The senior care franchise sector is driven by one of the most powerful demographic tailwinds in business: America's aging population. The US Census Bureau projects the 65+ population will grow from 56 million in 2020 to 95 million by 2060. This analysis covers 6 senior care and in-home care franchises in the FranchiseStack database, comparing verified investment ranges, average unit volumes, and royalty rates from FDD disclosures as of March 31, 2026.
Key Finding
BrightStar Care generates the highest average revenue in the sector at $2.4M per location on a $132K minimum investment — an 18.2x revenue-to-investment ratio. Home Instead offers the largest network (1,200 units) with $1.8M AUV. Visiting Angels has the lowest royalty rate (3.5%) — compared to the 5-6% sector standard — making it the most efficient on an earnings-retention basis at scale.
Senior Care Franchise Comparison Table
| Franchise | Type | Min. Investment | Max. Investment | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Total Units | Avg Revenue | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Instead | Non-Medical | $130,000 | $200,000 | $59,000 | 5.0% | 1,200 | $1,800,000 | +1.0% |
| Visiting Angels | Non-Medical | $83,685 | $132,125 | $49,950 | 3.5% | 700 | $1,200,000 | +1.5% |
| Right at Home | Non-Medical | $88,250 | $157,750 | $50,000 | 5.0% | 700 | $1,300,000 | +2.0% |
| Comfort Keepers | Non-Medical | $97,000 | $171,000 | $45,000 | 5.0% | 700 | $1,100,000 | — |
| BrightStar Care | Medical + Non-Medical | $132,000 | $235,000 | $50,000 | 5.75% | 400 | $2,400,000 | — |
| Always Best Care | Non-Medical | $81,225 | $139,050 | $49,900 | 6.0% | 230 | $900,000 | — |
Source: FranchiseStack database, FDD-derived data as of March 31, 2026. Growth rates shown where available in current disclosures. "Non-Medical" = companion care, personal care, housekeeping. "Medical" = skilled nursing, therapy services requiring licensed professionals.
Franchise-by-Franchise Analysis
BrightStar Care — Highest Revenue, Medical + Non-Medical
BrightStar Care is the only franchise in the senior care sector that offers both non-medical companion/personal care AND skilled medical services (nursing, therapy, infusions) under one brand. This dual capability commands the highest average unit revenue at $2.4M — more than double the next-lowest brand in the comparison. The $132K minimum investment gives BrightStar the best AUV-to-investment ratio in senior care: 18.2x. The 5.75% royalty is slightly above the sector median but reasonable given the revenue base. Key note: some states require BrightStar to employ a licensed Director of Nursing — factor this into your operating cost projections.
Home Instead — Scale Leader with Strong AUV
Home Instead (owned by Honor Technology since 2021) is the largest in-home senior care franchise network with 1,200 locations globally. The $1.8M average unit revenue on a $130K minimum investment (13.8x ratio) is excellent. Home Instead's technology integration post-acquisition — including AI-powered caregiver scheduling and matching — gives franchisees operational tools that smaller competitors lack. At 1% growth, the system is mature and near-saturation in core US markets; international and secondary US markets have remaining territory.
Visiting Angels — Best Royalty Rate in the Category
Visiting Angels' 3.5% royalty rate is the lowest in senior care — 1.5 percentage points below the 5% standard used by Home Instead, Right at Home, and Comfort Keepers. On $1.2M average revenue, that 1.5% difference equals $18,000/year in retained earnings vs. Home Instead. Over 10 years, that's $180,000 in additional retained earnings. The $83,685 minimum is the lowest entry point for a non-medical senior care franchise with this scale (700 units). For buyers focused on maximizing take-home earnings, Visiting Angels' royalty advantage compounds significantly over time.
Right at Home — Steady Growth, Balanced Profile
Right at Home (700 units, 2% growth, $88K minimum, $1.3M AUV) offers a balanced profile across all key metrics. The 2% growth rate is the highest among the large senior care brands — indicating positive net unit additions. The $88K minimum gives good capital efficiency. The 5% royalty is standard. Right at Home's "whole person care" framework addresses not just physical care needs but emotional and social wellbeing — a differentiator in the caregiver recruitment market where many families prioritize relationship quality over pure logistics.
Comfort Keepers — Philips/Optum-Backed System
Comfort Keepers (700 units, $97K minimum, $1.1M AUV) benefits from its parent company's healthcare technology infrastructure. The brand uses an Interactive Caregiving model that emphasizes client engagement beyond basic care tasks. The $1.1M average revenue is the second-lowest in the comparison but still represents a 11.3x revenue-to-investment ratio. Comfort Keepers has been slower to adopt digital scheduling and AI tools than Home Instead, which may explain the revenue differential.
Always Best Care — Accessible Entry, Lower Revenue
Always Best Care ($81,225 minimum, 230 units, $900K AUV) is the smallest system in the comparison but offers the lowest investment threshold. For buyers who want senior care exposure with limited capital, Always Best Care is an accessible entry point. The 6% royalty is the highest in the category, which partially offsets the lower entry cost. At 230 units, the brand has significantly less market presence than 700+ unit competitors — which may affect brand recognition in competitive markets.
The Structural Tailwind
Senior care is uniquely positioned at the intersection of demographic necessity and financial capacity. The "silver tsunami" of Baby Boomers aging into care needs represents 76 million potential clients over the next 20 years. Unlike discretionary services, senior care demand is driven by need — families don't shop for the cheapest option when a parent needs daily assistance. The highest-quality providers command premium rates that sustain margins across economic cycles.
Key Risk: Caregiver Labor
The primary operational challenge for all senior care franchisees is caregiver recruitment and retention. The US faces a structural caregiver shortage estimated at 7 million workers by 2030. Wages for caregivers have risen significantly — compressed margins for franchise owners who can't pass all cost increases to clients. The franchises with the strongest technology platforms (Home Instead, BrightStar) have a meaningful advantage in caregiver matching, scheduling efficiency, and retention programs.
Analyze Senior Care Franchise Opportunities
Run a full FDD analysis on any senior care franchise, calculate projected ROI based on your market, and see territory availability.
Start Free Analysis →