Established
2002
Franchise Units
400
Minimum Investment
$132,499
Franchise Fee
$50,000
Total Investment Range
$235,038
Home Based
No
Description
BrightStar Care is a leading home healthcare franchise offering both skilled and non-skilled in-home care, along with medical staffing services. Franchisees play a vital role in improving the health and quality of life for their clients, while also easing the emotional and physical burden on families. From companionship and personal care to complex medical services like blood draws and infusions, BrightStar Care delivers hospital-quality services in the comfort of home.
With over 400 locations nationwide, BrightStar Care has proven to be a recession-resistant business model in a growing industry. Services are available 24/7, allowing franchisees to meet the full spectrum of client needs—ranging from senior care to pediatric home health. Backed by a nationally recognized brand, comprehensive training, and ongoing support, BrightStar offers a robust opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to make a difference while building a sustainable business.
Background
- Established Year: 2002
- Franchising since: 2005
- Founders: Shelly Sun and JD Sun
- Headquarters: Gurnee, Illinois
- Active Units: 400
- Company-Owned Units: 31
Industry Category: Medical and Non-Medical Home Care & Medical Staffing.
- States Registered In: All U.S. states except Hawaii
- Canada Franchises: No
- International Franchises: No
The Journey: Shelly Sun founded BrightStar Care after a personal struggle to find high-quality, reliable care for her own family. Her vision was to create a company that provided "the full picture" of care. Over the last two decades, the brand has evolved from a local startup into a massive franchise network. Recent years have seen significant investment in the brand’s technology and infrastructure, further solidifying its presence as a leader in the North American healthcare market.
Support Training
Financial Assistance: Third-party
Site Selection Assistance: Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance: Yes
Recruiting Assistance: Yes
Co-operative Advertising: Yes
Training & Franchisor Support
New Owner Training:
-
Two-week program:
- Pre-Opening Training (for new owners)
- Boot Camp (for owners, salespeople, branch managers, Directors of Nursing)
Additional Programs:
- Sales Management Certification Program
- Dedicated BrightStar team guiding franchisees from signing → first 6 months
- Weekly coaching calls during startup
- Sales & operational field visits after opening
Ongoing Support:
- Regular consultation from Field Support Representatives
- Monthly Best Practice Calls (franchisees + staff + corporate)
- Online training through Learning Management System (LMS)
-
Regional & national meetings:
- Annual Franchisee Conference
- Branch Leadership Conference
- Semi-annual regional summits
- Quarterly Town Hall Meetings
Ideal Candidate
74% of new owners have no healthcare background!
Function of the owner/daily tasks:
IDEAL CANDIDATE: BrightStar Care franchisees come from all walks of life and career backgrounds. Many people may think that experience in the healthcare industry is a prerequisite to success with an in-home care franchise that delivers skilled care, but this is not the case. In fact, 74% of our owners had no prior healthcare experience.
Jim Guzdziol is a good example. "I mean I had no healthcare background, but I had a lot of good business experience, which of course is important. I think probably the biggest skill-set needed are overall general management skills and the ability to manage people, build a team of people and a culture that can make your business successful."
Financial Detail
Cash Investment: $150,000 liquid
Total Investment: $132,499 – $235,038
Franchise Fee: $50,000
Royalty Fee: 5.25%
Ad Fund: $500/month or 2.5%
Item 19: Yes
Ownership & Operations
Average Employees: 3+
Visa Candidates: No
Passive Ownership: No (active ownership required)
Home-Based: No
B2B: No
Master Franchise Opportunities: No
Discounts
Veteran Discount: Yes
Special Program: $5,000 VetFran discount