How to Choose the Home Care Franchise That's Right for You

With the UK’s ageing population growing rapidly and over 2 million people projected to be aged 85+ by 2041, the demand for quality domiciliary care has never been higher.

Cara Squires, writer

Published at 13/01/2022 , Updated on 22/07/2025, Reading time: 10 min

How to Choose the Home Care Franchise That's Right for You

This surge is fuelling strong growth in the UK care market, creating a resilient and rewarding environment for new business owners.

Franchising offers a proven, lower-risk route into this expanding sector, giving you the chance to make a meaningful impact in your community while building a profitable business. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right home care franchise for you?

Why the home care franchise sector is booming

The UK care market is experiencing sustained growth, fuelled by powerful demographic and economic trends. With over 11 million people currently aged 65 or older, a figure expected to grow dramatically in the next two decades, the demand for domiciliary care is rapidly increasing. More people want to age in place, and families are actively seeking flexible, compassionate home-based solutions.

The UK government is also playing a key role in supporting this shift. Initiatives like personal health budgets, additional social care funding, and a focus on integrated care systems are making care at home more accessible than ever. By encouraging independence and reducing hospital reliance, these policies are accelerating the transition from institutional care to home-based models.

This makes the home care sector not just relevant, but resilient and future-proof. It’s one of the few industries that combines consistent long-term demand with purpose-led work. For aspiring entrepreneurs looking for stability and impact, it’s clear why investing in a home care franchise is such a smart move, especially when entering the market through a proven franchise model that offers training and ongoing support.

Medical home care

Running a homecare franchise and offering clients medical care services is an exciting and profitable opportunity. Though your daily tasks will vary from business to business, it’s likely that you will be working with vulnerable and older adults with a variety of different needs, helping them to stay in their own homes AND get the care they need. It’s also likely that your role will be more managerial if you’re running a medical home care franchise, as you’ll be coordinating a team of trained medical professionals to meet the needs of your patients.

People often choose domiciliary care services because they wish to remain in the comfort of their own home rather than moving to a care home. Clients are able to live within an environment where they are happy and close by to their loved ones. We believe everyone should have the right to live within the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
- Apollo Care

How to choose a medical home care franchise

If running your own medical home care business interests you, then consider one of the best opportunities out there Apollo Care. It’s a nurse-led home care service that was first established in 2011 by an experienced community nurse named Cheryl White. To become a franchisee with Apollo Care, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £12,500, with franchise fees of £25,000.

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Non-medical home care

There are also other forms of caregiving franchise, and some are less focused on the medical side of things. Sometimes, care takes the form of palliative care or full domiciliary support. Other times, it might be as simple as medication management, light domestic duties, help with the shopping, and companionship. As a franchisee with a non-medical home care franchise, you’ll be able to provide quality care and assistance without the need for any medical training, and you’ll be massively improving your patients’ quality of life.

How to choose a non-medical home care franchise

Acacia Homecare is a brilliant non-medical opportunity if you’re looking to enter the home care sector. The franchise first opened its doors back in 2012 and has been providing specialist care to people in communities across the UK ever since. You can become a franchisee for a minimum initial investment of £22,950, with a total investment cost of £70,000.

Home care management

As a SylvianCare franchisee, your role will be to own and manage a domiciliary care business, supplying suitably trained care staff to those in need of our service. By providing this vital service we allow our clients to retain the independence associated with living in their own homes.
- SylvianCare

As mentioned already, some home care franchise investments will be more hands-on and directly involved in patient care than others. If you’d love to help others but you’d like to be able to do so on a larger scale, investing with a management-style franchise in the home care sector is probably the way to go. In this way, your business will be fully scalable. You’ll be hiring qualified, hard-working professionals to meet the care needs of your territory, and you’ll have the free time to effectively manage and run your franchise, even as it expands in time.

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How to choose a home care management franchise

If you’re looking for a home care franchise that’s offering management-level investment opportunities, look no further than SylvianCare. Founded in 2014 by Cristina Grancea and Silviu Pop, the business specialises in providing professional, individual and personalised care. You can become a SylvianCare franchisee for a minimum initial investment of £30,000, with franchise fees of £10,000 and a total investment cost of £62,500.

Healthcare recruitment

If you love the idea of working in a rewarding and meaningful industry like healthcare but you think your skills might be better suited somewhere outside the realm of client care, why not consider a recruitment franchise which hires specifically for the healthcare industry? In this role, you’ll be dedicating your time and energy to finding the best people for healthcare roles. Finding the right fit can be a lot of responsibility, but it’s also massively rewarding to match the right employers and employees, especially when the work they’re doing is so crucial.

How to choose a healthcare recruitment franchise

If you’re searching for a recruitment franchise that focuses on the healthcare industry, you can’t beat Tezlom. First established in 2008, the UK-wide recruitment agency that specialises in healthcare hiring plays an important role in assisting nurses, support workers and healthcare assistants in their pursuit of jobs. You can become a Tezlom franchisee for a minimum initial investment of £25,000, with franchise fees of £25,000 and a total investment cost of £60,000.

Key factors to consider when choosing a home care franchise

With so many home care franchises operating in the UK, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Each brand has its own strengths, investment level, and operational model, but not all will align with your personal values, financial goals, or local market. These key factors can make the difference between a thriving care franchise and one that struggles to find its footing.

1. Brand reputation and market presence

When evaluating your options, brand reputation should be one of your top considerations. In a sector built on trust and compassion, choosing from the top home care franchises in the UK gives you a crucial head start.

Established names like Blossom Home Care, Heritage Healthcare, and Walfinch are well-known for delivering high standards of service, and that recognition makes it easier to gain client trust from day one.

A strong market presence also signals proven systems and public confidence, which are especially important in such a highly regulated industry. For instance, the CQC (Care Quality Commission) rating of a home care brand isn’t just a badge of honour; it’s a key indicator of care quality, governance, and safety.

Consumers and referral partners often use these ratings as a deciding factor when selecting a top home care franchise. That’s why partnering with trusted care providers can make all the difference in how quickly your franchise earns credibility in your local area.

Ultimately, a well-regarded franchise with a solid market footprint not only brings brand awareness. It also gives you access to refined business systems, support networks, and the reputation needed to scale confidently.

2. Training and franchisee support

One of the biggest advantages of joining a home care franchise is the comprehensive support you’ll receive, especially if you’re new to the sector. Most reputable franchises offer structured franchise training programmes that guide you through everything from compliance and operations to marketing and recruitment.

This means you don’t need a medical background or years of industry experience to succeed. In fact, many models are designed as no-experience-needed care franchises, making them accessible to people from all walks of life.

Support typically doesn’t stop once your doors open. Ongoing franchise support often includes help with staff training, regulatory inspections (like those from the CQC), business development, and even local marketing campaigns. For example, brands like Heritage Healthcare and Promedica24 are known for providing robust onboarding and continuous mentorship, helping new franchisees navigate the challenges of running a care-based business.

3. Values, vision and culture fit

Beyond business models and profit margins, it’s essential to ask yourself: Do I believe in this brand’s purpose? The most successful franchisees are those whose personal motivations align closely with the franchise mission. In the home care sector, where trust, empathy and integrity are non-negotiable, this alignment can be the difference between a fulfilling long-term career and a short-lived venture.

Many of the UK’s leading care franchises, such as PerCurra and Caremark, place a strong emphasis on delivering value-driven care. They don’t just aim to grow; they aim to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals. From providing dignified support to promoting independence, their culture is built around ethical, person-centred care.

When a brand leads with compassion and puts people before profit, it signals a commitment to ethical franchising in the UK and attracts franchisees who want to do the same.

Questions to ask before you commit

Before investing in a home care franchise, it’s essential to dig deeper than the brochure. These key questions will help you uncover whether the opportunity truly aligns with your expectations, values, and financial goals.

How long has the franchisor been operating?

Experience matters. Established franchises tend to have more refined systems, stronger brand recognition, and a proven track record of supporting new business owners.

Can I speak to existing franchisees?

A reputable franchisor will encourage you to talk to current franchisees. Their insights can help you understand what day-to-day life is really like, and whether the promises made on paper hold true in practice.

What’s included in the franchise package?

Clarify exactly what you’re getting for your investment. This typically includes training, marketing materials, operational systems, and initial support, but the scope can vary greatly from one franchise to another.

How long before I reach profitability?

Ask for average performance data and timeframes based on existing franchisees. While every territory is different, this will give you a realistic view of what to expect in the early stages.

What ongoing support is provided?

Support shouldn’t stop after launch. Find out what kind of assistance you’ll receive as your business grows, including compliance updates, recruitment help, and local marketing support.

Are there any hidden costs?

Get clear on what’s included and what’s extra. Costs for software, insurance, CQC registration, or territory marketing might not be obvious upfront, but can impact your cash flow.

Start a homecare franchise today and enjoy all the perks of running your own business with franchisor support

Hopefully, you now have an even stronger sense of whether running a home care franchise is up your street and, if it is, where you might fit into the industry. Discover how to start your own home care franchise, the top four home care franchises in the UK and the five biggest advantages of starting a home care franchise.