Griswold

Laura and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrin-mills-mba?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=successful-corporate-leaders-find-new-passion-after-caring-for-aging-parents-set-to-open-new-griswold-franchise-in-california-2727380" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Darrin Mills</a> both come from diverse professional backgrounds, but seeing how their own parents began to struggle with their independence&nbsp; inspired them to start a new chapter in senior in-home care. After seeing firsthand the challenges of finding reliable caregiving for their aging parents, they knew they wanted to make a difference.“For me, it hit home when my 95-year-old dad needed a caregiver,” said Laura. “My sister was trying to balance her full-time job and caring for him, and it quickly became clear that we needed experienced help. It was a scramble to find the right support, and that made me realize how important it is to provide this service to others.”Set to open their&nbsp;<a href="https://griswoldhomecarefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=successful-corporate-leaders-find-new-passion-after-caring-for-aging-parents-set-to-open-new-griswold-franchise-in-california-2727380" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Griswold franchise</a> in October 2024, the Mills are excited to bring compassionate, expert care to seniors in their community. The couple is committed to making a positive impact on seniors' lives by providing essential services that allow them to age comfortably at home.1851 Franchise spoke with the Mills to learn more about their story, their journey to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info">Griswold</a> and their plans for the future.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Darrin Mills: I’ve held corporate retail positions as a VP, but I never really felt fulfilled. In 2017, I got involved in the licensed and recreational cannabis industry, and while I saw remarkable things, I knew another chapter was waiting for me. A friend of mine owned a home care franchise in Arizona, and that sparked my interest. When we spoke to Griswold, their authenticity and focus on helping you succeed stood out. I loved the home care field because you get to impact people’s lives at their most vulnerable points.Laura Mills: For me, it hit home when my 95-year-old dad needed a caregiver. My sister was trying to balance her full-time job and caring for him, and it quickly became clear that we needed experienced help. It was a scramble to find the right support, and that made me realize how important it is to provide this service to others.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?Darrin: We’ve owned a business together that wasn’t a franchise, and we just sold a kid’s hair salon that was. Because home care is a new industry for us, we felt it was important to have as much support and information as possible. I didn’t want to start from scratch, and Griswold gave us that foundation.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Darrin: It was the people. I’ve spent my life meeting and interviewing people, and when I met the Griswold team, they seemed sincere and humble. We spoke with several franchises, but Griswold felt the most genuine. They cared about getting to know us.Laura: The team was so welcoming, and the business model just felt like a great fit. The support and training they offer really made us confident in our choice.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Darrin: We’d love to expand into another territory and possibly get some family members involved. Our long-term goal is to grow the business over the next five years and build a team that can run it successfully.1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Darrin: We’re excited about becoming experts in senior care. We’re currently getting our senior advisor certification because we want to be in a position to educate and help seniors.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Darrin: There are two ways to look at franchising: Is it personally fulfilling, and what’s the business opportunity? Griswold checked both boxes for me. It’s a growing, recession-proof industry with reasonable startup costs. On a personal level, helping support a senior’s quality of life during their most vulnerable times is incredibly rewarding. We learned that firsthand with Laura’s dad. Having a company like Griswold makes all the difference.For more information on franchising with Griswold, please visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold">https://1851franchise.com/griswold</a>.ABOUT GRISWOLDWith over 170 locations in 32 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 2023, Griswold was ranked #267 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and named a 2023 and 2024 Best of Home Care® Endorsed National Provider. For more information, visit www.griswoldcare.com or call 215.402.0200.

Senior Home Care Franchise Owners Share Journey to Griswold

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After years in corporate roles and personal caregiving experiences, Darrin and Laura Mills are excited to offer meaningful support to seniors in the Greater Mission Viejo area.

This brand page has been paid for by GRISWOLD. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Successful Corporate Leaders Find New Passion After Caring for Aging Parents; Set to Open New Griswold Franchise in California

