Griswold

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mernewilliam?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=merne-asplund-griswold-franchise-prior-lake-2730263" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Merne Asplund</a> built his career in web development, but over time, the screen became a barrier to what he truly craved — human connection. After the pandemic pushed much of his work remote, he found himself longing for more face-to-face interaction and a way to give back in a meaningful way. When he discovered&nbsp;<a href="https://griswoldhomecarefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=merne-asplund-griswold-franchise-prior-lake-2730263" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Griswold</a>, the non-medical home care franchise, it felt like fate. Now, with a new location opening in Prior Lake, Minnesota, and the support of his husband and young daughter, Asplund is on a mission to help people stay safe and supported in their homes — and to create sustainable jobs in the community he loves.1851 spoke with Asplund to learn more about his background, what drew him to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info">Griswold</a> and his plans for the future.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Merne Asplund: I started my career in web development and have been doing that for the past 15 years. But things have changed a lot, especially since COVID. The work became so remote, and I was really looking for more one-on-one time with people. I wanted to give back to the community and have more face time — that personal connection that was missing.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know now that you're in it?Asplund: I live in the city, and honestly, I just couldn’t support my family with what web development pays anymore. It was time to start something new. I’ve always been looking for a business, but none of the opportunities that came up really fit — I wanted something I would actually want to do and something that could be successful for me and my employees.I’d never thought about home care before, but I come from a big family, and those kinds of conversations — about nursing homes and assisted living — are a hot-button issue. Being able to help people stay at home and maintain their independence — that really struck a chord with me. It helps people stay connected with their families, even at the end of life. It was touching. It’s a growing opportunity, and it just felt like the right time to jump in.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about the company?Asplund: I had been laid off in January and was looking for another development position when Griswold reached out to me. I was immediately drawn to the Jean Griswold story. I loved the industry and could tell how much they care about their caregivers and employees.The Jean Griswold Foundation and the scholarship program really stood out to me. I loved the whole origin story of the brand — how it was founded by Jean Griswold and her mission. Griswold just really spoke to me.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Asplund: For me, this is really my retirement plan — hopefully something I can bring my whole family into. There are so many people in hospitals who can’t go home because there’s no one there to help them. I want to help people and support my family at the same time.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Asplund: This is probably going to be a business my husband and I run together. We also have a six-year-old daughter. They’re my moral support while I get this off the ground.It feels really good to have found something that can pay sustainable wages in our community — something that really helps people. We're so spread out in this country; a lot of people don’t live where they grew up anymore. This work really spoke to me. If I could go back, I would’ve told myself to do it sooner.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=merne-asplund-griswold-franchise-prior-lake-2730263" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.griswoldcare.com</a> or call 215.402.0200.

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Merne Asplund and Griswold logo

Web Developer Merne Asplund Opens Griswold Home Care Franchise in Prior Lake, Minnesota

1851 Franchise

After 15 years in tech, Merne Asplund felt a calling for deeper connection and community impact. His new Griswold franchise is a family-run mission to bring compassionate care home.

Why This Web Developer Left the Industry To Find a New Passion With Griswold Franchise in Prior Lake, Minnesota

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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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image of Jessica Burke and Jason Fahey meet the franchisee Griswold live assured

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

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image of griswold home care franchisee in south carolina, jason dubose

