The Great Franchisee: Viking Dietrich, Griswold Home Care, Spring Valley, TX

Viking Dietrich spent nearly three decades in the energy industry, building a successful career in gas marketing and trading. Now, Dietrich is closing the chapter on that career and starting his own business with Griswold Home Care, the 200-location leading senior care franchise.

A little over a decade ago, Dietrich was introduced to a new colleague, a business management professional named Brandon Harrison, who was just beginning his career in the industry. The two struck up a friendship and worked together for years, all the while planning to one day leave their corporate jobs and go into business for themselves. In 2020, they decided the time had finally come.

In November, Dietrich and Harrison began searching for franchise opportunities that might fit their financial and lifestyle goals. They researched more than 15 brands, but Dietrich says they kept coming back to Griswold. It was the only brand that allowed them to give back to the community directly while also meeting their financial goals. Now, both Dietrich and Harrison are opening their own Griswold franchise locations in Texas.

1851 Franchise: Tell us your story – what did you do before franchising?

Viking Dietrich: I attended Ole Miss for college and graduated with a business degree in petroleum land management. I was a land man for five years before I moved into the gas marketing and trading industry, where I spent the last 25 years. My business partner and I met while working in the industry. We always talked about doing something else on our own and getting out of corporate America.

I left my job in August of 2020 and took some time off. In November, I decided it was time to make my business ownership dream a reality. I researched around 17 different opportunities before settling on Griswold. It was important to me to find something that would have a direct impact on my customers and give back to them. Since I worked with big corporations throughout my career, giving back to the community was something I really wanted to focus on next. I initially looked at oil change and home restoration services, but didn’t feel that sense of giving back and decided to pivot.

1851: How did you initially find out about franchising, and what was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchise owner?

Dietrich: I investigated franchising about 20 years ago but didn't pull the trigger at the time, so I have been aware of franchising opportunities for quite some time. I have always looked at franchising as a way to mitigate some of the risk of entering small business ownership with a proven concept and guidance from an experienced team.    

1851: How did you decide you wanted to be a franchisee?

Dietrich: My business partner and I had always talked about leaving Corporate America behind. Franchises appealed to us because they have proven systems and support from a corporate team.

1851: How did you perform your research?

Dietrich: I started the investigation process by researching franchises online via franchising websites such as Franchise.com, Franchise Chatter and various franchise blogs. Once I determined I wanted to be in a service industry and wanted to have a direct positive impact on my customers (regardless of the industry), I was able to narrow my focus, ultimately deciding on non-medical home care and Griswold.  

1851: Why did you pick Griswold Home Care? What excited you most about the potential?

Dietrich: Griswold is actually one of the first companies I came across. Every time we spoke with another brand, Griswold would always come up as a tried and true option. In the end, it really was an easy decision. I loved the corporate team and could see the support they give their franchisees firsthand. Through the investigation process, I spoke with other Griswold franchisees and they were very complimentary of the franchisor. I also knew that I’d be able to meet my economic goals with Griswold.

Before signing with Griswold, I came across an old letter I had from a former colleague, Jim Vonderhaar, from 2015. The letter was announcing his recent purchase of a Griswold franchise in Houston. Jim and I worked together at an energy consulting business in 2006 and 2007, where Jim was the president. I had a lot of respect for Jim, and that made me even more excited about and confident in our decision to move forward with Griswold. Finding that old letter is what kicked off our idea of considering Griswold, and I’m very grateful for it.

1851: What are your dreams with the business? What does the future look like?

Dietrich: I’m certainly interested in growing with the band and purchasing more territories. For now, I’m excited to develop Griswold in these two markets and continue growing the brand’s presence throughout Houston.

1851: What does it mean to you opening up a home care facility in the midst of a global pandemic? How will Griswold help the community during this time?

Dietrich: Home care service is more important now than ever before. What I really liked about the home care industry is that there really aren’t many disruptions due to COVID-19. Initially, yes, everyone was afraid to leave their homes. But once safety measures were put in place, Griswold got home care workers back into customers’ homes. The business is COVID-proof. The need for home care has also grown with people spending less time in hospitals for rehabilitation and instead coming home where they need a caregiver.

1851: What advice would you have for others looking at buying a franchise?

Dietrich: Do your research. There are a lot of franchise opportunities out there. Some franchisors are more interested in signing up new franchisees and collecting the franchise fee rather than actually providing the guidance and support a franchisee needs in order to be successful. Though my business partner and I found Griswold on our own, we did engage two franchise advisors late in our process and found that they provide great advice and guidance and I would definitely advise taking advantage of their services.

1851: What do you do in your personal time?

Dietrich: I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, including my wife, two grown daughters and our labradoodle, John Bell. I also enjoy spending my free time cycling the Houston city streets and bike trails, and I am a big live music fan. 

About Griswold Home Care

With 200 locations in 30 states, Griswold Home Care is one of the country’s top home care companies, delivering compassionate care 24/7 to its clients. Its purpose is to give people the help they need to live in the place they love. Through this purpose, Griswold Home Care helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age or onset of illness 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. For more information, visit www.griswoldhomecare.com or call (215) 402-0200.