Griswold

Based in Sumter, South Carolina,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-dubose-sphr-shrm-scp/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=griswold-home-care-sumter-jason-dubose-new-owner-2731819" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jason DuBose</a> has built his career on a simple philosophy: people’s stories matter. Having navigated the complexities of caring for his own parents and now supporting his mother-in-law, DuBose is turning his dedication to service into a business with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=griswold-home-care-sumter-jason-dubose-new-owner-2731819" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Griswold</a> to provide reliable in-home care to families in South Carolina.Today, after officially opening his doors in March 2026, DuBose serves six counties, including Sumter and Kershaw. His mission is fueled by the faces he saw while responding to welfare checks as a volunteer firefighter — people who just needed a helping hand to stay safe at home. By combining his HR expertise with a genuine love for people, DuBose is proving that the best business owners aren’t just managers; they are our neighbors who care.DuBose sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss his whirlwind transition from the beauty industry to home care and why he’s ready to “pound the pavement” for the people of South Carolina. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Jason DuBose: I’m a proud Texan by birth, but South Carolina has been home since my youth. My father was in the Air Force, which is how we came to Sumter. This is where I met my wife, Tracy. I was actually her first kiss in middle school! We’ve been together for nearly 30 years and married for over 20, and our 18-year-old son, Mason, graduates from high school this year.Family is the center of my universe. Between Tracy and me, we have one surviving parent, her mother, Pailyn. She goes by Lyn and is just about the sweetest, toughest little old lady I’ve ever met. She’s survived multiple bouts of cancer and still manages a koi pond and four big rescue dogs. Being her support team is an example of exactly what Griswold is about.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?DuBose:&nbsp;I spent almost 30 years in human resources across a wild range of industries, everything from timber processing and meatpacking to my last role in the "clean and conscious" beauty space.I'd always thought about maybe starting a business of my own, but the moment actually kind of came through volunteering. I went through rookie school to become a volunteer firefighter at age 50. While out on calls, I kept seeing seniors struggling with falls, welfare checks and other situations where they simply needed help. I looked at various service brands, but home care was the only thing that touched me personally.1851: What was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?DuBose:&nbsp;I don’t think a lot of people realize that two out of three businesses they pass on the road are actually franchises. I knew I wanted to build something, but I didn’t necessarily have a unique idea in mind. Franchising offered a proven system I could get behind.Now that I’m in it, I realize how much the new owner perspective matters. During my research, I specifically asked to talk to people who had been in business for less than six months. Hearing about their current pain points, the startup challenges, was much more relevant to me than talking to someone ten years in. It prepared me for the reality of the daily grind.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?DuBose:&nbsp; It started with a social media outreach from Griswold. The team was infectious. They didn't just talk about numbers. They related everything back to me as a person and my family.What excites me is my cohort of fellow new owners. We have an open chat running constantly, where we celebrate a win or share advice on everything from hiring to growing the business. Having this tether to a group of people going through the exact same whirlwind is a godsend.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;DuBose:&nbsp;I hope that we can do a lot of good first and foremost. If we're doing it right, and this is one of the big takeaways I took from the training with Griswold, we're not recreating the wheel. People have been providing care to their loved ones and others for thousands of years. I just want to do the small things incrementally better than everyone else.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?DuBose:&nbsp;Starting this business has been a whirlwind. I’m a high-energy person, and I’ve realized that while I’m blessed to be on this journey, I have to stay grateful and grounded. I want people to know that I’m not just running a business, I’m one of their neighbors.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?DuBose:&nbsp;You have to believe in something to be able to promote it, otherwise it shows all over your face. Also, do your research on the logistics. I wish I’d had a deeper understanding of the ROBS funding process before I started. Most importantly, find a brand that fits you. When things get tough, that personal connection to the work is what keeps you moving forward.ABOUT GRISWOLD:With over 200 locations across 30 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing and referring professional, compassionate Caregivers around the clock. Griswold’s “Live Assured” promise gives both clients and their loved ones peace of mind, so they can live without the weight of worry. Griswold helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age, onset of illness, or post-surgery recovery through services including companion care, home services, personal care and respite care. Founded by the late Jean Griswold in 1982, the company has maintained its founder’s profound sense of empathy for older and disabled adults and those living with chronic conditions. Griswold has been recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500® and named a 2023, 2024 and 2025 Best of Home Care® Endorsed National Provider. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.griswoldcare.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=griswold-home-care-sumter-jason-dubose-new-owner-2731819" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.GriswoldCare.com</a> or call 215.402.0200.

