BrightStar Care vs Home Instead: Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Senior Care Real Data Not Investment Advice
BC

BrightStar Care

Senior Care
$132K – $235K
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VS
HI

Home Instead

Senior Care
$130K – $200K
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Home Instead wins on investment range ($35K less) vs BrightStar Care.
Fee Burden
Home Instead wins on royalty rate (0.8% lower) vs BrightStar Care.
Unit Count
Home Instead wins on total units (800 more) vs BrightStar Care.
Satisfaction
Home Instead has available Franchisee Satisfaction data; BrightStar Care does not.

Investment & Fees

Metric BrightStar Care Home Instead
Min Investment $132K $130K
Max Investment $235K $200K
Franchise Fee $50K $59K
Royalty Rate 5.8% 5.0%
Ad Fund Rate N/A 1.0%

Unit Economics

Metric BrightStar Care Home Instead
Avg Unit Revenue $2.4M $1.8M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric BrightStar Care Home Instead
Total Units 400 1,200
Annual Growth N/A 1.0%
Failure Rate N/A 2.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric BrightStar Care Home Instead
Franchisee Satisfaction N/A 81/100

Track Record

Metric BrightStar Care Home Instead
Years in Business 24 32
Years Franchising 21 30

Financial Requirements

Metric BrightStar Care Home Instead
Min Net Worth Required $500K $250K
Liquid Capital Required $100K $100K

Operations

Metric BrightStar Care Home Instead
Avg Employees N/A 50
Training Weeks N/A 3

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BrightStar Care or Home Instead a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. BrightStar Care has 400 total units and a track record in its industry. Home Instead has 1,200 total units and a 81/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a BrightStar Care franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a BrightStar Care franchise requires an initial investment of $132K – $235K. The franchise fee is $50K, with ongoing royalties of 5.8%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Home Instead franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Home Instead franchise requires an initial investment of $130K – $200K. The franchise fee is $59K, with ongoing royalties of 5.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for BrightStar Care vs Home Instead?

BrightStar Care's royalty rate is 5.8%. Home Instead's royalty rate is 5.0%. That means Home Instead has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — BrightStar Care or Home Instead?

BrightStar Care has 400 total units. Home Instead has 1,200 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is BrightStar Care or Home Instead semi-absentee friendly?

BrightStar Care is typically run as a owner-operator model. Home Instead is typically run as a owner-operator model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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