Home Instead^®

Senior & Assisted Living Services • Year: 2026

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What Is Home Instead?

Home Instead is a franchise in the Senior & Assisted Living Services category that provides in-home care services for older adults and other individuals. The operational model delivers services in clients' homes through employed Care Pros, serving individual consumers (B2C). The core service bundle includes companionship, personal, nurse-directed and specialized services, including end-of-life and Alzheimer’s support, and the system may include an optional centralized Care Platform for recruitment, onboarding, training, care management, and billing in certain markets.

Home Instead Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchisor has an excellent Franchise Stability Score of 92/100, signaling unusually strong franchisee retention across its 625 outlets (619 franchised), but recurring disputes are a clear risk: reacquired outlets (4), franchisee-initiated settlements (2) and franchisor enforcement actions (2) all run above typical and suggest operator turnover.

Pros

An Excellent Franchise Stability Score of 92/100 - well above typical for Senior & Assisted Living (top tier) - signals unusually strong franchisee retention, so operators overwhelmingly stay in the system.

625 outlets (619 franchised) - well above typical for the sector (top 5%) - gives you a large, proven network for brand recognition, training resources and peer support.

Franchisees do not pay expenses for ongoing training - an uncommon benefit (96% of peers make franchisees pay) - this lowers your recurring cash outlays.

Cons

Reacquired outlets (4), franchisee-initiated settlements (2) and franchisor-initiated enforcement actions (2) are all above typical for the sector - these together indicate recurring disputes and some operator turnover.

No franchisee right to relocate - an unusual absence (87.9% of peers allow relocation) - limits your flexibility to move or re-site an underperforming unit and can reduce exit/options.

Company-owned units: 6 - reported as well above typical (top 10%) - a higher-than-expected corporate presence raises questions about the franchisor's growth strategy and commitment to expanding via franchisees.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

78/100

NORMAL

Home Instead: The Facts: Home Instead has pursued active enforcement of system standards-recent suits allege trademark/Lanham Act violations, trade-secret misappropriation, and enforcement of post‑termination non‑competes and debranding; matters were resolved via settlement and stipulated judgments without admission of liability. The Advice: Review post‑termination obligations in the franchise agreement and Item 12 territorial protections; consult counsel on enforceability.

Territory Protection

40/100

NORMAL

Home Instead grants a protected, site‑specific territory (Exhibit A) set by third‑party demographics with a minimum estimated 10,000 residents aged 65+. Exclusivity is contingent on meeting performance quotas; the franchisor retains rights to develop additional units in the surrounding market, operate National Accounts, and sell via e‑commerce and other alternative distribution channels.

Training & Support

42/100

NORMAL

Home Instead provides a focused 45-hour training curriculum designed to prepare two individuals for operational launch. The program includes on-site launch support for operational readiness, with on-site assistance available for an additional fee while the franchisor covers living expenses.

Franchisee Stability

Excellent

Home Instead earns an Excellent Stability Score. Three-year turnover of 1.41% is well below the typical franchise, which reports turnover of around 6%. Out of 26 total exits across the three reported years, ceased operations dominated with 18, alongside 3 terminations, no non-renewals, and 5 franchisor buybacks.

The dominance of ceased operations suggests location-level economics: operators appear to have chosen to close underperforming locations rather than exits driven primarily by franchisor enforcement. The system counts about 616 franchised outlets in the most recent year. Prospective buyers should review unit-level performance in the geographies where closures clustered and speak with current and former owners about market conditions and operational support. Ask to see examples where the franchisor helped a struggling location recover and how long that process took. For prospective franchisees, this is among the strongest retention profiles in franchising.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Home Instead Franchise?

Opening a Home Instead franchise requires a total initial investment of $103,000 to $130,000, according to the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$103,000

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$130,000

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$59,000

Real Estate$1,000

Equipment & Assets$4,500

Reserves$30,000

Training$500

Other$8,000

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$59,000

Real Estate$3,500

Equipment & Assets$11,500

Reserves$40,000

Training$1,000

Other$15,000

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

How Much Do Home Instead Franchise Owners Make?

Home Instead franchise locations reported average gross sales of $2,609,616 and median gross sales of $2,261,503 in 2026, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$2,609,616

Median Gross Sales:

$2,261,503

High Gross Sales:

$10,914,442

Low Gross Sales:

$122,209

Sample Size:

603

Percent Attaining Average:

41.0%

Audit Status:

Unaudited

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: For 2024 the per-franchise sample (N=603) shows an average gross sales of $2,609,616 and a median of $2,261,503. Only 248 franchises (41%) met or exceeded the average. The mean exceeds the median, indicating the average is being pulled upward by higher‑performing outliers (highest reported gross sales = $10,914,442; lowest = $122,209).

Performance Variability Analysis: Performance is highly dispersed: the cohort distribution shows the largest share of franchises (32%) in the $2,000,000–$2,999,999 range, with meaningful representation in the $3,000,000–$4,499,999 (18%) and $1,000,000–$1,499,999 (16%) buckets. A small number of very high performers (2% at $7.5M+) drive the mean upward. The full range ($122k to $10.9M) and only 41% meeting/exceeding the mean underscore substantial variability in revenue outcomes between locations.

Data Scope and Limitations: The figures are based on royalty records reported by 603 Home Instead U.S. franchised businesses in operation as of Dec 31, 2024; they exclude affiliate‑owned businesses and 16 franchised businesses that opened after Jan 1, 2024. The Item 19 tables were prepared by management and have not been independently audited. Gross Sales here exclude taxes, refunds/credits, and certain adjustments; the tables do not include cost of goods sold, operating expenses or net income, so profitability or cash‑flow cannot be inferred from the reported Gross Sales alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Home Instead a good franchise to own?

Whether Home Instead is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2026 FDD: Home Instead operates 625 locations, received a legal risk score of 78/100, a training and support score of 42/100. Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.

Is a Home Instead franchise worth the investment?

The value of a Home Instead franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $103,000 to $130,000. Home Instead disclosed average gross sales of $2,609,616 in 2026. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.

How long does it take to break even with a Home Instead franchise?

Break-even timelines for Home Instead franchises are not disclosed in the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.

Is Home Instead a franchise or a corporate-owned business?

As of the 2026 FDD, Home Instead operates 619 franchised locations and 6 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.

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