2026 Guide•43 franchises analyzed
Over 11,000 Americans turn 65 every day through 2027. Senior care franchises are riding a demographic wave, but caregiver recruitment is the make-or-break factor.
Best Senior Care Franchises to Own in 2026
Over 11,000 Americans turn 65 every day through 2027. Senior care franchises are riding a demographic wave, but caregiver recruitment is the make-or-break factor.
Senior care spans non-medical home care (companionship, daily assistance), medical home health (skilled nursing), and specialized services (dementia care, transition assistance). Most franchises focus on non-medical, which has lower regulatory burden, but also lower revenue per hour.
We analyzed 43 senior care FDDs to compare: investment requirements, caregiver economics, territory size, and growth rates. The data shows which franchisors support franchisee success versus those just selling territories.
Data source: 2025 FDD filings · 43 franchises analyzed · Updated January 2026
Key Findings from FDD Analysis
43
senior care franchises analyzed
$159K - $338K
avg. investment
$62K
avg. franchise fee
$1.2M
avg. revenue (Item 19)
How We Ranked These Senior care franchises
This page ranks senior care franchises by total locations, reported revenue from Item 19, projected growth, and franchisee retention. The industry splits between non-medical home care (companionship, daily assistance) and medical home health (skilled nursing). Non-medical has lower barriers; medical offers higher revenue per hour.
Top Senior care franchises at a Glance
Ranked by Number of Locations
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Locations | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SYNERGY HOME CARE | $78K - $159K | $53K | 550 | - |
| SENIOR HELPERS | $149K - $221K | $55K | 355 | $1.5M |
| ALWAYS BEST CARE SENIOR SERVICES | $90K - $146K | $50K | 275 | $3.7M |
| COMFORCARE HOME CARE | $73K - $164K | $59K | 248 | $1.3M |
| FIRSTLIGHT HOME CARE | $127K - $219K | $50K | 238 | $1.6M |
| COMFORCARE, COMFORCARE HOME CARE | $73K - $164K | $59K | 228 | $1.2M |
| HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS | $122K - $178K | $50K | 224 | $2.6M |
| CAREPATROL | $65K - $136K | $57K | 201 | $346K |
| Amada Senior Care | $118K - $430K | $57K | 196 | - |
| SENIORS HELPING SENIORS | $95K - $155K | $55K | 180 | $821K |
10 Best Senior care franchises Ranked
Growing
Investment
$78K - $159K
Franchise Fee
$53K
Locations
550
Royalty
5.0%
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Growing
Investment
$149K - $221K
Franchise Fee
$55K
Locations
355
Avg. Revenue
$1.5M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$90K - $146K
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
275
Avg. Revenue
$3.7M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$73K - $164K
Franchise Fee
$59K
Locations
248
Avg. Revenue
$1.3M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Growing
Investment
$127K - $219K
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
238
Avg. Revenue
$1.6M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$73K - $164K
Franchise Fee
$59K
Locations
228
Avg. Revenue
$1.2M
Source: 2024 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$122K - $178K
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
224
Avg. Revenue
$2.6M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$65K - $136K
Franchise Fee
$57K
Locations
201
Avg. Revenue
$346K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$118K - $430K
Franchise Fee
$57K
Locations
196
Royalty
5.0%
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$95K - $155K
Franchise Fee
$55K
Locations
180
Avg. Revenue
$821K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Highest Profit Senior care franchises
Ranked by net income, EBITDA, or owner earnings from Item 19 FDD disclosures. Not all franchises disclose profit data.
Investment
$92K - $165K
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
N/A
Est. Profit
$523K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Investment
$74K - $117K
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
1
Net Profit
$320K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Investment
$131K - $508K
Franchise Fee
$49K
Locations
2
Net Profit
$313K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Investment
$93K - $157K
Franchise Fee
$49K
Locations
0
Net Profit
$278K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$95K - $155K
Franchise Fee
$55K
Locations
180
Est. Profit
$241K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Highest Revenue Senior care franchises
Ranked by average gross revenue per location from Item 19 FDD disclosures.
