Is Home Instead right for you?
Established Scale
626 franchised units across the U.S. with consistent net growth each of the past three years.
Protected Territory
Exclusive area based on minimum 10,000 seniors aged 65+, conditional on performance standards.
Recurring Revenue Model
Client hours generate ongoing gross sales with 5 percent royalty and 2 percent marketing fee structure.
About Home Instead
Home Instead is a senior home care franchise founded in 1994 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. The company is a subsidiary of Honor Technology, Inc. and operates a network of 626 franchised units and 8 company-owned units across the United States as of the end of 2025. Franchisees deliver non-medical companionship, personal care, nurse-directed services, Alzheimer's support, and end-of-life care using the company's proprietary systems and Care Platform.
Home Instead franchisees operate a local business that matches screened caregivers with older adults and other individuals needing in-home support. The model combines a technology-enabled Care Platform for recruiting, onboarding, training, scheduling, and billing caregivers with local sales, client management, and operational execution. Franchisees focus on building relationships with families, referral sources, and healthcare providers within a protected territory defined by a minimum senior population of 10,000.
Honor Technology, Inc. is a Delaware corporation that owns Home Instead, Inc. and has developed the Care Platform; its principal place of business is 13323 California Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154.
The business model
How a Home Instead territory actually makes money at the unit level.
Initial Franchise Fee
The initial franchise fee is $54,000. A $27,000 deposit reserves a market and is applied toward the fee or partially refunded.
Ongoing Fees
Royalty is 5 percent of gross sales. National marketing contribution is 2 percent of gross sales. Monthly technology fee is currently $500.
Total Investment Range
Estimated initial investment ranges from $926,400 to $3,505,500. This includes real estate, equipment, technology, training, inventory, advertising, and three months of additional funds.
Required Systems and Suppliers
Franchisees must use the Honor Care Platform and specified software including WellSky, Salesforce, and others. 30 to 85 percent of establishment costs and 10 to 50 percent of operating costs are estimated to be spent on required or approved sources.
Territory and Performance
Protected territory is granted with minimum senior population of 10,000. Exclusivity requires meeting and maintaining minimum monthly performance standards.
Supply Chain Economics
The franchisor and affiliates derive revenue from technology and services sold to franchisees. In 2025, Honor received $82.4 million in revenue from franchisees for services.
Quick facts
Initial franchise fee
$54,000
Total investment range
$92,640 to $350,550
Royalty
5.00% of gross revenue
Marketing fund
2.00% of gross revenue
Founded
1994
Headquarters
Omaha, NE
Active US franchisees
60
Total US units
149
Training & support
What the franchisor + parent platform provide. And what they don't.
What's provided
- +Initial training program provided at no charge for up to two attendees prior to opening.
- +Specialized operational guidance delivered during the first 10 weeks after opening via telephone, video conference, and email.
- +Access to comprehensive online Operations Manual and periodic system-wide meetings.
- +Optional supplemental training available at $500 per day plus expenses.
- +Ongoing access to the Honor Care Platform for caregiver recruiting, training, and management.
- +National, regional, and local marketing and public relations support funded by the 2 percent contribution.
Honest disclosure: what's NOT provided
The franchisor does not provide on-site initial training at the franchise location. Franchisees are responsible for all travel, lodging, and certain meal costs associated with attending initial training. Ongoing day-to-day operational management and caregiver hiring are the responsibility of the franchisee after the initial 10-week support period.
Multi-unit growth path
Multi-territory ownership is permitted and may reduce certain per-unit costs while increasing others such as management overhead. The the filed disclosures notes that institutional owners may be required to provide additional financial assurances up to $65,000. Development of additional territories is subject to franchisor approval, available market areas, and demonstrated performance in the initial territory. No specific multi-unit development schedules are disclosed.
Capital + financing paths
Most operators use one of these four paths to fund the initial investment.
Third-Party Lenders
Franchisees commonly utilize SBA 7(a) loan programs and other small business lenders familiar with senior care franchises. The initial investment range and established brand may support conventional financing for qualified buyers.
