BrightStar Care: Achieving a Remarkable Milestone in Senior Care

This article was originally published in Franchise Dictionary Magazine on November 30, 2024. BrightStar Care® recently achieved a significant milestone with the opening of its 400th location. The brand, founded in 2002 and franchised in 2006, provides medical staffing and both medical and nonmedical in-home care to seniors and others needing assistance. 

“It takes a strong brand to reach this milestone,” said Chief Development Officer Pete First, adding that few franchisors ever surpass 100 locations. “It’s a huge accomplishment.” 

The brand offers medical staffing to care facilities and in-home care services, including Alzheimer’s and dementia care, child care, companion care, in-home therapies, personal care, short-term transitional care and skilled nursing. BrightStar Care also holds large national accounts, with infusion companies, hospitals and more.

“We’ve got such a strong foundation, and the brand itself, with our multiple revenue streams, provides a great foundation for franchisees, and it gives them the opportunity to diversify their business,” said First.

Every BrightStar Care franchise employs a registered nurse director who oversees a nursing staff for all care services. This critical oversight reduces the number of return trips to the hospital or rehabilitation centers and provides comfort to clients and their families.

BrightStar Care is the only brand in the in-home senior care industry to carry accreditation by The Joint Commission, the gold standard in healthcare. The accreditation helps to attract top nurses and caregivers as well as families seeking quality care for loved ones. 

“It’s a huge differentiator for us,” First said. 

BrightStar Care operates in 41 states and is upward bound, with several more franchises scheduled to open by the end of 2024. The brand offers large, protected territories, giving franchisees the opportunity to grow in the surrounding areas. They target potential franchisees directly within open territories, and several locations have arisen from franchisee and client referrals. Additionally, the brand is exploring expanding into some smaller territories in which potential franchisees and national accounts have expressed interest. 

“The most important thing is to provide coverage to as many people as we can,” First said. “What really sets us apart – what gets people excited – is that we offer more than companion care.”

Franchise owners, branch managers and directors of nursing receive extensive introductory and ongoing training at the brand’s Gurnee, Illinois, headquarters.

The senior market is expanding rapidly and, according to the National Council on Aging, more than 80 million Americans will be 65 or older by 2040. Due to this growing market, the brand is highly scalable because families and their loved ones often will need additional services. 

“The demographics are pushing us,” First said.

In fact, AARP reported that more than 75% of people over 50 want to age in the comfort of their own homes.

“Everybody wants to stay home,” First said. “That’s where they’re comfortable.” 

BrightStar Care gives clients the ability to remain happy at home. The brand may provide franchisees with wealth and quality of life, but for many, the heart is why they get into the business.

“You have to come in with the business side top of mind but stay because of the heart,” First explained. “The opportunity is great for many years ahead, and there’s no reason not to take a look at it and get started.”