Griswold

After decades spent serving others,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-hess-abb47726/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=ken-linda-hess-griswold-franchise-vancouver-2729283" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ken</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-hess-810b0478/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=ken-linda-hess-griswold-franchise-vancouver-2729283" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Linda Hess</a> — a retired financial advisor and a middle school teacher, respectively — are stepping into their new roles as business owners with&nbsp;<a href="https://griswoldhomecarefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=ken-linda-hess-griswold-franchise-vancouver-2729283" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Griswold</a>, the non-medical home care franchise. “After retiring, I found I had too much time on my hands,” said Ken. “Around the same time, several of our family members needed caregivers. That experience got me thinking about home care as a meaningful way to spend this next phase of our life.” Drawing from personal experience caring for loved ones and a shared passion for giving back, they’re just weeks away from opening their first location in Vancouver, Washington. Their mission? To offer quality, compassionate care and build a legacy business their children and grandchildren can one day carry forward. 1851 spoke with the duo to learn more about their backgrounds, their journey to the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold">Griswold</a> brand and their plans for the future.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Ken Hess: I spent about 30 years as a financial advisor, reaching the level of VP of Investments at Morgan Stanley and AG Edwards. After retiring, I found I had too much time on my hands. Around the same time, several of our family members needed caregivers. That experience got me thinking about home care as a meaningful way to spend this next phase of our life. I’ve also been very involved in volunteer work, including over 20 years with Scouting America — my youngest son is an Eagle Scout.Linda Hess: I retired three years ago after more than 30 years as a middle school teacher, teaching fifth and seventh grade. Teaching is about making a difference in people’s lives, and I saw home care as a way to continue doing that. When some of our family members needed support, we realized just how important quality home care really is.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?Ken: I’ve owned several businesses before, all started from scratch. That meant a lot of trial and error. With home care, I wanted a road map. I didn’t want to make the same mistakes again, and franchising offered that proven system. It also helps that home care is such a strong, recession-resistant industry with a growing need every year.Linda: Ken led most of the research, but when we visited Griswold, I immediately felt that sense of belonging I had missed since retiring from teaching. Their focus on taking care of both clients and caregivers was really meaningful to me. That vision and mission truly stood out.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Ken: When we attended Discovery Day, it felt like a family. Everyone had the same mindset we did — compassion, integrity and a true desire to help others. Funny enough, Linda is a distant cousin of the Griswold family, so the connection was there from the beginning!1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Ken: Our goal is to build a legacy business. We want to pass it on to our children and grandchildren when the time comes. We have four children and three grandkids — we’d love for this to be something they grow into and expand in the years to come.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Linda: We’re celebrating our 50th anniversary as a couple this year, and we’ve always been a strong team. We’ve watched family members struggle without knowing home care was even an option. Whether it was recovery after surgery or ongoing support for a disability, we now realize there were better ways to help. We want to be part of that solution and make sure other families don’t have to go through the same thing.Ken: I’ve actually been licensed as a part-time caregiver for a family member for the past three years, so I’ve already gotten a firsthand look at the need. Now, we’re ready to take what we’ve learned and serve the greater community.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Ken: Take your time and look at multiple options. I researched eight companies and spoke with over 15 franchisees. Every conversation taught me something valuable. Griswold had the right recipe for us.Linda: Don’t be afraid to call other franchisees — they are a wealth of knowledge. And look for a brand that shares your values. It makes all the difference. ABOUT GRISWOLDWith 196 locations across 31 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing professional, compassionate Caregivers 24/7. 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. In 2024, Griswold was ranked #206 on Entrepreneur's 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=ken-linda-hess-griswold-franchise-vancouver-2729283" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.griswoldcare.com</a> or call 215.402.0200.

Franchisee Spotlight with Ken & Linda Hess and Griswold

Ken & Linda Hess: Transition to Compassionate Home Care Franchise Owners | Griswold

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After long and impactful careers, Ken and Linda Hess are launching their next chapter together — this time, focused on helping others age in place with dignity and comfort.

Retirees Set to Bring Compassionate Home Care to Vancouver, Washington, with New 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.

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

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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. 