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

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<a href="https://griswoldhomecarefranchise.com/">Griswold</a>, the non-medical in-home care franchise, was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.abc27.com/news/top-stories/local-home-care-facility-offers-help-for-parkinsons-patients/">featured on ABC affiliate WHTM-TV</a> for the work the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/dauphin-county/">Dauphin County</a> location in Pennsylvania is doing with Parkinson’s patients. The franchise understands that symptoms and disease progression can be different for every patient, so its team individualizes care plans.For Stephanie Carl, who owns the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info">Griswold Home Care for</a> Dauphin County franchise, personalized care often starts with understanding when Clients need the most support. “We might do an overnight to keep someone safe from getting up and having a fall during the night,” she said. “Other times, we might be there in the daytime to help somebody get up, get bathed, dressed, make sure they have their meals.”With more than 40 years of experience, Griswold is one of the country’s top in-home care companies. It provides professional, compassionate help from Caregivers. Griswold’s “Live Assured” promise gives Parkinson’s Clients and their loved ones peace of mind. The franchise understands that Parkinson’s affects more than just movement, often impacting sleep, cognition, and overall daily routines.“Everyone kind of thinks of tremors when they think of Parkinson’s, but it can be stiffness, it can be sleep issues,” said Mallory Kline, a Care Coordinator with Griswold. “They have trouble sleeping [and] cognitive issues.”Watch the segment&nbsp;<a href="https://www.abc27.com/news/top-stories/local-home-care-facility-offers-help-for-parkinsons-patients/">here</a>.&nbsp;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>&nbsp;

WHTM-TV: Griswold Home Care for Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Offers Help for Parkinson’s Patients

Griswold’ Home Care for Dauphin County’s team is drawing attention for care that adapts to the day-to-day challenges Parkinson’s patients and their families face.

