From Health Care Leadership to Franchise Ownership: Brian Cook’s Mission To Serve With Right at Home

Brian Cook’s path to franchising with Right at Home* was driven by his lifelong dedication to health care and serving the senior population. His career began in wound care and hyperbaric medicine, where he managed a center in Fredericksburg, Virginia. After relocating multiple times for work and family, Cook’s growing interest in post-acute health care led him to research home care businesses. Right at Home stood out as the right fit, both professionally and personally.

"The responsiveness of Right at Home impressed me the most. I reached out to multiple organizations, and Right at Home responded within hours,” Cook said. “That initial engagement stood out. As I progressed through the discovery process, I saw that they were not just responsive but also purpose-driven and knowledgeable about running the business. That gave me the confidence to move forward. I didn’t think I would become a franchisee, but this experience changed my perspective.”

Now, with his location in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Cook is focused on building credibility in the community and growing his team. His goal is to scale quickly while creating opportunities for his employees. Within the first six months, he plans to promote caregivers into leadership roles, ensuring a strong foundation for long-term success. 

Cook believes that success in franchising comes from trusting the system and following the franchisor’s guidance. "The amount of information can feel overwhelming, but it’s structured for a reason,” he said. “At times, when you’re spending your own money and building from scratch, it’s easy to feel anxious and uncertain. But if you follow the process and trust the franchisor, you’ll reach your milestones." 

With his deep roots in the community and a strong commitment to providing quality care, Cook is determined to make a lasting impact. 

1851 Franchise recently sat down with Cook to talk about his journey with Right at Home and his advice for those considering franchise ownership. Here’s what he had to say.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Brian Cook: I've always worked in health care and served the senior population. My career started in wound care and hyperbaric medicine, where I managed a wound care center in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I'm originally from Blue Springs, Missouri, a neighboring community to Lee’s Summit, but I followed my wife to the East Coast and opened a wound care program in Virginia. I did that for about eight years.

When we had our first child, we realized our work-life balance wasn't sustainable. My wife and I both had long commutes — mine was 45-55 miles south on I-95, and hers was just five miles across D.C. to Bethesda, but both took an hour. Having a four-month-old in day care for 11-12 hours a day wasn’t working, so we decided to move. I took a promotion that relocated us to Cleveland, where I spent another seven to eight years in the same field but at a regional level, developing executive leadership skills.

When we decided to have a third child, we moved back to Kansas City to be near family. I stayed in wound care until just before COVID, when I took a job at WellSky, whose headquarters was five miles from my home. That introduced me to post-acute health care, including home health, hospice and home care. I worked with home health agencies, helping them navigate the challenges of COVID and the post-pandemic world.

As my youngest prepared for kindergarten, I wanted to engage more directly with the communities I serve. My expertise in health care administration, combined with my understanding of post-acute care, led me to research home care businesses. Right at Home stood out, and through my research, I realized how personal this mission was to me. I had multiple family members who wanted to age at home but couldn't due to a lack of support. The combination of my personal experiences, professional skills, and timing made this the right move.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Cook: I understood franchising from a business structure perspective, but my perception was shaped by fast food brands like McDonald's or service brands like Merry Maids. Initially, I thought franchising was a turnkey way to make money. What surprised me was that some franchisors are purpose-driven organizations with real screening processes to ensure they bring in the right franchisees. That was refreshing to learn.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Cook: The responsiveness of Right at Home impressed me the most. I reached out to multiple organizations, and Right at Home responded within hours. That initial engagement stood out. As I progressed through the discovery process, I saw that they were not just responsive but also purpose-driven and knowledgeable about running the business. That gave me the confidence to move forward. I didn’t think I would become a franchisee, but this experience changed my perspective.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Cook: I want to grow quickly. My immediate focus is building credibility in the community and filling out my office staff. Within the first six months, I’d like to promote a couple of caregivers into leadership roles. One of my main goals is to elevate the employment status of our team members while doing good in the community. Scaling fast enough to create internal career growth is a priority.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Cook: I’m opening a business just a few miles from where I grew up, and my credibility is on the line with my community. I take that seriously, and I am committed to doing right by the people who live here.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Cook: Follow the template and trust the process. The amount of information can feel overwhelming, but it’s structured for a reason. At times, when you’re spending your own money and building from scratch, it’s easy to feel anxious and uncertain. But if you follow the process and trust the franchisor, you’ll reach your milestones. My confidence grows with each step, and I believe that if I continue following the plan, I’ll be able to expand and fulfill my commitment to being a great employer.

ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME:

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities who want to live independently. Most Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured before entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 700 franchise locations in the U.S. and four other countries. For more information about Right at Home, visit https://www.rightathome.net/ or read the Right at Home blog at https://www.rightathome.net/blog/.