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From Firefighting to Caregiving: Meet Jason DuBose of Griswold Home Care

1851 Franchise

After responding to welfare checks as a volunteer firefighter and navigating care for his own family, Jason DuBose opened Griswold to help seniors remain safe at home in Sumter and beyond.

Driven by a Heart for Service, One South Carolina Entrepreneur Turns to Griswold After 30 Years in HR

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How These Griswold Franchisees Scaled to Six Territories in Six Years

Griswold Celebrates Record-Breaking Best of Home Care Recognition, Including No. 1 Ranked Provider Nationwide

Home for the Holidays: How Griswold Helps Families Stay Connected and Cared For During the Most Important Time of Year

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During&nbsp;<a href="https://www.parkinson.org/parkinsons-awareness-month">National Parkinson’s Awareness Month</a>, representatives from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/fargo/">Griswold Home Care for Fargo</a>, North Dakota, appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inforum.com/health/april-marks-parkinsons-awareness-month">ABC affiliate WDAY-TV</a> to discuss the importance of recognizing the early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease and starting conversations with loved ones sooner rather than later.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">Griswold</a> Home Care for Fargo’s Care Coordinator, Merilyn Wilson, explained that symptoms can include small tremors, slower movement, changes in handwriting, depression, and isolation. She noted that the disease can begin affecting people in their 40s and 50s, long before a formal diagnosis is made later in life.Wilson encouraged families to focus on the practical pieces of care, from keeping routines consistent to making sure loved ones with Parkinson’s do not feel isolated. She also said families with a history of the disease should stay alert to early warning signs.Founded in 1982,&nbsp;<a href="https://griswoldhomecarefranchise.com/">Griswold</a> has grown into one of the nation’s leading senior in-home care companies, with more than 200 locations across 31 states. The company provides compassionate, non-medical care services designed to help older adults and individuals living with chronic conditions maintain independence and quality of life at home.Watch the segment&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inforum.com/health/april-marks-parkinsons-awareness-month">here</a>.&nbsp;For more information on franchising with Griswold, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold">https://1851franchise.com/griswold</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WDAY-TV: Griswold in Fargo, North Dakota, Shares the Importance of Early Parkinson’s Warning Signs

During National Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Griswold Home Care for Fargo’s Merilyn Wilson appeared on WDAY-TV to discuss common early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and how families can help.

