As the growing senior population and the COVID-19 pandemic create a steadily increasing need for quality home care, Griswold Home Care, the non-medical home care franchise with 168 locations, gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to enter a resilient industry and provide an essential service. Founded in 1982 as the first non-medical home care franchise in the United States, Griswold Home Care is backed by nearly 40 years of experience providing quality home care to the elderly, disabled adults and others recovering from illnesses.
Today, the brand has expanded into 29 states across the country, thanks to the dedication and hard work of its franchisees. In addition to giving its owners the opportunity to run a proven business, Griswold Home Care makes it easy for those passionate franchisees to exit the system when they have realized their investment and are ready to retire and hand over the reins to new and excited candidates.
Jim Vonderhaar, for example, is a recently retired franchisee who was once a successful Griswold owner in Houston. Vonderhaar first invested in the brand in 2014 after spending 32 years in the corporate energy industry.
“I had always wanted to own my own business and give back to the community,” said Vonderhaar. “When I discovered Griswold Home Care, it really hit home. Around that time, both my parents got sick, so I saw first-hand what it takes to care for a parent with health issues. I bought an existing franchise location in 2014 from one of the brand’s largest franchisees in Houston. I knew it would be a temporary investment for me — my goal was to keep it for around 10 years and, if my son didn’t want to take it over, I would sell it. Seven years in, I decided it was time.”
That is when husband-and-wife team Calla and Layne Shuman came into the picture. Calla came from a background of helping small businesses grow in size as a business development manager in Houston, while Layne came from a career in the energy industry as well. The two got married in November 2020 and decided it was time to take their destiny in their own hands.
“As our family continued to grow, I wanted a business that would allow me the flexibility to spend more time at home while also having consistent income coming in,” Calla said. “Layne and I actually met with Jim and our broker for the first time on our wedding day! During the first meeting, we discussed taking over his Griswold location. I was hesitant for a long time because I had never started a business all on my own before, but my husband really pushed me and believed in me. In April 2021, we closed on the business, and it has been an incredible experience so far.”
The Shumans point to a few reasons why they were drawn to the Griswold business model, but one of the main reasons was the pandemic-resistant nature of the senior home care industry and the need for quality senior care in their community. With Griswold Home Care, franchise owners have the opportunity to join a $97 billion industry. The senior population is increasing rapidly in the United States — by the year 2040, AARP reports that about 20% of the population will be 65 years old or older.
Now, with the COVID-19 pandemic creating an even greater demand for safe, comfortable and quality home care, Griswold Home Care is uniquely positioned to thrive thanks to its differentiated and empathetic approach to home care. The brand uses a unique science-based assessment tool to measure and evaluate the client’s cognitive function to determine engagement steps and match caregivers accordingly. The home care services include homemaking, personal care, companion care, hospice care, respite care, live-in overnight care and more.
“The sale took place much quicker than I thought, and the increased demand for our services due to the COVID-19 pandemic had a lot to do with that,” said Vonderhaar.
Additionally, the Shumans say the brand’s robust corporate support and training infrastructure was another important factor in their decision. “Griswold has a lot to offer — an amazing team, staff and support,” said Calla. “Having a team who fully understands what I’m going through is great. I was entering a whole new industry that I had never been in. The team guided me through everything, whether it be compliance, recruiting, selling or phone screening. I couldn’t imagine starting a business by myself, and I’m really thankful that I have the support of the Griswold team.”
Vonderhaar agrees that the support infrastructure is a major differentiator for the Griswold Home Care brand. Not only was it one of the main reasons he originally joined the brand, but he says it is also why he found the transition process to be so streamlined.
“Franchising is so much simpler than starting a business from the ground up,” said Vonderhaar. “I couldn’t imagine starting — and selling — a business without that support. Having a team to walk me through the exiting process was key. They provided the expertise to make sure the right buyers were being brought in, the books were in order and everything about the business was in the right shape. The exit process is typically very complex, so having the Griswold team there was very helpful in allowing me to achieve my dreams of retirement.”
When it comes to the benefits of purchasing a resale location as opposed to a new operation, Calla says Vonderhaar has been incredibly helpful as she starts to manage the business herself.
“I texted Jim just last week about a printer maintenance question, and he responded to my question right away,” said Calla. “Just like with any training program, it is hard to remember everything afterward and apply it to the local office. There are some details that are a little too detailed or localized for the training program to cover, but Jim and the corporate team have been there for me, and it is great to have that network of people to lean on. Thanks to that support, we are on an upward trajectory and are excited for the next six months of growth and beyond.”
Now, the Griswold Home Care team is looking to partner with compassionate, empathetic individuals like Vonderhaar and the Shumans as the team gears up for strategic franchise growth throughout the country.
“The Griswold Home Care business model is designed to not only position owners for success but also to streamline the process of transferring those successful businesses to new franchisees,” said Michael Slupecki, CEO of Griswold. “Looking ahead, as we bring our essential senior care service to new communities, we are excited to continue helping our exiting owners achieve their dream of retirement while helping entrepreneurs achieve their dream of business ownership at the same time.”
The cost to open a Griswold Home Care franchise ranges from $108,181 to $181,431, including a $49,500 franchise fee. For more information on franchising with Griswold Home Care, visit https://www.griswoldhomecare.com/franchising/.