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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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BLUE BELL, Pa. —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">Griswold</a>, the leading non-medical in-home care franchise, announced the winter 2026 recipients of its National Caregiver Scholarship Program in honor of National Caregivers Day on Feb. 20, 2026. The program, administered in partnership with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/">Jean Griswold Foundation</a>, awarded its largest scholarship class to date, with 32 scholarships awarded totaling more than $73,000.“We are really excited for the Winter Scholarships winners — this was our biggest year ever,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-latini-61835b2">Sarah Latini</a>, director of the Jean Griswold Foundation. “It really shows how far the message of the opportunity and its impacts are reaching across the country.”The scholarship recipients represent Caregivers at many stages of their education and professional journeys — from those pursuing CNA training to others advancing into nursing, gerontology, behavioral health, and graduate-level health care programs.“We have a wonderful representation of both men and women at different stages of their careers,” Latini said. “Many of them were touched by a personal experience of caring for a loved one or somebody in the community that inspired them to advance their careers.”This year’s winter scholarship recipients include Caregivers from across the country who plan to use their awards to pursue education and training in high-need care fields. Below are those associated with Griswold offices nationwide:<ul><li>Aries J. (San Antonio, Texas) — pursuing board-certified behavior analyst coursework.</li><li>Ayris W. (Gwynn Oak, Maryland) — pursuing certified nursing assistant/high school diploma pathway.</li><li>Elias A. (Washington, D.C.) — pursuing certified nursing assistant training.</li><li>Ester C. (Plano, Texas) — pursuing advanced geriatric care education.</li><li>Eturnity S. (San Antonio, Texas) — pursuing physical therapist assistant program.</li><li>Garine "Gigi" G. (Atlanta, Georgia) — pursuing registered nurse degree.</li><li>Grace M. (Greensburg, Pennsylvania) — pursuing bachelor's degree in gerontology and aging services.</li><li>Joycy B. (Baltimore, Maryland) — pursuing registered nurse degree.</li><li>Kawana S. (Camden County, New Jersey) — pursuing Master of Science in Nursing.</li><li>Nadine C. (Camden County, New Jersey) — pursuing licensed practical nurse degree.</li><li>Paulina P. (Plano, Texas) — pursuing certified nursing assistant certification.</li><li>Rachel C. (Honolulu, Hawaii) — pursuing Master of Social Work.</li><li>Shachana M. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — pursuing continuing education in nursing/care.</li><li>Symone B. (Cleveland, Ohio) — pursuing registered nurse degree.</li><li>Vilma F. (Montgomery County, Maryland) — pursuing certified medical assistant and Child Development Associate credential.</li></ul>Latini emphasized that the scholarship program is rooted in the values of Griswold’s founder — and in the belief that Caregiver education strengthens families and communities.“Dr. Jean Griswold believed in continuing one’s education throughout one’s life,” Latini said. “She herself got a PhD later in life and was always encouraging staff to advance in their careers. We feel strongly that we are continuing her legacy by providing scholarships for Caregivers. We really feel we are living out her legacy with this scholarship program.”The program also reflects the urgent workforce needs facing health care today, especially in nursing and direct care roles.“In the health care field, there is a strain and a need for people to enter the nursing field in particular,” Latini said. “We see the pipeline as a direct line to the nursing fields. There is a lot going on right now, and we know that these frontline workers are essential to our communities.”The Jean Griswold Foundation surpassed a major milestone in annual scholarship support last year, a benchmark it aims to reach again in 2026.“In 2025, we gave away over $100,000 in scholarships total,” Latini said. “It is our goal to give away the same amount in the next year. Since we started in 2022, we’ve given 135 scholarships, and that totals over $300,000 awarded overall.”Applications for the Summer 2026 scholarship cycle opened Feb. 1 and close on March 31, 2026. For more information about the National Caregiver Scholarship Program and eligibility, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/scholarship">https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/scholarship</a>.&nbsp;Your support makes our Caregiver Scholarship possible:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/donate#waystodonate">https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/donate#waystodonate</a>.ABOUT THE JEAN GRISWOLD FOUNDATIONHonoring the founder of Griswold Home Care, Dr. Jean Griswold, The Jean Griswold Foundation is a public non-profit whose primary goal is to support Caregivers. Funds raised through private donors, corporations, franchisees, and employees will focus on Caregiver education through scholarships. The Jean Griswold Foundation believes that everyone deserves to age with dignity and the availability of quality Caregivers is the key to achieving this goal. By supporting the profession of caregiving in all its forms, communities across the nation will be happier and healthier places to live. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org">www.JeanGriswoldFoundation.org</a>.ABOUT GRISWOLDWith 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<a href="http://www.griswoldcare.com">&nbsp;www.GriswoldCare.com</a> or call 215.402.0200.

Griswold National Caregivers Day Scholarship Winners

Caregivers all over the country were awarded more than $73,000 to advance education and strengthen the future of frontline care.

Griswold Celebrates National Caregivers Day, Announces Winter Scholarship Winners Through the Jean Griswold Foundation

griswold-celebrates-national-caregivers-day-by-announcing-winter-scholarship-winners-through-the-jean-griswold-foundation

<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. 

Successful Corporate Leaders Find New Passion After Caring for Aging Parents; Set to Open New Griswold Franchise in California

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