Visiting Angels

Visiting Angels was created to provide nonmedical, in home care for seniors and people with disabilities who want to remain at home. Larry Meigs and Jeffrey Johnson founded the company in 1998, although some historical accounts also mention Daniel Kalitsi and one record gives 1992 as Johnson’s founding date. The franchising system began in 1998. Meigs has served as President and CEO since the company’s inception, while Johnson brought experience as a nursing home social worker and Meigs brought franchise development experience. Living Assistance Services, Inc. is the parent company. Its corporate address is 937 Haverford Road, Suite 200, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, while franchise data lists Columbus, OH as headquarters. The company focuses on helping franchisees build caring relationships with clients and their families. Visiting Angels reports more than 600 nonmedical, private duty home care agencies in the United States, including more than 570 locations in 2025 and 597 franchise units in November 2025. Its 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document reports 539 total units, all franchise owned, while separate franchise data lists 59 total units and 106 franchised units. The network grew from 431 units in 2012 to 558 in 2019 and 2020. Globally, more than 800 franchisees operate across five countries, serving over 15,000 clients and employing nearly 16,000 caregivers. The global market for services for elderly people and people with disabilities reached nearly $421.3 billion in 2023. PeerSense’s analysis considers the brand within this expanding sector, while PeerSense remains a commercial capital advisory firm rather than a lender.

Services for elderly people and people with disabilities reached nearly $421.3 billion globally in 2023, with a 5.53% compound annual growth rate since 2018. The market is projected to reach $591.2 billion by 2028 at a 7.01% growth rate and $851.4 billion by 2033 at a 7.57% growth rate. Elderly services represented 75.78% of the 2023 market, or $319.2 billion. Services for disabled adults are forecast to grow at a 7.18% rate from 2023 to 2028. Home care is projected to be the fastest growing service type, with an 8.15% growth rate from 2023 to 2028. Institutional care remained the largest segment in 2023 at 52.36%, or $220.6 billion, but is growing more slowly. The United States Elderly and Disabled Services market was valued at $79.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $82.1 billion in 2026. It grew at a 1.6% rate from 2020 to 2025 and a 2.0% rate from 2021 to 2026. Seventy seven percent of adults age 50 and older want to remain at home as they age, and 80 million Americans are expected to be over age 65 by 2040. Fifteen million Americans currently use home care services, while many people who need care cannot access it. Fifty three million adults provide unpaid care, and 47% of these caregivers accumulate credit card debt related to caregiving. The sector includes many small local providers, leaving room for established franchise systems. Specialized transportation and smart home systems are also being developed to support senior mobility, safety, and independence.

The franchise data lists an initial franchise fee of $37,000. Other sources report a standard fee of $51,950, a range of $49,950 to $79,950, and promotional figures of $48,950 with a standard fee of $57,950 or $49,950 with a standard fee of $59,950. Territory size and the applicable Franchise Disclosure Document can affect the fee. Reported tiered fees include $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. The UK franchise fee is £32,995 plus VAT. Reported total initial investment ranges from $60,000 to $1.56 million, with other sources citing $125,460 to $171,150 or $123,460 to $161,150. Listed expenses include $51,950 to $89,950 for the franchise fee, approximately $1,500 for printing and supplies, around $5,000 for deposits, insurance, licenses, and lease expenses, and $9,500 for Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Other costs include minimum royalties of $1,485 to $1,875 for the first three months, training travel and lodging of $1,500 to $2,000 per person, hardware of $3,000, software of $1,450 to $3,000, advertising fees of $1,275 to $1,725, local advertising of $1,800 to $3,600, and $50,000 for additional funds over three months. Reported liquid capital requirements are $110,000, $64,950, or $50,000. UK franchisees are reported to need approximately £30,000 in liquid capital and £50,000 to £60,000 in working capital, with up to 70% bank funding typically available. Minimum monthly royalties begin at $495, or $625 in a 325K population territory, in the second month after training and rise to $650, or $825 in that territory, in month 24; $875, or $1,075, in month 48; and $1,095, or $1,295, in month 60. Franchisees also pay a 2% to 2.5% advertising or national brand fund fee. UK franchisees pay a 4.5% Management Service Fee and a 1.5% National Marketing Fund contribution. Qualified military veterans receive a 5% franchise fee discount. The franchisor does not provide direct or indirect financing and does not guarantee a franchisee note, lease, or other obligation.

