Comfort Keepers vs Homewatch CareGivers
Comfort Keepers vs Homewatch CareGivers: Comfort Keepers costs $120K to $191K to open; Homewatch CareGivers costs $122K to $178K. Comfort Keepers has 624 units, Homewatch CareGivers has 55. SBA loan history: Comfort Keepers = 134 loans (2.2% default); Homewatch CareGivers = 70 loans (11.4% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Comfort Keepers vs Homewatch CareGivers: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Comfort Keepers requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($120K vs $122K for Homewatch CareGivers), a 2% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $55K for Comfort Keepers versus $50K for Homewatch CareGivers, Homewatch CareGivers has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 5% for Comfort Keepers and 5% for Homewatch CareGivers, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Comfort Keepers operates 624 units to Homewatch CareGivers's 55, roughly 11× the system size. Homewatch CareGivers has been operating 46 years (founded 1980) versus 28 for Comfort Keepers (founded 1998), a 18-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Comfort Keepers has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 134 7(a) approvals compared with 70 for Homewatch CareGivers. Comfort Keepers's peak SBA year was 2022 (16 loans); Homewatch CareGivers's peak was 2025 (12 loans). Homewatch CareGivers's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems have the most SBA funded units in CA. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Comfort Keepers deals is $541K vs $270K for Homewatch CareGivers, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 2.2% for Comfort Keepers and 11.4% for Homewatch CareGivers, Comfort Keepers has the cleaner SBA loss record by 9.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 77 (Strong) for Comfort Keepers and 79 (Strong) for Homewatch CareGivers, giving Homewatch CareGivers the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 77/100 | 79/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Growing |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 134 | 70 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 2.2% | 11.4% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $120K to $191K | $122K to $178K |
Franchise Fee | $55K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | 5% | 5% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 1% |
Liquid Capital | $100K | $80K |
Net Worth Required | $300K | $350K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 624 | 55 |
Franchised Units | 619 | 55 |
Company Owned | 5 | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1998 | 1980 |
Franchising Since | 1999 | 1996 |
Years Franchising | 27 yrs | 30 yrs |
Headquarters | Irvine, CA | Columbia, MD |
Category | Home Care & Senior Services | Home Care & Senior Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Comfort Keepers or Homewatch CareGivers?
Lower upfront capital required
Comfort Keepers
Comfort Keepers: $120K starting · Homewatch CareGivers: $122K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Comfort Keepers
Comfort Keepers: 134 SBA loans · Homewatch CareGivers: 70 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Comfort Keepers
Comfort Keepers: 2.2% · Homewatch CareGivers: 11.4%
Larger system & brand presence
Comfort Keepers
Comfort Keepers: 624 units · Homewatch CareGivers: 55 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Comfort Keepers: 5% · Homewatch CareGivers: 5%
More lender financing options
Comfort Keepers
Comfort Keepers: 69 unique lenders · Homewatch CareGivers: 33 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
Need Funding for Comfort Keepers or Homewatch CareGivers?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Comfort Keepers vs Homewatch CareGivers: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Comfort Keepers and Homewatch CareGivers is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $120K to $191K.
Comfort Keepers has 134 SBA loans on record and Homewatch CareGivers has 70. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Both brands have an established underwriting path, though the lender that fits a specific deal still depends on its size, location and the buyer.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Comfort Keepers vs Homewatch CareGivers, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Comfort Keepers or Homewatch CareGivers?
How much does a Comfort Keepers franchise cost compared to Homewatch CareGivers?
Can I finance Comfort Keepers or Homewatch CareGivers with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Comfort Keepers or Homewatch CareGivers?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman