LAST UPDATED: March 2026
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://griswoldfranchise.com
1851 NEWSROOM: https://1851franchise.com/griswold
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 146
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $99,600 - $180,600
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $2,131,036 (average gross receipts for FY 2024)

Griswold is a leading non-medical home care franchise dedicated to providing affordable and compassionate in-home senior care. With over 190 locations, it offers a proven business model, comprehensive franchisee support and a strong commitment to client dignity and independence. Griswold stands out for its relatively low startup costs and its focus on empowering seniors to live comfortably in their own homes.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for Griswold?

About the Brand

Griswold was founded in 1982 by Jean Griswold, a pioneering entrepreneur who launched the business from her dining room table in Pennsylvania after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Jean's empathy and concern for older adults who couldn't afford quality care became the foundation of Griswold's mission and still defines the company's approach to care today.

Mission: To provide quality home care that enables individuals to live independently and with dignity in their own homes.

Vision: A world where every aging adult receives compassionate care in the comfort of home, supported by a trusted local team and national expertise.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

  • “Live Assured” care promise for peace of mind.
  • Over 40 years of experience and proven results.
  • Award-winning care recognized by Best of Home Care.
  • Flexible, non-medical home care options for every budget.
  • Deep commitment to client dignity, independence and safety.

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With Griswold?

  • Affordable Startup Costs: One of the most affordable brands in the senior care space.
  • Proven Business Model: Over 40 years in operation.
  • Scalable Structure: Opportunity to grow territory or expand services.
  • Training and Ongoing Coaching: Comprehensive operational, marketing and technology support.
  • Award-Winning Brand: Franchise 500 ranking and multiple Best of Home Care awards.
  • Growing Industry Demand: Booming senior population ensures long-term need.

Available Territories

Griswold has available territories across many underserved U.S. markets, with featured markets in California, Utah, Wisconsin and Alabama.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment to open a Griswold franchise ranges from $99,600 to $180,600. According to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), these costs are broken down as follows:

Type of Expenditure

Min

Max

Initial Franchise Fee

$49,500

$54,500

Living Expenses While Training

$3,000

$5,000

Office Lease

$9,500

$15,000

Office Equipment

$2,500

$4,000

First Year Computer Software & Installation

$1,750

$1,750

Other Technology

$1,250

$3,500

Signage

$50

$1,000

Opening Office Supplies & Inventory

$50

$750

Insurance (6 Months)

$3,800

$4,800

Printed Materials & Shipping

$1,200

$1,800

License, Permit, Registration Costs

$0

$7,500

Additional Funds (6 Months)

$27,000

$81,000

Initial Franchise Fee: The standard franchise fee for a single territory (250,000 individuals or 25,000 senior citizens) is $49,500, which is payable upon signing the franchise agreement.

Griswold offers a 20% discount off the first franchisee fee for qualifying military veterans. 

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Griswold franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:

Type of FeeAmount
Royalty Fee4% of gross receipts/month
General Marketing Fee0.5% of gross receipts/week

ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 48 Griswold franchises operating for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following gross receipts:

Number of Franchises

Number of Territories

Average

Median

High

Low

48

92

$2,131,036

$1,672,644

$7,472,253

$661,573

3. What Franchisee Support Does Griswold Provide?

Pre-Opening Support

Before opening, Griswold Home Care franchisees go through a structured ramp-up designed to get them ready for day-to-day operations, including guidance on state and local compliance, licensing and insurance. The brand also blends self-guided learning with on-site training at its corporate headquarters through the Griswold Home Care Academy, helping owners prepare to launch with a proven playbook.

Training Programs

Griswold’s pre-opening program includes a minimum of 12 weeks of training that covers core areas such as staffing, customer outreach, marketing and goal-setting. After launch, the brand continues education through regular webinars led by subject-matter experts, an annual national conference and a franchisee forum designed for sharing ideas and best practices.

Operational Support

Operationally, Griswold positions support around the realities of running a home care business, from building and managing a caregiver team to staying aligned with industry requirements and maintaining a strong local presence. The company also supports owners with marketing resources, including localized materials and in-house creative help, while corporate marketing works on broader campaigns to keep the brand visible.

Technology and Tools

Griswold highlights a tech stack aimed at reducing admin load and improving oversight across recruiting, operations and care delivery. Tools referenced in its materials include Hireology for hiring and HR workflows, Power BI dashboards for performance and benchmarking, WellSky for scheduling, client and caregiver data, billing and collections, plus systems like Sensi.AI for in-home insights, FranConnect for owner and caregiver training resources, Zingage for caregiver engagement and Tapcheck for earned wage access.

4. What Are the Franchise Requirements for Griswold?

Eligibility Criteria

  • Liquid Capital: $75,000
  • Net Worth: $350,000

Griswold does not require medical or senior care experience, but is looking for candidates with a passion for community service and caregiving. A strong management or sales background is preferred.

Operational Commitments

This is not a semi-absentee model. Owners are expected to be active in the business — particularly in local relationship building, recruiting and day-to-day oversight.

Funding Assistance

Griswold offers third-party financing options through partnerships with franchise lenders and SBA loan experts. Veteran discounts may apply.

5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories?

“As we developed clients and I was able to get the feedback from them with our monthly case note calls, I could see how it was impacting our clients and our caregivers in a very positive way. And so that was very reinforcing to me as a business owner, and I found it more empowering and motivated me to get out there and to continue marketing and bringing in more business because the more business I had, the more people I'd be able to help.”

George and Lisa McGuire, Owners — San Antonio, Texas

“We change lives here at Griswold Home Care. I think that's what sets us apart from other franchise opportunities. Not only can we help clients remain independent in their homes and give families the opportunity to be children again and not Caregivers. We help Caregivers form a career in this industry.”

Natalie Bachich, Multi-Unit Owner — New Jersey, South Carolina and Florida

“Through home care and specifically through Griswold, we realized that we had an opportunity to provide a quality service, enable people to stay where they're comfortable, which is at home, versus the alternative. And what we found is that's a growing desire, and we wanted to provide that service to people. As we learned more about the home office and got to know some of the other owners, we had an opportunity to join a family rather than just invest in a business.”

Brandon Harrison, Co-Owner — Houston, Texas

For more franchisee success stories, check out the testimonials on Griswold’s website.  

6. What Is the Market Potential for the Home Care Industry?

The senior care industry is experiencing rapid growth, and non-medical home care is among the fastest-growing sectors in the U.S. The number of Americans 65 or older is predicted to reach 78 million by 2040 and hit 88 million by 2050.

Competitor Analysis

Griswold competes with other major senior care brands like Home Instead, Visiting Angels, Comfort Keepers and Right at Home*. Griswold stands apart by focusing on compassionate, non-medical home care delivered by experienced caregivers, all while keeping services affordable and accessible for families. 

7. What Is the Application Process for Griswold Franchisees?

  1. Let Griswold Know They’re Interested: The candidate submits a short interest form on the franchise website, and a franchise expert follows up to learn about their background, vision and fit. 
  2. Learn More About the Franchise: The candidate reviews the Griswold Home Care business model and digs into the brand’s competitive advantages, including training and support, marketing and caregiver recruiting systems. 
  3. Review the FDD: Griswold provides its FDD, which outlines the company’s history, leadership and investment details, and the candidate can review it with an attorney while Griswold answers questions. 
  4. Speak With Current Franchisees: The candidate talks with existing franchisees and Griswold Operations and Relationship Managers to better understand day-to-day ownership and the Griswold system. 
  5. Complete an Executive Call: The candidate has a conversation with Griswold’s COO to learn how the leadership team approaches care and franchisee success. 
  6. Attend Discovery Day: The candidate visits Griswold’s corporate office in the Philadelphia suburbs to meet the team, learn processes and procedures, and decide jointly whether to move forward. 
  7. Sign the Franchise Agreement and Begin Setup: If both sides agree it’s a fit, the candidate signs the agreement, pays the initial franchise fee and starts setting up the business with Griswold’s support.

Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves. 

Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.

Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction. 

All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

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Chris Irby

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Chris Irby

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