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When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-myhre-certified-senior-advisor-csa-%C2%AE-cdp-9a25889/">Brett</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-myhre-50a926a0/">Nicole Myhre</a> first launched their&nbsp;<a href="https://griswoldcare.com/">Griswold</a> business in the Greater Twin Cities, they weren’t thinking about six territories. They were focused on doing everything themselves and doing it well.“We were doing everything and wearing multiple hats,” Brett said. “As we continued to steadily grow, we started to add more people to the team to be able to keep up with the demand.”That demand came quickly. Within just two years,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/how-this-graphic-designer-and-hairstylist-found-a-new-passion-with-griswold-franchise-in-minnesota-2725561">the couple had already outgrown their initial setup</a>, moving into a larger office and expanding their team with key roles like case managers and recruitment coordinators.&nbsp;<h2>Scaling With Purpose, Not Just Speed</h2>Today, the Myhres own six territories across the Twin Cities, which is a milestone that didn’t happen by accident. “Part of that is the fact that there weren’t really any Griswold locations in the Twin Cities area, so when we brought it here, it was kind of a double-edged sword because no one had ever heard of the brand, but we also had room to grow,” Brett said.That lack of brand recognition meant the Myhres had to build trust from the ground up by educating families, establishing credibility, and proving their commitment to high-quality care.As their reputation grew, so did demand, often beyond the boundaries of their initial territories. Expanding into adjacent areas became both a natural next step and a way to better serve Clients already seeking their care.“We were getting Clients in different areas, and now that we have purchased those, we are locked in,” Brett said. “We had to work really hard to build that brand recognition in the area. That has really paid off.”<h2>Leveraging the Griswold System to Grow</h2>While much of their growth has been driven by local execution, Brett credits&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info">the Griswold system</a> with helping them scale effectively.&nbsp;“When we first bought our first territory, their branding was already great,” he said. “We had only been in business for maybe a year, and they decided to do&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/griswold-embraces-innovation-with-new-brand-evolution-2722028">a big rebrand update</a>. We were really on board for it. When they did the rebrand, it really helped support our growth by making it more recognizable. The timing really worked out well for us because it set us up on a new path with all new branding and recognition.”Combined with Griswold’s established systems and tools, the refreshed brand gave the Myhres a stronger platform to expand into new territories with consistency.“We are at well over 100 Caregivers at this point,” Brett said. “And that is a big responsibility — that is a lot of people relying on us to provide opportunities for them.”That responsibility shapes how they lead. “I think it’s very important that you treat everybody fairly,” he said. “Our whole branding is about Living Assured. For Clients, we are going to show up and do a good job. For Caregivers, we can give you the consistent hours you need to take care of your families. We want to ensure they know that we can’t do this without them.”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/griswold-celebrates-national-caregivers-day-by-announcing-winter-scholarship-winners-through-the-jean-griswold-foundation-2731484">By prioritizing Caregiver support and stability</a>, the Myhres have built a culture that supports both employee retention and consistent Client care.“It’s been so rewarding — this career and this business is not easy by any means,” Brett said. “You are dealing with people. Sometimes it can be tough because there is a lot of unknown.”Providing reassurance during those moments is what makes the work meaningful. “For us, being part of people’s care plan and giving that reassurance is great,” he said. “When you have those days when the family reaches back out to you, it really feels great. That’s the reason we do it.”<h2>Growing Without Losing What Matters</h2>Even with six territories and two office locations now in operation, the Myhres are intentional about how they approach the future.“About a year ago, we opened another office location,” Brett said. “We now have two offices open that manage the six territories. Our focus right now, for this year especially, is to focus on providing high-quality care.”As they look ahead, the Myhres are spending as much time improving the business they already have as they are thinking about the next territory. Growth is still on the table, but only if they can&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/griswold-celebrates-record-breaking-best-of-home-care-recognition-including-no-1-ranked-provider-nationwide-2731912">maintain the standard of care that got them this far</a>.“As far as long-term growth, we plan to continue expanding, but at a pace that aligns with the quality too,” Brett said. “We aren’t going to keep growing just to grow. We are going to do it the right way.”From a single territory to six in just six years, the Myhres have built a scalable business by combining operational discipline, community trust, and a clear sense of purpose.To find out more information steps to owning a Griswold franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info">https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info</a>.

Nicole and Brett Myhre are building one of the largest Griswold footprints in the Twin Cities without sacrificing the quality that fueled their growth.

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How This Power Couple Is Redefining Home Care With Kentucky’s First Griswold Franchise

