Can I Sell My Caring Transitions Franchise Before the Agreement Ends? Here’s What Owners Need to Know

One of the most common questions prospective Caring Transitions franchise owners ask is simple: If I invest in a franchise, am I locked into operating it for the entire term? Or can I sell the business when the time is right?

According to both Caring Transitions leadership and real franchisees who have gone through the process, the answer is clear: yes, you can resell — and in many cases, resale is a strategic part of the ownership journey.

For Mark and Shawn Gates, former owners in the Twin Cities, the ability to build a thriving business and then exit on their own timeline was one of the main reasons they invested in Caring Transitions in the first place.

A Franchise Built for Both Entry and Exit

Mark spent 33 years in corporate leadership at a large manufacturing company before retiring in 2019. Shawn had a long background in customer service with the same company before spending several years as a stay-at-home mom. When COVID hit, the pair were ready for a meaningful entrepreneurial chapter that aligned with the stage of life they were entering.

“When this business opportunity came up, we were at the age where we had senior parents and all of our friends had aging parents,” Shawn said. “It was a business we could relate to … and we had both wanted to experience entrepreneurship together.”

The couple launched their Caring Transitions franchise in January 2021, but unlike many new owners, they did not plan to operate it forever.

“We were never in this for the long haul,” Mark said. “I had already retired … We always had an exit plan — grow throughout the first three years and then sell the business. We wanted a three- to four-year business. We knew from the start we were going to do this the best we could and run up the value and then turn around and sell it.”

That strategic mindset shaped how they approached everything: onboarding, operations, staffing, and long-term planning.

Support Starts Early — And So Does Building Equity

Even though their onboarding took place virtually during the pandemic, Mark and Shawn say the support they received played a major role in their fast success.

“The bar was pretty high for me because I was used to working with multinational, Fortune 50 companies with world-class processes,” Mark said. “We had enough background to understand everything, but there were a lot of new things we learned about the service business.”

One of the most valuable aspects, they say, was access to experienced franchisees.

“We relied on a lot of experienced owners that guided us through the very early days when we were pretty much just jumping off a cliff,” Shawn said. “The company set you up with a mentor — we were ready to call at any time and ask questions.”

That strong start helped them quickly grow into one of the top 10 franchisees in the system. And as Vice President of Development Jim Stapleton emphasizes, every year of growth directly builds the equity an owner can eventually sell.

“From when they first purchase to when they sell, they are building equity into their business with the client list and relationships and everything else,” Stapleton said. “The value isn’t tied to inventory or a physical product — it’s mostly about relationships, book of business, reviews. But in a service-based industry, being able to sell a business like this is incredibly meaningful.”

Can Caring Transitions Franchisees Sell Their Business Anytime?

“Yes — they can sell their business at any time,” Stapleton said. “One of the parts that I love is being able to help an owner who has run the business for years get ready to retire or go on to their next venture by being able to sell the business.”

That flexibility is increasingly valuable as the brand grows. With demand accelerating and many prime territories now sold out, existing owners often hold highly desirable markets that new buyers want to acquire.

“We are selling more franchises this year than the year before, and it will continue that way,” Stapleton said. “As more prime locations become unavailable to us but available for owners to sell, it becomes a more attractive offer.”

Owners have three paths to selling: sell to someone they know, use a franchise broker, or use Caring Transitions’ internal resale support.

“We get about 150 leads a week of people looking to buy a CT franchise across the U.S., so we can help connect them,” Stapleton said. The resale process mirrors a new franchise sale: candidates learn the model, review the FDD, meet the team, and, once approved, finalize agreements and attend our training workshop.

A Real-World Example: The Gates’ Exit Strategy in Action

Mark and Shawn’s journey demonstrated how well the resale system can work — especially when owners plan ahead.

Mark, who spent decades creating succession plans in corporate leadership, knew they needed the right person lined up. That person ended up being Spencer Korum, a new employee they hired who quickly distinguished himself.

“When we hired Spencer, we realized he was very interested in owning the business,” Shawn said. “He wanted to purchase his own franchise. He was with us for about six months and went ahead to buy a territory, and then came to us and said he would like to buy our territories as well. It was a very easy transition.”

Because Korum already knew the business, the clients and the team, the handoff was seamless. “They were working with the same team, they understood all of the processes and they were well educated in the business at that time,” Shawn said.

But even with a buyer in hand, the Gateses still followed best practices. “We had already engaged with a business broker who helped coach us on valuation,” Mark said. “You don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket.”

In the end, Korum and his co-owner purchased all three territories and continue to run a successful operation today.

What Prospective Owners Should Know About Resale Timing

While owners can sell anytime, Stapleton stresses that planning ahead leads to the strongest outcome.

“If they are looking to sell, they should be thinking three to five years ahead,” he said. “They need a well-oiled machine with the numbers in place and the plan solid. It’s definitely not an overnight transaction.”

The typical resale timeline from initial conversation to final contracts takes a few months. But owners who begin preparing early — building strong financials, developing staff, and solidifying processes — often sell for higher valuations and experience smoother transitions.

“Somebody buying the business isn’t starting from scratch,” Stapleton said. “There is a lot of SEO built up in the area, a book of business already in place, the relationships they don’t have to build organically. It’s a huge advantage for the buyer — and a great exit opportunity for the seller.”

A Franchise Model Designed for Long-Term Value — Whether You Stay or Sell

Caring Transitions franchisees do not have to commit to operating their business for the entire franchise term. Owners can build a successful, meaningful business that serves families — and, when ready, sell the equity they’ve created to the next entrepreneur.

“We wanted to do something purposeful,” Mark said. “Caring Transitions was a great fit. And being able to grow it, build value and sell it when the time was right — that was exactly the plan.”

Whether a franchisee wants to build a legacy business or create a strategic three- to five-year path like the Gateses, Caring Transitions provides the structure, support and exit options to make both possible.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/caringtransitions/info.