Visiting Angels

The profound societal shift towards an aging global population, coupled with an overwhelming preference for seniors to maintain their independence within the comfort of their own homes, presents a compelling challenge for families seeking compassionate care solutions. This challenge forms the core problem that the Visiting Angels franchise was meticulously designed to solve, offering a vital non-medical in-home care option for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Founded in 1998 by Larry Meigs and Jeffrey Johnson, with some historical accounts also noting Daniel Kalitsi's involvement, Visiting Angels emerged from a clear vision to provide a caring alternative to traditional nursing facilities. Larry Meigs has steered the company as its President and CEO since its inception, while Jeffrey Johnson, leveraging his background as a former nursing home social worker, recognized the critical need for seniors to age comfortably at home, partnering with Meigs, a seasoned franchise developer, to bring this essential business model to fruition. While one historical record points to a 1992 founding by Jeffrey Johnson, the franchising system itself was firmly established in 1998. The parent company, Living Assistance Services, Inc., oversees the Visiting Angels network, with its corporate address listed as 937 Haverford Road, Suite 200, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, though the franchise data identifies its headquarters in Columbus, OH. The core mission, consistently guided by Larry Meigs, is to empower franchisees to cultivate deeply caring relationships with clients and their families, fostering a compassionate environment that supports seniors and adults in their familiar home settings. Visiting Angels has established itself as a significant and expanding force within the rapidly growing senior care industry, demonstrating a robust presence across both the United States and internationally. The brand has expanded to over 600 non-medical, private-duty home care agencies throughout the United States, with specific reports indicating over 570 locations across the U.S. as of 2025 and 597 franchise units reported in November 2025. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document indicates 539 total units, all of which were franchised-owned and zero company-owned, contrasting with the franchise data provided which lists 59 total units and 106 franchised units, a discrepancy that suggests either different reporting periods or a distinction between total agencies and specific franchise agreements. Regardless of the precise unit count interpretation, the company's growth trajectory is undeniable, having grown from 431 units in 2012 to 558 in 2019 and 2020. Globally, Visiting Angels boasts over 800 franchisees operating across five countries, collectively supporting more than 15,000 clients and employing nearly 16,000 caregivers worldwide. This expansive reach underscores its dominant market position in a sector that represents a total addressable market size for global services for the elderly and persons with disabilities that reached nearly $421.3 billion in 2023. For franchise investors, Visiting Angels represents a compelling opportunity to engage with a proven model in a high-demand industry, an independent analysis from PeerSense confirms its strategic importance.

The industry landscape for services catering to the elderly and persons with disabilities presents an exceptionally robust and expanding market, making it a highly attractive sector for franchise investment. The global market for these services achieved a value of nearly $421.3 billion in 2023, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.53% since 2018. Projections indicate a substantial increase, with the market expected to grow to $591.2 billion by 2028 at an accelerated rate of 7.01%, further expanding to $851.4 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 7.57%. The elderly market segment alone accounted for a significant 75.78% of the total market in 2023, translating to $319.2 billion, while the disabled adults segment is forecast to be the fastest-growing component, with a projected CAGR of 7.18% between 2023 and 2028. Within this expansive market, home care stands out as the most rapidly expanding service type segment, anticipated to grow at an impressive CAGR of 8.15% from 2023 to 2028, significantly outpacing institutional care, which, despite being the largest segment at 52.36% or $220.6 billion in 2023, exhibits slower growth. The US market for Elderly & Disabled Services alone was valued at $79.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $82.1 billion in 2026, having grown at a 1.6% CAGR between 2020 and 2025, and a 2.0% CAGR between 2021 and 2026. Key consumer trends are unequivocally driving this demand, with 77% of adults aged 50 and older expressing a strong desire to remain in their homes as they age. This preference, combined with the demographic reality that 80 million Americans will be over 65 by 2040, creates powerful secular tailwinds benefiting the Visiting Angels franchise. Currently, 15 million Americans rely on home care services, yet a significant portion of those in need cannot access it, highlighting a substantial unmet demand. Moreover, 53 million adults provide unpaid care, frequently incurring considerable personal costs, with 47% of these caregivers accumulating credit card debt due to their caregiving responsibilities. This context underscores the critical value proposition of in-home care, which is not only significantly more cost-effective than institutional care but also contributes to reducing systemic healthcare costs and enhancing workforce participation. The industry itself is highly fragmented, characterized by numerous small, local organizations, which creates a significant opportunity for established, well-supported franchise brands like Visiting Angels to consolidate market share and offer a consistent, high-quality service. Macro forces, including the development of specialized transportation for enhanced senior mobility and the integration of smart home systems for improved safety and independence, further augment the growth potential within this essential category, proving its resilience as a recession-proof and pandemic-proof sector.

