Top Franchise Brands for Veterans: Griswold

Veterans who step into business ownership are often looking for more than financial performance alone. They want mission, structure, and support. Griswold has built a system that aligns closely with the strengths many veterans already possess, while also honoring their service in tangible ways.

With more than 200 locations across 30 states, Griswold is one of the country’s leading non-medical home care companies. Founded in 1982 by Jean Griswold, the brand provides companion care, personal care, respite care, and home services that help older adults and individuals with chronic conditions remain safely at home. 

It gives franchisees the opportunity to build a business that delivers essential care while making a direct impact in their local communities. 

A Mission That Feels Familiar

Nolan Chandler, a veteran of the Marine Corps, said Griswold’s combination of purpose and ownership was what attracted him to the brand. Chandler initially explored franchise ownership after considering other career options. Home care stood out.

“When I whittled it down, it was between basically residential cleaning and non-medical home care,” Chandler said. “What tipped the scale was that my grandmother got really sick pretty quickly in 2009. I feel like if we had known about home care at that point, it would have been different because she may have been able to stay at home.”

He began thinking about how many other families might be navigating the same uncertainty, unaware that in-home care could be a viable alternative to a facility. What his family went through was not unique. Many families are forced to make quick decisions during medical crises without fully understanding the options available to them.

Griswold’s model addresses that gap. The brand’s mission centers on helping individuals remain safely at home while giving families clarity and support during difficult seasons. For Chandler, the ability to build a business that meets a real need in the community is what ultimately set the opportunity with Griswold apart.

Leadership Skills That Translate

Military training often emphasizes leadership, discipline and clarity of mission — skills that translate directly into operating a home care franchise.

That approach carries over into how Chandler runs his operation. “It is leadership,” he said. “You’re leading your Caregivers, your staff.” Rather than micromanaging, he sets clear expectations, communicates the objective and empowers his team to determine how best to execute the plan — as long as it aligns with the mission and the desired outcome.

That same military mindset also shows up in discipline. “It’s easy to just want to take a day off,” Chandler said. “But because we have that discipline instilled in us, that makes us want to do these things despite us being tired.”

Financial Recognition for Service

Griswold backs up its appreciation for veterans with financial incentives. Honorably discharged veterans are eligible for a 20% discount on their first franchise fee, helping reduce the initial investment barrier.

“That discount on the franchise fee can be big,” said Chandler. “It could be something that impacts whether you can do it or not.”

Real Support Beyond the Sales Process

One of the biggest concerns prospective franchisees have is what happens after signing the agreement. Griswold’s structure is designed to remove that uncertainty.

“Their support is tremendous,” he said. “They actually had scheduled calls for new franchises weekly.” Those calls can continue for about a year, with the option to scale back as owners gain confidence.

Beyond the check-ins, Griswold uses a ticketing system for operational questions and typically responds within a day or two, giving franchisees timely guidance as issues come up.

That hands-on approach extends into licensing, too. “They did as much as they could aside from signing for me,” Chandler said. “They were there to help answer questions because many franchises went before us getting licensed. So they have a lot of answers to questions they know we’re going to ask.”

Serving Veterans as Clients, Too

Griswold’s commitment extends beyond franchise ownership. The company has earned the VA Provider Badge from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a designation awarded to providers that meet established standards for serving veterans.

In addition, Griswold has partnered with ParadigmVA to help streamline credentialing and billing in markets where VA services are accessible. The goal is to simplify the administrative side of serving veteran Clients so owners can focus on care delivery and growth.

The brand also marks Veterans Day annually with tributes that recognize the sacrifices of service members across the country.

A Brand Built on Empathy and Structure

Griswold provides veteran franchisees with a mission-driven framework supported by systems, compliance guidance and ongoing operational coaching. Veterans who want to channel their leadership, discipline and commitment to service into business ownership will find that Griswold is structured to support that next chapter.