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SALT LAKE CITY —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">Griswold</a>, a leader in non-medical home care franchising, recently wrapped up its 2026 National Franchise Conference, “Rising Together: From Roots to Summit,” held April 28-30 at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. Franchisees, Home Office staff and strategic partners gathered from across the country for three days of education, collaboration, and celebration.“Our theme this year really reflected who we are as an organization,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-slupecki-08b2288/">Michael Slupecki</a>, CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://griswoldhomecarefranchise.com/">Griswold</a>. “We always lean on our history, our shared values, and the foundation that Jean Griswold built, while asking ourselves how we’re going to use those strengths to reach new summits as a company. It was an incredible opportunity to bring the entire network together around that vision.”The conference featured a carefully curated lineup of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and strategic discussions. “We received feedback from franchisees that the content was the best we’ve ever had,” Slupecki said. “Our goal is to provide our franchisees with the tools they need to succeed in their communities. We connect them at the conference to vendors who can have meaningful conversations with them and provide practical insights they can take back to their businesses.”The conference's sponsorship program reflected that intentional approach, bringing together industry-leading partners to connect directly with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info">Griswold</a> franchisees from across the country. With more than 100 owner groups representing over 200 territories in 30 states, the event served as the largest in-person gathering of the Griswold system in 2026 and provided valuable opportunities for education, collaboration, and relationship building.Senior Regional Director&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-gettier-3a908b51">Shannon Gettier</a>, who has spent 14 years with the Griswold system in both corporate and now franchise leadership roles, the quality of vendor participation stood out immediately.“I’ve attended a lot of Griswold conferences over the years, and this year, specifically, the vendors were great, and they were super intentional,” Gettier said. “They were there to provide opportunities and support for our businesses. A lot of work goes into making sure the event delivers value.”Beyond the educational content, attendees highlighted the opportunity to connect with fellow franchisees from across the country as one of the conference's greatest benefits. “That’s one of the best parts,” Gettier said. “Just having all of us in a room together is incredibly valuable. There’s nothing like spending three days together, sharing meals, talking through challenges and learning from one another. We’re able to share best practices and learn from other franchisees in ways that simply can’t happen virtually.”For newer franchise owners, the conference offered a chance to step back from the day-to-day responsibilities of running a business and gain perspective from experienced operators.“The conference was the first one I attended as a franchise owner,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-dubose-sphr-shrm-scp/">Jason DuBose</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold-home-care-sumter-jason-dubose-new-owner-2731819">new Griswold franchisee in South Carolina</a>. “You could tell a tremendous amount of preparation and thought went into the event. It was large enough to bring together people from all over the country, but it still had an intimate feel where you could connect directly with franchise leaders, vendors, and fellow owners.”DuBose said the educational sessions and networking opportunities helped him better envision the future of his business. “As a new owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily challenges,” he said. “The conference gave me the opportunity to connect with people who have already been where I am and see what their businesses look like one year, five years, or even 10 years down the road. You really can’t measure the value of those conversations.”One of the most anticipated moments of the conference was the annual Griswold Awards Reception. Award recipients included:<ul><li>Client and Caregiver Satisfaction Award:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshalloden/">Marshall Oden</a> — Griswold Home Care for North Dallas, Garland &amp; Rockwall, Texas</li><li>Marketing Award:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucemcreynolds/">Bruce McReynolds</a> and the Griswold Home Care for Burlington and Griswold Home Care for Greensboro, North Carolina team</li><li>New Owner Award:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-chandler-047858124/">Nolan Chandler</a> and the Griswold Home Care for Greater Temecula, California team</li><li>Griswoldness Award: recognizing the exceptional contributions of those who go above and beyond&nbsp; their everyday duties to support the company by actively serving&nbsp; fellow franchisees and improving the brand:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-assimon-a8837216/">Michael Assimon</a> — Griswold Care Pairing for Central New York</li><li>Beacon Award:&nbsp;recognizing an office that has achieved notable success, at times following its own path, while remaining engaged in and supportive of Home Office programs and platforms. In doing so, this office demonstrates a commitment to growing and learning, relying on guidance from the corporate team combined with its unique experience and knowledge base, to reach its goals:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-still-984493117/">Michelle Still</a> — Griswold Home Care for Bucks &amp; Montgomery Counties, Pennsylvania</li><li>Innovation Award:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-gross-79888aa0/">Brenda Gross</a> — Griswold Home Care for Southeast Houston, Texas</li><li>Diamond Awards:&nbsp;highlighting revenue growth:&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> — Griswold Home Care for The Greater Twin Cities, Minnesota;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinmpickrell/">Erin Pickrell</a> — Griswold Home Care for Chevy Chase, Maryland;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandakrodriguez/">Amanda Rodriguez</a> — Griswold Home Care for The Poconos, Pennsylvania</li><li>MaryAnne Murray Integrity Award:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-cook-bb07a989/">Rita Cook</a> —&nbsp;Griswold Home Care for Anne Arundel &amp; Queen Anne's Counties, Maryland</li><li>Jean Griswold Founder’s Award:&nbsp;acknowledging a franchisee excelling in all aspects of the business:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-gray-30259555/">Patrick</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriegraydba/">Carrie Gray</a> — Griswold Home Care for New Castle County, Delaware</li></ul>Another memorable moment came when the company recognized a longtime leader from Griswold’s company-owned operation in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.“One of the most touching moments of the conference was recognizing a director who has been with our organization for more than 25 years and was originally hired by Jean Griswold herself,” Slupecki said. “She has trained countless franchisees, supported owners throughout the country, and had a meaningful impact on so many people in that room. When she was recognized, everyone stood and gave her a well-deserved ovation. It was a powerful reminder of the legacy and culture that makes Griswold special.”The conference also demonstrated the strength of the Griswold community through its ongoing support of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/">Jean Griswold Foundation</a>. During the annual gala, attendees raised a record-setting $128,000 to support Caregiver scholarships and workforce development initiatives.“We set a new fundraising record this year, which speaks volumes about the generosity and passion of our franchisees and partners,” Slupecki said. “Supporting Caregivers has always been central to who we are as a brand, and the success of the Jean Griswold Foundation continues to create opportunities for Caregivers across the country.”As the conference concluded, Slupecki encouraged franchisees to carry the momentum of the event back to their local markets.“The energy throughout the week was incredible,” he said. “Our franchisees continue to raise the bar, support one another and embrace new opportunities to serve their communities. We left Salt Lake City inspired, connected and ready to continue rising together.”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>.ABOUT GRISWOLD:With more than 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’s annual conference brought franchisees, Home Office leaders and industry partners to Salt Lake City to celebrate the system’s growth under the theme “Rising Together: From Roots to Summit.”

Why This Web Developer Left the Industry To Find a New Passion With Griswold Franchise in Prior Lake, Minnesota

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