Franchise owners are expected to build local relationships with healthcare professionals, affiliates, private organizations, and public bodies to develop referrals. They also recruit and manage care staff and oversee client relationships. The model centers on nonmedical, private duty services delivered in clients’ homes, with no separate physical formats identified. Initial training lasts 26.5 hours over five days and may take place in person at the franchisor’s facility in Newtown Square, PA, or virtually. Up to two people, including the franchisee, may attend without an additional charge. For a partnership or corporation, at least one general partner or principal shareholder must attend. The second attendee may be a family member, key employee, or manager. Ongoing support includes guidance from directors with more than 100 years of combined in home care experience, personalized and group training, annual conferences, partnership programs, an intranet, and weekly updates. Marketing support helps franchisees identify and reach home care clients. Recruiting resources include job specifications, sample advertisements, placement guidance, a personality profiling tool, and interview assistance. Territories are protected, and the boundaries are set by agreement using demographics, population density, and competition. Boundaries cannot be changed without both parties’ consent, and additional protected territory may be purchased. The hands on model generally suits owner operators, though Les DeFelice operates multiple locations. At least one person named as the franchisee in the Franchise Agreement must attend the annual national conference during each of the first four years.

The company states that franchisees can generate substantial revenue with a relatively small share of their protected territory. The broader market reached $421.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $851.4 billion by 2033, while home care is projected to grow at an 8.15% rate from 2023 to 2028. The United States market is projected to reach $82.1 billion in 2026. Franchise data lists 59 total units and 106 franchised units, compared with reports of more than 600 United States agencies and more than 800 franchisees worldwide. Other figures show growth from 431 units in 2012 to 597 units in November 2025. PeerSense reports a Loan Activity Score of 70. A November 2025 Franchisee Satisfaction Report from Franchise Business Review found that 98% of franchisees enjoy being part of the organization, 99% would recommend the franchise, and 98% enjoy operating the business. In the UK, five offices have exceeded £1 million in turnover. Top performing UK locations report 95% caregiver retention, compared with sector personnel turnover of 40%, while the national average staff turnover rate for Visiting Angels is 12%. Lower turnover can reduce recruiting and training costs and support consistent client relationships.

Visiting Angels has expanded in the nonmedical, in home care sector from 431 units in 2012 to 558 in 2019 and 2020, 539 total units in the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, and 597 franchise units in November 2025. Other reports cite more than 600 United States agencies, more than 570 United States locations in 2025, and more than 800 franchisees across five countries. The UK network launched in 2017 under Dan Archer and grew to more than 60 franchisees in five years. The company advocates for older adults and supports efforts to improve care access and affordability, including a proposed Home Care Tax Credit for families, especially lower and middle income households. Its stated competitive strengths include brand recognition since franchising began in 1998, a proven operating model, support systems, protected territories, and high client satisfaction with caregivers known as Angels. Visiting Angels is also developing specialized transportation and smart home systems for senior mobility, safety, and independence. The company has received recruitment and retention recognition, including the Stars Of Social Care National Award. Caregiver retention is 95% at top performing UK locations, compared with sector turnover of 40% and Visiting Angels’ national turnover of 12%.

The intended franchisee is someone motivated to serve the community, with prior senior care experience not required. Training and ongoing support allow people from varied professional backgrounds to operate an agency. Will Bruck moved from working as an electrician to owning a Visiting Angels agency, illustrating the value placed on service commitment and business ability. Franchisees should expect hands on responsibility for staff management and client relationships. The model favors engaged owner operators, while examples such as Les DeFelice show that multi unit ownership is possible.