Question 1

How much does it cost to open Home Instead vs Visiting Angels?

Accepted Answer

Home Instead requires $130K–$200K total investment with a $59K franchise fee. Visiting Angels requires $84K–$132K with a $50K franchise fee. Visiting Angels has a lower capital entry point. Home Instead's higher investment reflects its larger scale and broader service offering.

Question 2

Which has better unit economics?

Accepted Answer

Home Instead averages $1.8M AUV vs Visiting Angels at $1.2M — 50% higher revenue per location. Estimated payback: 7 months for Home Instead vs 7 months for Visiting Angels. Despite higher capital requirements, Home Instead generates substantially more revenue and faster payback.

Question 3

What are the royalty rates?

Accepted Answer

Home Instead: 5% royalty. Visiting Angels: 3.5% royalty — the lowest of any major senior care franchise. Visiting Angels' sub-4% royalty structure is unusual in franchising and significantly reduces ongoing fee burden. Home Instead's higher royalty is offset by higher absolute revenue per location.

Question 4

Which has better franchisee satisfaction?

Accepted Answer

Home Instead scores 81/100 vs Visiting Angels at 78/100. Both are in the top tier of senior care franchise satisfaction. Home Instead's 32-year operating history and larger system support its higher scores.

Question 5

Which is the better entry point into senior care franchising?

Accepted Answer

Visiting Angels has a lower entry point ($84K–$132K vs $130K–$200K) and the industry's lowest royalty rate (3.5%). Home Instead is better suited for experienced operators with $130K+ to invest who want the highest revenue potential ($1.8M AUV) and franchisee satisfaction scores in the 80s. Both serve the same aging-in-place demographic.

Metric	Home Instead	Visiting Angels	Winner
Investment Range	$130K–$200K	$84K–$132K	Visiting Angels (lower)
Franchise Fee	$59K	$50K	Visiting Angels ($9K less)
Royalty Rate	5.0%	3.5% (lowest in category)	Visiting Angels (3.5%)
Avg Unit Revenue (AUV)	$1.8M	$1.2M	Home Instead (+50%)
Total Locations	1,200	700	Home Instead (+71%)
Franchisee Satisfaction	81/100	78/100	Home Instead (+3 pts)
Est. Payback Period	~7 months	~7 months	Home Instead (faster ROI)
Home-Based	Yes	Yes	Tie
Years in Business	32 years	28 years	Home Instead (more history)

Home Instead vs Visiting Angels (2026)

Home Instead

Visiting Angels

Side-by-Side Comparison

Franchisee Verdict

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