Griswold
SPONSORED
When Jim Vonderhaar sold his Griswold franchise to Calla and Layne Shuman, he was able to retire and help a married couple achieve their goal of business ownership.
As the growing senior population and the COVID-19 pandemic create a steadily increasing need for quality home care, Griswold Home Care, the non-medical home care franchise with 168 locations, gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to enter a resilient industry and provide an essential service. Founded in 1982 as the first non-medical home care franchise in the United States, Griswold Home Care is backed by nearly 40 years of experience providing quality home care to the elderly, disabled adults and others recovering from illnesses.
Today, the brand has expanded into 29 states across the country, thanks to the dedication and hard work of its franchisees. In addition to giving its owners the opportunity to run a proven business, Griswold Home Care makes it easy for those passionate franchisees to exit the system when they have realized their investment and are ready to retire and hand over the reins to new and excited candidates.
Jim Vonderhaar, for example, is a recently retired franchisee who was once a successful Griswold owner in Houston. Vonderhaar first invested in the brand in 2014 after spending 32 years in the corporate energy industry.
“I had always wanted to own my own business and give back to the community,” said Vonderhaar. “When I discovered Griswold Home Care, it really hit home. Around that time, both my parents got sick, so I saw first-hand what it takes to care for a parent with health issues. I bought an existing franchise location in 2014 from one of the brand’s largest franchisees in Houston. I knew it would be a temporary investment for me — my goal was to keep it for around 10 years and, if my son didn’t want to take it over, I would sell it. Seven years in, I decided it was time.”
That is when husband-and-wife team Calla and Layne Shuman came into the picture. Calla came from a background of helping small businesses grow in size as a business development manager in Houston, while Layne came from a career in the energy industry as well. The two got married in November 2020 and decided it was time to take their destiny in their own hands.
“As our family continued to grow, I wanted a business that would allow me the flexibility to spend more time at home while also having consistent income coming in,” Calla said. “Layne and I actually met with Jim and our broker for the first time on our wedding day! During the first meeting, we discussed taking over his Griswold location. I was hesitant for a long time because I had never started a business all on my own before, but my husband really pushed me and believed in me. In April 2021, we closed on the business, and it has been an incredible experience so far.”
The Shumans point to a few reasons why they were drawn to the Griswold business model, but one of the main reasons was the pandemic-resistant nature of the senior home care industry and the need for quality senior care in their community. With Griswold Home Care, franchise owners have the opportunity to join a $97 billion industry. The senior population is increasing rapidly in the United States — by the year 2040, AARP reports that about 20% of the population will be 65 years old or older.
Now, with the COVID-19 pandemic creating an even greater demand for safe, comfortable and quality home care, Griswold Home Care is uniquely positioned to thrive thanks to its differentiated and empathetic approach to home care. The brand uses a unique science-based assessment tool to measure and evaluate the client’s cognitive function to determine engagement steps and match caregivers accordingly. The home care services include homemaking, personal care, companion care, hospice care, respite care, live-in overnight care and more.
“The sale took place much quicker than I thought, and the increased demand for our services due to the COVID-19 pandemic had a lot to do with that,” said Vonderhaar.
Additionally, the Shumans say the brand’s robust corporate support and training infrastructure was another important factor in their decision. “Griswold has a lot to offer — an amazing team, staff and support,” said Calla. “Having a team who fully understands what I’m going through is great. I was entering a whole new industry that I had never been in. The team guided me through everything, whether it be compliance, recruiting, selling or phone screening. I couldn’t imagine starting a business by myself, and I’m really thankful that I have the support of the Griswold team.”
Vonderhaar agrees that the support infrastructure is a major differentiator for the Griswold Home Care brand. Not only was it one of the main reasons he originally joined the brand, but he says it is also why he found the transition process to be so streamlined.
“Franchising is so much simpler than starting a business from the ground up,” said Vonderhaar. “I couldn’t imagine starting — and selling — a business without that support. Having a team to walk me through the exiting process was key. They provided the expertise to make sure the right buyers were being brought in, the books were in order and everything about the business was in the right shape. The exit process is typically very complex, so having the Griswold team there was very helpful in allowing me to achieve my dreams of retirement.”
When it comes to the benefits of purchasing a resale location as opposed to a new operation, Calla says Vonderhaar has been incredibly helpful as she starts to manage the business herself.
“I texted Jim just last week about a printer maintenance question, and he responded to my question right away,” said Calla. “Just like with any training program, it is hard to remember everything afterward and apply it to the local office. There are some details that are a little too detailed or localized for the training program to cover, but Jim and the corporate team have been there for me, and it is great to have that network of people to lean on. Thanks to that support, we are on an upward trajectory and are excited for the next six months of growth and beyond.”
Now, the Griswold Home Care team is looking to partner with compassionate, empathetic individuals like Vonderhaar and the Shumans as the team gears up for strategic franchise growth throughout the country.
“The Griswold Home Care business model is designed to not only position owners for success but also to streamline the process of transferring those successful businesses to new franchisees,” said Michael Slupecki, CEO of Griswold. “Looking ahead, as we bring our essential senior care service to new communities, we are excited to continue helping our exiting owners achieve their dream of retirement while helping entrepreneurs achieve their dream of business ownership at the same time.”
The cost to open a Griswold Home Care franchise ranges from $108,181 to $181,431, including a $49,500 franchise fee. For more information on franchising with Griswold Home Care, visit https://www.griswoldhomecare.com/franchising/.
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