2010
2
$50,000
$48,000
$109,850
No
Bridge to Better Living is a compassionate and trusted franchise opportunity dedicated to assisting seniors and their families in finding the ideal retirement community. Founded in 2010 by Mary Ann Stallings, the company has established itself as a leader in the senior care industry. With a commitment to personalized service and a deep understanding of the challenges families face, Bridge to Better Living offers a unique business model that combines meaningful work with a sustainable business opportunity.
Growing Market Demand: The aging population in the U.S. is increasing, leading to a higher demand for senior placement services.
Proven Business Model: Bridge to Better Living offers a tested and scalable business model with a high success rate among franchisees.
Comprehensive Support: Franchisees receive extensive training and ongoing support to ensure success.
Meaningful Impact: Make a positive difference in the lives of seniors and their families by providing essential services.
Established Year & Founders:
Bridge to Better Living was founded in 2010 by Mary Ann Stallings. Her personal experience with senior care inspired her to create a service that helps families find the right retirement communities for their loved ones. Mary Ann’s vision was to bridge the gap between seniors’ needs and the overwhelming choices available in senior living.
Franchise Units & Ownership:
As of now, the franchise has a modest number of units in operation, primarily within Nebraska, with plans for gradual expansion across the United States. The company is privately owned, meaning strategic decisions and brand values are directly overseen by the founders and leadership team, ensuring personalized attention to franchisee support and service quality.
Brand Journey & Company History:
Bridge to Better Living started as a local senior placement service and quickly gained a reputation for trustworthiness, empathy, and professionalism. Its growth is based on a referral-driven model, emphasizing strong relationships with senior living communities and families. Over the years, the company has refined its business processes and proprietary tools, like the BridgIT database, to help franchisees effectively match seniors with suitable communities.
Market Presence in the USA & Industry Category:
The franchise operates in the Senior Care / Senior Placement Services industry. With the U.S. senior population steadily growing, the market demand for reliable placement services is increasing. Although currently concentrated in certain regions, Bridge to Better Living has positioned itself to capitalize on this expanding market, offering franchisees a business with both social impact and financial potential.
Additional Notes:
The franchise model is home-based for the initial period, reducing overhead for new franchisees.
The brand emphasizes education, empathy, and service excellence, which are key differentiators in the senior care industry.
As the network expands, the company provides technology, marketing, and operational tools to ensure franchisee success.
Pre-Launch Training: Comprehensive initial training covering all aspects of the business, including client consultation, community research, and use of proprietary tools.
Operational Support: Ongoing assistance with day-to-day operations, including client management and service delivery.
Marketing Support: Access to marketing materials and strategies to promote the franchise locally.
Technology Tools: Utilization of the proprietary BridgIT database to research and compare senior living communities.
Continuous Education: Regular updates and training on industry trends and best practices to ensure franchisees remain informed and competitive.
1. Personal Traits & Passion:
The ideal franchisee is someone who is compassionate, empathetic, and genuinely motivated to improve the lives of seniors and their families. Since the business revolves around guiding families through critical life decisions, franchisees should have strong interpersonal skills, patience, and a sincere desire to make a positive social impact.
2. Business Background & Experience:
While prior experience in sales, healthcare, senior services, or customer service can be advantageous, it is not strictly required. The franchise provides comprehensive training, so motivated individuals from a variety of professional backgrounds can succeed. Experience in client-facing roles helps in building trust and credibility with families and senior communities.
3. Investment Capability:
Franchisees should have the financial ability to meet the initial investment requirements ($81,750 – $109,850 total investment) and manage operational expenses during the early stages. They should be comfortable with home-based operations initially and potentially expanding to a small office setup later.
4. Location & Market Understanding:
Ideal candidates are those willing to operate in regions with a growing senior population. They should have an understanding of their local community or be willing to learn about local senior living options, regulations, and resources to provide the most informed guidance to clients.
5. Commitment & Entrepreneurial Spirit:
The franchise suits individuals who are self-motivated, organized, and entrepreneurial, capable of running a semi-absentee or owner-operator model. Franchisees should be ready to actively manage client relationships, marketing initiatives, and operational tasks to build a profitable business.
6. Other Considerations:
Comfortable with technology and using proprietary tools like the BridgIT database for senior placement.
Open to continuous learning, including attending ongoing training sessions and industry updates.
Willingness to build a referral-driven business based on reputation, credibility, and trust.
| Category | Details / Range |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $81,750 – $109,850 |
| Minimum Investment Required | $50,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $48,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 8% of gross revenues or a minimum fee, whichever is higher |
| Brand Development Fund | 2% (planned for future as franchise network grows) |
| Local Advertising / Marketing | 10% of gross revenues or a minimum of $1,500/year (cap $45,000/year) |
| Expected Number of Employees | 1 – 2 |
| Infrastructure Cost / Office | Home-based initially (first 18 months); small office or executive suite thereafter |
| Working Capital | Included in total investment range |
| Break-even Time | Typically 12–24 months (depending on market and operational efficiency) |
| Expected ROI | Varies, typically strong due to low overhead and high-demand industry |
| Potential Revenue Streams | Senior placement commissions, consultation fees, ongoing client support services |
| Master Franchise / Multi-unit | Not currently available |
| Visa / International Options | Not available |
| Passive Ownership | Semi-absentee or owner-operator models permitted |