Considering a Visiting Angels franchise investment involves a comprehensive understanding of its financial requirements and ongoing obligations. The initial franchise fee, as indicated in the provided franchise data, stands at $37,000. However, it is important for prospective investors to note that other sources cite a standard initial franchise fee of $51,950, with a reported range from $49,950 to $79,950, and some promotional materials even suggesting fees as low as $48,950 (standard $57,950) or $49,950 (standard $59,950). This variation often depends on the specific FDD version, promotional offers, or the size of the territory granted, as evidenced by a tiered structure where the fee can be $51,950 for populations up to 100,000, $64,950 for populations between 100,000 and 200,000, and $89,950 for populations of 325,000. For international expansion, the initial investment (franchise fee) in the UK is £32,995 plus VAT. The total initial investment required for a Visiting Angels franchise, according to the franchise data, ranges from $60,000 to $1.56 million. This broad range can be further understood by examining the detailed breakdown provided by other sources, which cite ranges such as $125,460 to $171,150 or $123,460 to $161,150. These total costs encompass various essential expenses, including the initial franchise fee ($51,950 to $89,950 based on territory size), approximately $1,500 for printing and supplies, around $5,000 for deposits, insurances, licenses, and lease, and $9,500 for Workers' Compensation Insurance. Additionally, initial operational costs include a minimum royalty for the first three months ranging from $1,485 to $1,875, travel and lodging expenses during training estimated at $1,500 to $2,000 per person, and computer and software costs ranging from $0 to $3,000 for hardware and $1,450 to $3,000 for software. Marketing efforts are also factored in with an advertising fee plus local ads for the first three months, totaling $1,275 to $1,725 for the fee and $1,800 to $3,600 for local ads, alongside an allocation of $50,000 for additional funds over three months to ensure operational stability. The liquid capital required, as per the franchise data, is $110,000, though other sources suggest a minimum liquid capital of $64,950 or even $50,000, with UK franchisees needing approximately £30,000 in liquid capital and expected working capital of £50,000-£60,000, with up to 70% bank funding typically available. Ongoing fees for a Visiting Angels franchise include a royalty rate of 3.5% of total gross revenues, a figure that can decrease to 3.25% once monthly revenues reach $125,000, and further to 3.0% after $225,000 per month. Minimum monthly royalty fees are also structured, starting at $495 (or $625/month in a 325K population territory) by the second month post-training, escalating to $650 per month (or $825/month in a 325K population territory) in the 24th month, $875 per month (or $1,075/month in a 325K population territory) in the 48th month, and $1,095 per month (or $1,295/month in a 325K population territory) in the 60th month. In addition to royalties, franchisees contribute an advertising or national brand fund fee of 2% to 2.5%, while UK franchisees pay a Management Service Fee (royalty) of 4.5% of turnover and an additional 1.5% contribution for the National Marketing Fund. For qualified military veterans, Visiting Angels offers a 5% discount on the franchise fee, underscoring its commitment to supporting those who have served. The franchisor, however, does not offer direct or indirect financing and does not guarantee a franchisee's note, lease, or obligation. This investment profile positions Visiting Angels as a mid-tier franchise investment, accessible to individuals with significant liquid capital and a clear understanding of the comprehensive cost structure required to establish a thriving in-home care business.