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<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">Griswold</a>, the non-medical in-home care franchise, is celebrating a milestone year in the&nbsp;<a href="https://activatedinsights.com/articles/activated-insights-announces-2026-best-of-home-care-award-winners/">2026 Best of Home Care Awards</a>, earning top national recognition across both franchisee-specific and industry-wide categories. Most notably,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyrhawkins">Gary Hawkins</a>, owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/berks-county/">Griswold Home Care for Berks County, Pennsylvania</a>, has been named the No. 1 home care provider in the country out of more than 4,300 participating locations.The honors, presented annually by Activated Insights, are based entirely on third-party Caregiver and Client satisfaction surveys. This year, Griswold achieved:<ul><li>No. 1 Client Net Promoter Score (Franchise Category)</li><li>No. 1 Client Satisfaction (Franchise Category)</li><li>No. 1 Caregiver Employee Net Promoter Score (Industry-Wide)</li><li>No. 1 Caregiver Satisfaction (Industry-Wide)</li></ul>“It’s a big deal, especially this year,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ericksen-32b75a77">Matt Ericksen</a>, vice president of sales and operations at&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info">Griswold</a>. “Gary has been operating for 37 years, and he is a great example of why Griswold has embraced these awards and how franchisees see them drive their business success, both from a growth standpoint and a recognition of what they’ve always done right. It’s been a record year for us — just for the number of awards given overall for the brand, and the top spot being won by Griswold.”<h2>A 37-Year Legacy Comes Full Circle</h2>For Hawkins, the recognition is deeply personal. “We really just wanted feedback from the Clients and Caregivers,” Hawkins said. “So getting this award after 37 years for doing something we’ve always done is very nice.”Hawkins’ journey with Griswold began in 1989, when he served as director of residential services for a company that supported individuals with developmental disabilities. At the time, he was overseeing more than 50 group homes when he learned of an opportunity to open a Griswold office in Berks County.“I went down and got interviewed, and I liked what I heard, but I was still unsure if I wanted to leave my comfortable job,” he said. “After I met founder Jean Griswold, I knew I wanted to do this. There was something about her that was overwhelming. She was talking to me about her vision, her dreams, and her hopes. I really fell in love. Thirty-seven years later, I am still carrying her dream.”Leaving the security of corporate leadership was daunting. “The idea of having to start a business from the ground up, with no Caregivers or Clients, was scary,” Hawkins said. “I remember that first morning, looking at the office and thinking, ‘Oh my God, what do I do now?’”He printed flyers. He educated his community about non-medical home care. He hired his first Caregiver, who stayed with him for 26 years. “We treat our people so well that the average time a Caregiver stays with us is 15 years,” Hawkins said. “I have three people who have been with me since the beginning.”<h2>Built on Love, Compassion, and Community</h2>Today, Griswold's growth in Berks County is largely driven by word-of-mouth referrals. At the heart of his office’s success is a philosophy rooted in&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/how-griswold-has-grown-and-evolved-over-40-years-2723561">Jean Griswold’s original mission</a>.“We treat our Caregivers and our Clients like family,” Hawkins said. “When Caregivers thank me for giving them a job, I’ll stop them halfway through and tell them, ‘No, thank you for helping us carry on Jean’s philosophy.’ We aren’t any of the other companies — we are based on love, compassion, and caring. That comes down to how we treat people and each other. I’ve been in this for over five decades. It’s all about helping others.”When he learned he had been named the No. 1 provider in the country, Hawkins was overwhelmed.“Last year I was number 11, and I was really thinking about where I would be this year,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it — I cried. I recorded the announcement on my phone. I was totally blown away. We had finally been recognized for something that we’ve done for over 30 years. I attribute that award to our staff, our Caregivers, and Jean Griswold. Jean would be thrilled. If she were alive, she would be so proud.”<h2>Third-Party Validation of a 40-Year Vision</h2>The Best of Home Care Awards, presented annually by&nbsp;<a href="https://activatedinsights.com/">Activated Insights</a>, are determined exclusively through third-party satisfaction surveys completed by both Clients and Caregivers. Participating agencies must meet strict eligibility requirements, including achieving a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 8.75 out of 10. Results are benchmarked against other providers at the regional and national levels using a formula-based scoring methodology, ensuring agencies are measured objectively against their peers. Because the awards are based entirely on direct feedback — not nominations or internal reporting — they are widely regarded as one of the most credible and respected recognitions in the home care industry.“It’s all based on Caregiver and Client surveys,” Ericksen said. “The Best of Home Care Awards are third-party validation of Jean’s original vision for the brand, and our owners continue to pick up that torch and carry it and validate our brand.”Beyond Hawkins’ individual achievement, the brand itself received confirmation that it holds the highest Caregiver and Client satisfaction scores among franchise competitors. “We’ve always coached to outcomes — are your Caregivers and Clients happy? If you follow that, the results speak for themselves,” Ericksen said. “That’s why we set a new record every year for awards and recognition.”<h2>Raising the Standard in Home Care</h2>With record-breaking participation, top national rankings, and industry-leading satisfaction scores, Griswold’s 2026 Best of Home Care recognition underscores what the brand has prioritized for more than four decades:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/griswold-celebrates-national-caregivers-day-by-announcing-winter-scholarship-winners-through-the-jean-griswold-foundation-2731484#featured">people first</a>.“It was all based on that concept that was created by Jean,” Ericksen said. “We are here to help each other. That is the philosophy that I go by and live by.”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/griswold-closes-out-2025-with-record-franchise-growth-and-positions-brand-for-continued-momentum-in-2026-2731320#featured">As Griswold continues to grow nationwide</a>, the message remains clear: when Caregivers and Clients are treated like family, excellence follows.To find out more information on costs to buy a Griswold franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info">https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info</a>.

