Navy Veteran Tony De la Cruz Brings Griswold Franchise to Greater Sacramento

Service has always been at the center of Tony De la Cruz’s career, from his time in the Navy to pharmacy leadership, and now as the owner of a senior care business with Griswold. After witnessing the needs of his own aging parents and in-laws, De la Cruz knew he wanted to make a difference for families going through similar transitions. 

“The opportunity with Griswold came along, and I thought it was a great match,” De la Cruz said. “Most people want to age at home — it’s where they feel safest. Griswold gives us the ability to help them do that with dignity, safety and care.”

In June, he took over the Griswold franchise serving Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado Counties. Backed by his pharmacy background and the supportive Griswold network, De la Cruz is on a mission to give back to his community in a deeply personal way.

1851 spoke with De la Cruz to learn more about his background and his plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Tony De la Cruz: I did four years in the Navy — I served as a Navy officer. That started off my career and paid for my college. It was a great honor to serve, and that’s kind of been the theme of my career. After the Navy, I went to pharmacy school. My grandfather was a pharmacist in Japan, and my mom used to tell me stories about him being the village pharmacist. That really inspired me.

I started out as a community pharmacist and then moved into management. After that company was bought out by CVS, I had to rethink my career path. I became director of pharmacy for an acute care psychiatric hospital in Sacramento, then moved to Target pharmacy and eventually to Kaiser. I was able to blend management with pharmacy practice.

Then my parents started aging and entered those vulnerable years. I lived in the Bay Area and they were in SoCal, so I started to understand what was going to be needed — extra care and support. Sadly, they passed somewhat suddenly, but when my mother-in-law began needing help, that interest in senior care came back even stronger.

My original goal was to acquire an assisted living facility and provide direct care, but there were a lot of financial obstacles to that. The opportunity with Griswold came along, and I thought it was a great match. Most people want to age at home — it’s where they feel safest. Griswold gives us the ability to help them do that with dignity, safety and care.

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?

De la Cruz: I’ve always had the entrepreneurial bug. When I was managing a whole region of pharmacies, I got introduced to the business side of the practice. That’s when I really got interested in owning a business. Griswold felt like the perfect fit where I could help a vulnerable population. And the more successful we are, the more we can give back.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

De la Cruz: The previous owners I bought the business from are an outstanding couple and they introduced me to the Griswold brand. I recently went to training at the corporate office, and I was so impressed with their expertise and how much they care. They really want all franchisees to succeed and are always ready to help.

Any time I had a question or concern, they didn’t hesitate to jump in. It really felt like a family. During Discovery Day, you could tell they genuinely cared. That really touched me.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

De la Cruz: The long-term goal is to expand and serve as many clients as we can who need assistance. I’ve come across a lot of cases where it’s clear help is needed, but it’s just not readily available. Griswold offers a great alternative to assisted living or board and care homes. I want to grow within the area and give back by being actively involved in the senior community.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

De la Cruz: Really do your homework. Research the franchisor as much as you can. Make sure you connect with them in terms of goals, mission and values. That’s key. Once you find that alignment, you’ll be on a very positive path.

ABOUT GRISWOLD

With 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 www.griswoldcare.com or call 215.402.0200.