Deposit Application
The $27,000 market reservation deposit is credited toward the $54,000 initial franchise fee, reducing cash required at signing of the franchise agreement.
Vendor and Technology Financing
Certain equipment, software, and technology providers may offer leasing or financing options. Franchisees should evaluate terms independently.
Personal and Retirement Capital
Many franchisees utilize personal savings, home equity lines, or retirement plan rollovers through ROBS structures to fund the equity portion of the investment.
Process timeline: inquiry → grand opening
Typical 12-16 week path from first call to launching your first customer route.
Week 1-2
Execute deposit agreement, pay $27,000 deposit, and secure protected territory reservation.
Week 3-4
Complete franchise agreement, pay balance of $54,000 initial fee, and begin required systems setup.
Week 5-8
Attend initial training for up to two people at franchisor-designated location and complete all pre-opening technology and compliance requirements.
Week 9-12
Secure office space, hire initial staff if not self-managing, and launch local marketing and caregiver recruitment.
Week 13-16
Begin client acquisition, caregiver onboarding through the Care Platform, and receive specialized support during first 10 weeks of operations.
Month 4-6
Focus on building referral networks, optimizing caregiver utilization, and reaching initial performance standards to maintain territorial exclusivity.
Month 7+
Stabilize operations, evaluate multi-unit expansion opportunities, and participate in optional peer groups or national convention.
Match assessment
Are you a Home Instead match?
12 questions. Math-first. No high-pressure sales call afterwards. Just your match assessment and the reasoning behind it.
Start nowCommon questions
How much does a Home Instead franchise cost?
The initial franchise fee is $54,000. Estimated total initial investment ranges from $926,400 to $3,505,500 according to the investment disclosure of the the filed disclosures. This includes real estate, equipment, technology, training, and three months of working capital.
What is the royalty fee for Home Instead?
The royalty is 5 percent of gross sales. An additional 2 percent of gross sales is contributed to the national marketing fund. A monthly technology fee of $500 also applies.
Does Home Instead provide financial performance representations?
Yes. The the filed disclosures discloses 2025 average gross sales of $2,750,875.94 across 611 franchised businesses open the full year. 39 percent of locations met or exceeded this average. No net income or profit representations are made.
How many Home Instead franchises are there in the US?
As of December 31, 2025 there were 626 franchised outlets and 8 company-owned outlets for a total of 634 locations.
What territories does Home Instead offer?
Franchisees receive a protected territory defined by a minimum population of 10,000 people aged 65 and older. Exclusivity is conditional on meeting minimum monthly performance standards.
How long does it take to open a Home Instead franchise?
The typical timeline from deposit to opening is approximately 3 to 6 months. This includes training, office setup, caregiver recruitment, and initial marketing.
Does Home Instead offer multi-unit ownership?
Multi-territory development is permitted and may offer economies of scale. Additional territories are subject to franchisor approval and demonstrated performance in existing units.
What training and support does Home Instead provide?
Initial training is included for up to two people. Specialized support is provided for the first 10 weeks after opening. Ongoing access to the online operations manual, the Care Platform, and optional peer coaching programs is available.
How does Home Instead compare to other senior care franchises?
Home Instead is one of the largest senior care networks with 626 franchised units. Its model integrates a proprietary technology platform for caregiver management with local operations. Prospective buyers should compare disclosed gross sales, investment levels, and territorial requirements across brands.
Are Home Instead franchisees required to purchase from approved suppliers?
Yes. Franchisees must use the Honor Care Platform and designated software and services. The the filed disclosures estimates 30-85 percent of establishment costs and 10-50 percent of operating costs are spent on required or approved sources.
What is the average gross sales for a Home Instead franchise?
The 2025 average gross sales for 611 mature franchised businesses was $2,750,875.94. Results vary significantly by territory tenure, management, and local market conditions.
Can I get financing to buy a Home Instead franchise?
Many franchisees utilize SBA loans, conventional bank financing, or personal capital. The franchisor does not offer direct financing. Qualified buyers should consult lenders experienced with healthcare service franchises.
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