The leading in-home care franchise has earned top national honors for Client and Caregiver satisfaction, with Berks County franchisee Gary Hawkins named the highest-rated provider in the country.

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<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">Griswold</a>, the non-medical in-home care franchise with more than four decades of experience serving families nationwide, has been named a&nbsp;<a href="https://activatedinsights.com/articles/activated-insights-announces-2026-best-of-home-care-award-winners/">2026 Best of Home Care Endorsed National Provider</a>, a prestigious recognition awarded by&nbsp;<a href="https://activatedinsights.com/">Activated Insights</a>.The Endorsed National Provider title is one of the biggest achievements in the Best of Home Care program. It means a national home care company has earned high satisfaction scores and hit high service quality goals across many of its locations. It shows the company delivers a consistently high standard of care throughout its network. The recognition is based entirely on independent third-party satisfaction surveys completed by Clients and Caregivers.For&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info">Griswold</a>, the endorsement reinforces a legacy dating back to founder&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/how-griswold-has-grown-and-evolved-over-40-years-2723561">Jean Griswold’s original mission</a>: providing compassionate, relationship-driven care that allows seniors to live independently at home.“It’s all based on Caregiver and Client surveys,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ericksen-32b75a77">Matt Ericksen</a>, vice president of sales and operations. “The Best of Home Care Awards are third-party validation of Jean’s original vision for the brand, and our owners continue to pick up that torch and carry it and validate our brand.”<h2>A National Standard for Care</h2>The Best of Home Care Endorsed National Provider award is granted to organizations that demonstrate exceptional performance across the key satisfaction metrics measured by Activated Insights, including Caregiver engagement, Client satisfaction and overall service quality.Unlike recognition programs based on nominations or internal reporting, the Best of Home Care Awards rely entirely on feedback from those closest to the care experience — the Clients receiving services and the Caregivers delivering them. Agencies must meet strict scoring thresholds and consistently outperform industry benchmarks to qualify.Because of this rigorous methodology, the endorsement signals that Griswold’s standards of care are not limited to individual offices but are reflected across the brand’s nationwide network.“We’ve always coached to outcomes — are your Caregivers and Clients happy?” Ericksen said. “If you follow that, the results speak for themselves.”<h2>Carrying Forward Jean Griswold’s Vision</h2>Founded in 1982 by Jean Griswold, the company pioneered the concept of non-medical in-home care built on compassion, dignity and personal connection. That philosophy continues to shape how the organization operates today.Across its franchise system,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/why-these-care-professionals-continue-to-grow-with-griswold-22-years-later-2723735">Griswold offices prioritize building long-term relationships with Caregivers and Clients</a>, emphasizing respect, consistency and support. For many franchise owners, the brand’s culture of care translates directly into the satisfaction scores that drive recognitions like the Best of Home Care awards.“It was all based on that concept that was created by Jean,” Ericksen said. “We are here to help each other. That is the philosophy that we go by and live by.”<h2>Recognition That Reflects Real Experiences</h2>Because the Best of Home Care program is built on verified feedback from Clients and Caregivers, the Endorsed National Provider designation carries significant credibility within the home care industry.The surveys measure satisfaction across several performance categories, including communication, reliability, Caregiver professionalism and overall Client experience. Providers that achieve top-tier scores across these metrics are recognized as leaders in delivering quality home care.For Griswold, the endorsement highlights the strength of a franchise network built around a shared mission of helping families navigate aging with dignity and support.<h2>A People-First Approach to Growth</h2>With the need for senior care constantly rising across the country, Griswold’s earning the Best of Home Care Endorsed National Provider title shows the brand’s dedication to keeping quality high, even as it grows.For more than 40 years, the company has focused on creating meaningful relationships between Caregivers and Clients — an approach that continues to set the brand apart in an increasingly competitive home care landscape.“When Caregivers and Clients are treated like family, excellence follows,” Ericksen said.With national recognition and a mission rooted in compassion, Griswold continues to demonstrate that high-quality care begins with putting people first.To find out more information on costs to buy a Griswold franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info">https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info</a>.

The Best of Home Care Endorsed National Provider award confirms what Griswold has been doing for four decades: providing compassionate, Client-focused non-medical in-home care. 

Driven by a Heart for Service, One South Carolina Entrepreneur Turns to Griswold After 30 Years in HR

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