The operational model and support structure for a Visiting Angels franchise are designed to equip franchisees with the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in the demanding in-home care sector. Daily operations for a franchisee are multifaceted, requiring active engagement in networking within their local community and building relationships with healthcare professionals, affiliates, and both private and public bodies to generate interest and secure client referrals. A critical component of the business model involves building a dedicated team of experienced care staff to manage the daily provision of services and to recruit high-quality care workers, underscoring the hands-on operational involvement required, particularly in staff management and client relationship development. While Visiting Angels focuses on non-medical, private-duty home care agencies, there are no specific mentions of different physical format options like drive-thrus or kiosks, indicating a consistent service delivery model centered on in-home care. The initial training program is comprehensive, consisting of 26.5 hours of intensive training delivered over five days, which can be conducted either in-person at the franchisor's training facility in Newtown Square, PA, or virtually, offering flexibility for new owners. Franchisees are permitted to bring up to two individuals, including themselves, to this initial training at no additional charge; if the franchisee is a partnership or corporation, at least one general partner or principal shareholder must attend, with the second individual typically being a family member, key employee, or manager. Beyond this foundational training, Visiting Angels provides extensive ongoing corporate support, including guidance from experienced directors who collectively bring over 100 years of expertise in the in-home care industry. Franchise owners benefit from a continuous stream of support through personalized and group training sessions, annual conferences, and valuable partnership programs. A robust intranet system and weekly updates ensure franchisees have constant access to essential information and resources, facilitating efficient operations and informed decision-making. Marketing assistance is also provided to help franchisees effectively identify and connect with ideal home care clients, a crucial aspect in a competitive market. Furthermore, the company offers substantial resources for recruiting staff, including detailed job specifications, template job advertisements, advice on best practices for placement, and access to a personality profiling tool, along with assistance for initial interviews, all designed to support the "carer-centric" approach that places caregivers at the heart of the business to ensure high-quality service and exceptional retention rates. The territory structure for Visiting Angels franchisees is designed to be protected, ensuring that no other franchise utilizing the same trademarks or offering similar services will be established within a franchisee's designated area. The boundaries of this protected territory are determined through mutual agreement, based on critical factors such as demographics, population density, and existing competition, and once established, these boundaries cannot be altered without the consent of both parties. The option to purchase additional protected territory for a fee is also available, allowing for strategic expansion. While the model primarily supports owner-operators due to the required hands-on involvement, successful franchisees like Les DeFelice operate in multiple locations, indicating potential for multi-unit ownership. It is also required that at least one individual or principal named as "franchisee" on the Franchise Agreement attends the franchisor's annual national conference each year for the first four years of their franchised business, reinforcing the commitment to ongoing learning and network engagement.

While the current Franchise Disclosure Document for Visiting Angels does not contain Item 19 financial performance data, thereby precluding specific average unit volume or median revenue figures from the FDD, publicly available information and industry benchmarks offer valuable insights into the potential financial performance of a Visiting Angels franchise. Despite the absence of specific Item 19 disclosure, Visiting Angels publicly states that its franchisees achieve average annual revenues of approximately $2 million, coupled with impressive gross profit margins ranging from 35% to 40%. This assertion is further supported by the company's emphasis that franchisees are able to generate substantial revenues even with a relatively small market share within their protected territories. The broader market context underscores this potential, as the global services for the elderly and persons with disabilities market, valued at $421.3 billion in 2023, is projected to surge to $851.4 billion by 2033, with home care identified as the fastest-growing service type segment, exhibiting an 8.15% CAGR between 2023 and 2028. The US market alone is anticipated to reach $82.1 billion in 2026. This robust industry growth provides a strong foundation for the revenue claims made by Visiting Angels. The provided franchise data indicates 59 total units and 106 franchised units, which, while appearing to be a discrepancy compared to web research figures stating over 600 US agencies and 800 global franchisees, might represent a specific reporting snapshot or a different classification method. However, the consistent growth reported elsewhere, from 431 units in 2012 to 597 units by November 2025, clearly points to an expanding and successful network. A strong FPI Score of 70, as reported by PeerSense, further indicates robust franchisee satisfaction and performance across the system. This high satisfaction is corroborated by a November 2025 Franchisee Satisfaction Report by Franchise Business Review, which found that 98% of Visiting Angels franchisees enjoy being part of the organization, 99% are likely to recommend the franchise to others, and 98% enjoy operating the business. This level of satisfaction often correlates directly with strong unit-level profitability and operational efficiency. In the UK, five Visiting Angels offices have notably exceeded the £1 million milestone in turnover, providing concrete examples of high revenue potential. The company’s "carer-centric" approach has yielded remarkable results in terms of staff retention, with top-performing UK locations achieving a 95% retention rate for caregivers, significantly outperforming the sector's average personnel turnover rate of 40%, while the national average staff turnover rate for Visiting Angels stands at a mere 12%. This superior caregiver retention directly impacts operational consistency, client satisfaction, and ultimately, the profitability of individual Visiting Angels franchise units by reducing recruitment and training costs and fostering stronger client relationships. The combination of a rapidly expanding market, strong franchisee satisfaction, and impressive operational metrics suggests a compelling financial opportunity, even without explicit Item 19 disclosure.