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$90K - $146K
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
275
Avg. Revenue
$3.7M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$54K - $234K
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
179
Avg. Revenue
$2.8M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$54K - $234K
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
179
Avg. Revenue
$2.7M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$122K - $178K
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
224
Avg. Revenue
$2.6M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Litigation
Investment
$1.5M - $2.7M
Franchise Fee
$60K
Locations
84
Avg. Revenue
$2.5M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Fastest Growing Senior care franchises
Ranked by projected new locations from Item 20 of their FDD filings.
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$118K - $430K
Franchise Fee
$57K
Locations
196
Royalty
5.0%
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Growing
Investment
$78K - $159K
Franchise Fee
$53K
Locations
550
Royalty
5.0%
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Growing
Investment
$127K - $219K
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
238
Avg. Revenue
$1.6M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Growing
Investment
$33K - $58K
Franchise Fee
$27K
Locations
147
Avg. Revenue
$700K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Growing
Investment
$86K - $106K
Franchise Fee
$53K
Locations
108
Avg. Revenue
$193K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Most Affordable Senior care franchises
Ranked by minimum initial investment from Item 7 of their FDD filings.
Sorted by Minimum Investment
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Locations | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACTIKARE IN-HOME CARE SERVICES | $33K - $58K | $27K | 147 | $700K |
| HOMEWELL CARE SERVICES | $54K - $234K | $50K | 179 | $2.7M |
| HOMEWELL CARE SERVICES | $54K - $234K | $50K | 179 | $2.8M |
| FAMILY NEST⢠| $55K - $119K | $35K | 0 | - |
| CAREPATROL | $65K - $136K | $57K | 201 | $346K |
Who Should Consider Senior care franchises?
Senior care suits buyers comfortable with caregiver recruitment and management—the biggest operational challenge in this industry. Healthcare background helps in medical home health but isn't required for non-medical. The demographic trend (11,000 Americans turn 65 daily) provides strong demand tailwinds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Senior care franchises
How much does it cost to open a senior care franchise?
The average initial investment for senior care franchises ranges from $159K to $338K, based on our analysis of 43 FDD filings. The average franchise fee is $62K. The most affordable option is ACTIKARE IN-HOME CARE SERVICES, starting at just $33K.
What is the most profitable senior care franchise?
According to Item 19 financial performance disclosures, ALWAYS BEST CARE SENIOR SERVICES reports the highest average unit revenue at $3.7M. Other high-performing senior care franchises include HOMEWELL CARE SERVICES ($2.8M), HOMEWELL CARE SERVICES ($2.7M), HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS ($2.6M). Note: Not all franchises disclose Item 19 data.
What is the largest senior care franchise by number of locations?
SYNERGY HOME CARE is the largest with 550 locations nationwide. Other major senior care franchises include SENIOR HELPERS (355 locations), ALWAYS BEST CARE SENIOR SERVICES (275 locations), COMFORCARE HOME CARE (248 locations), FIRSTLIGHT HOME CARE (238 locations). Combined, the top 5 senior care franchises operate over 1,666 locations.
What is the cheapest senior care franchise to open?
The most affordable senior care franchises by initial investment are: ACTIKARE IN-HOME CARE SERVICES ($33K - $58K), HOMEWELL CARE SERVICES ($54K - $234K), HOMEWELL CARE SERVICES ($54K - $234K), FAMILY NEST⢠($55K - $119K), CAREPATROL ($65K - $136K). Lower investment often means smaller format, mobile/home-based, or service-based models.
How do I evaluate a senior care franchise opportunity?
Review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) carefully. Key sections include: Item 5 (fees), Item 7 (initial investment), Item 19 (financial performance, if disclosed), and Item 20 (outlet information including terminations and closures). Our database extracts this data from official FDDs to help you compare senior care franchises objectively.
Want to explore more senior care franchises?
Browse all senior care franchises in our database with advanced filters for investment range, location count, and more.
View All Senior care franchises