Griswold Named 2026 Best of Home Care Endorsed National Provider

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BLUE BELL, Pa.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">Griswold</a> is kicking off 2026 with recognition from two well-known names in franchising: Entrepreneur and Franchise Business Review. The non-medical in-home care brand with more than 40 years of experience supporting families across the United States was named to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500">Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500</a> and also earned several honors from&nbsp;<a href="https://franchisebusinessreview.com/">Franchise Business Review</a>.<a href="https://griswoldhomecarefranchise.com/">Griswold’s</a> placement on the 2026 Franchise 500 reflects the brand’s continued momentum over the past several years. Published annually by Entrepreneur, the ranking evaluates franchise systems across areas such as growth, financial strength, and overall performance.“We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed, from the Home Office team to our entire nationwide franchise network and everyone in between,” the company said in a statement announcing the recognition.In addition to the Entrepreneur ranking,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info">Griswold</a> has also been named a 2026 Top Franchise by Franchise Business Review, an honor based entirely on feedback from franchise owners. The award recognizes franchisors that deliver strong support, effective leadership, and meaningful financial opportunities for their franchisees.Franchise Business Review also recognized Griswold with five additional awards based on feedback from more than 30,000 franchise owners nationwide, further reinforcing the strength of its system and franchisee experience. These honors include:<ul><li>Most Profitable Franchise</li><li>Top Recession-Resistant Franchise</li><li>Top Franchise</li><li>Top Franchise for Veterans</li><li>Top Franchise Culture</li></ul>“As we reflect on our growth, we are proud to celebrate Griswold being recognized with five awards from Franchise Business Review,” COO Steven Turner said. “Each award reflects the hard work, passion and commitment of our owners and staff that make Griswold stand out. We are grateful for our network and excited for what’s ahead in 2026.”The awards underscore what has helped Griswold keep growing: a support structure for franchisees, a culture rooted in care, and owners who are deeply connected to the communities they serve.ABOUT GRISWOLD:With over 200 locations across 31 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">www.GriswoldCare.com</a> or call 215.402.0200.

Griswold Franchise - Entrepreneur 500 - FBR Award - 1851 Franchise

With more than four decades in home care, the brand continues to strengthen its network through consistent support, steady growth, and a focus on owner success.

Griswold Wraps up Q1 with National Recognition from Entrepreneur and Franchise Business Review

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Caregiver Rachel Chai, a lifelong Hawaii resident and mother of two, is pursuing a master’s degree in social work while continuing to serve clients through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">Griswold</a>, the leading non-medical in-home care franchise. After nearly a decade working as a Caregiver, Chai was recently named a recipient of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/">Jean Griswold Foundation</a> Scholarship Program, becoming the only awardee from Hawaii during the most recent cycle.Chai began caregiving in 2014 and developed an early passion for geriatrics while working in a nursing home. “I loved building relationships with our patients and we became really close,” she told&nbsp;<a href="https://alohastatedaily.com/2026/02/19/honolulus-rachel-chai-talks-caregiving/">Aloha State Daily</a>.She credits Griswold’s scholarship support with helping ease the financial burden of continuing her education and allowing her to focus more fully on her long-term goal of serving families through social work.“Being a divorced mom of two young children, I didn’t know how I was going to pay for school and living expenses, so finding out I got the scholarship really took a weight off my shoulders,” Chai said.Her dedication shows up in everyday moments, from staying with a client during a tsunami warning to creating meaningful experiences like a “girls’ night in” for those in her care.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/">Jean Griswold Foundation</a> Scholarship Program awarded 32 scholarships totaling more than $73,000 to Caregivers nationwide this year.Read the full article&nbsp;<a href="https://alohastatedaily.com/2026/02/19/honolulus-rachel-chai-talks-caregiving/">here</a>.&nbsp;To find out more information on Griswold or The Jean Griswold Foundation, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">https://www.GriswoldCare.com/</a> or <a href="https://www.JeanGriswoldFoundation.org/.">https://www.JeanGriswoldFoundation.org/.</a>&nbsp;

Griswold Caregiver in Hawaii Awarded National Scholarship While Pursuing Social Work Degree

Local Caregiver Rachel Chai is balancing motherhood, school and work with support from Griswold’s National Caregiver Scholarship Program.

Retirees Set to Bring Compassionate Home Care to Vancouver, Washington, with New Griswold Franchise

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