The growth trajectory of Visiting Angels demonstrates a consistent expansion within the non-medical in-home care sector. While the franchise data provided lists 59 total units and 106 franchised units, other sources indicate a much larger and rapidly expanding footprint. For instance, the company has grown to over 600 non-medical, private-duty home care agencies throughout the United States, with reports of over 570 locations across the U.S. as of 2025 and 597 franchise units reported in November 2025. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document specifically indicated 539 total units, all franchised-owned, showcasing a significant increase from 431 units in 2012 to 558 in 2019 and 2020. Globally, Visiting Angels has expanded to over 800 franchisees across five countries. The UK network, launched in 2017 under Dan Archer, has seen particularly strong growth, expanding to over 60 franchisees in just five years, making it the fastest-expanding home care franchise in the UK. This consistent net growth in units underscores the brand's ability to attract new investors and penetrate new markets effectively. Recent corporate developments highlight Visiting Angels' proactive stance in the industry, including active advocacy for the elderly population and efforts to improve access and affordability of home care, such as championing a Home Care Tax Credit. This refundable tax credit aims to provide direct financial relief to families, especially lower and middle-income households, directly supporting the client base of Visiting Angels. The company's "carer-centric" approach has been a significant competitive differentiator, leading to exceptional caregiver retention rates, such as 95% for top-performing UK locations, drastically lower than the sector's average personnel turnover rate of 40%, with Visiting Angels' national average staff turnover rate at 12%. This focus has earned the company awards for recruitment and retention, including the Stars Of Social Care National Award. The competitive moat for Visiting Angels is built upon several pillars: strong brand recognition established since its franchising began in 1998, a proven business model, comprehensive support systems, and the provision of protected territories. The high client satisfaction, with caregivers affectionately known as "Angels," further strengthens customer loyalty. The brand is also adapting to current market conditions by developing new specialized transportation for enhanced senior mobility and integrating smart home systems for improved safety and independence, ensuring its services remain at the forefront of innovation in the elderly and disabled services market. These strategic initiatives and operational strengths ensure the Visiting Angels franchise remains highly competitive and relevant in a market characterized by an all-time high demand for home care, proving its resilience as a recession-proof and pandemic-proof business.

The ideal Visiting Angels franchisee is characterized by a strong drive to make a positive impact within their community, rather than necessarily possessing prior senior care experience. The comprehensive training and support structure provided by the franchisor means that candidates from diverse professional backgrounds can successfully transition into owning and operating a Visiting Angels agency. For example, Will Bruck successfully transitioned from being an electrician to owning a Visiting Angels agency, demonstrating that a commitment to service and business acumen are more critical than specific industry experience. Franchisees are expected to have a hands-on operational involvement, particularly in staff management and client relationship development, indicating a preference for owner-operators who are deeply engaged in their business. While the model supports dedicated owner-operators, there are clear pathways and examples of multi-unit ownership, with franchisees like Les DeFelice operating in multiple locations, underscoring the potential for growth beyond a