, socialization and support for those living with dementia – all in an engaging environment.”

town square aligns with existing businesses

Some of the latest Town Square owners have just completed New Owner Training and will be opening in Bergen County, NJ, in 2024. Owners Mike Tucci and Stacey Lopis and business partner John Lopis are excited that Town Square will offer families affordable and engaging memory care, as well as rewarding and consistent work for their caregiving staff, including opportunities for career advancement.

Tucci began his career as a technology consultant, eventually spending 20 years at UBS AG focused on employee engagement and development, and organizational change. Upon retiring in 2021, he began full-time at Visiting Angels of Fort Lee. Tucci will use his expertise to lead the building, growing and scaling of Town Square.

John Lopis, a longtime attorney, in 2001 began representing franchisors, franchisees and distributors, which led him to become CEO and General Counsel of a franchisor

Lori McCauley

as well as a franchisee. He eventually worked in the Home Health and Home Care sector, including as a franchise and operations consultant to Visiting Angels. Stacey Lopis’ career in finance took her through Wall Street firms including Cantor Fitzgerald and Goldman Sachs. While raising a family she later worked part-time helping finance startups and boutique recruiting firms. In 2015 she purchased the Visiting Angels of Fort Lee with Tucci and has been its Director ever since.

“As owners of a home care agency, we saw Town Square as a natural fit to expand our portfolio and help our clientele,” says Tucci. “This aligns perfectly with our existing business and experience, and serves a rapidly growing need in Bergen County and beyond.”

Growth drives leadership team expansion

As its first Vice President of Marketing

& Business Development, Sarasota-based Lori McCauley brings 25 years sales & operations experience, with a decade in healthcare and 15 years in franchise development.

“I know from experience there is nothing quite like Town Square in the healthcare marketplace,” McCauley says. “The brand is exciting and the team passionate, and our centers, as we call them, benefit not only the member, but also caregivers who need respite support. Our goal when we partner with franchise owners is for Town Square to be the “Center of Excellence” in adult day dementia care. From every activity to the centers’ décor, we’ve built it all with strategic, meaningful purpose.”

Town Square locations now open include Sarasota, FL (in addition to Bradenton/ University Parkway); Perry Hall, MD; Jersey Shore (Brunswick), NJ; Princeton, NJ; Sandy Springs, GA; and (NW) Austin, TX. As the population shifts, the 50s and

60s theme of Town Square facilities will roll through subsequent decades.

Town Square provides a safe, comforting and immersive environment where members – as Town Square day guests are called – spend the day while caretakers are at work, running errands or taking a break from daily routines. Members take part in a range of engaging activities facilitated by highly qualified Program Assistants. Town Square is the first adult day center model grounded in reminiscence therapy, specifically for individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementias. A product of the renowned George G. Glenner Centers, Town Square’s proprietary programming evokes a time when seniors were teens or young adults. Town Square also created proprietary software exclusive to its franchise owners.

About franchising with Town Square: email Pete Spillum, 410.847.2150.

Town Square University Parkway John and Catherine McDermott

Town Square Bergen County Mike Tucci and Stacey Lopis