Caring Transitions Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$70,760 - $117,150
Franchise Fee
$48,510
Min Cash Required
$4,000
Total US Locations
367
Business Summary
Caring Transitions organizes and conducts sales of estate assets, personal belongings, and household goods. It also provides transition services, liquidations, and moving management services for individuals, businesses, and organizations. Caring Transitions' primary customers include administrators of estates, heirs of deceased individuals, elderly people who are preparing to move into nursing or assisted living facilities, and other individuals who wish to downsize their household or dispose of excess belongings.
Corporate History
Caring Transitions was formed as an Ohio corporation on April 20, 2006, specifically to sell and support estate and household liquidation and moving management franchises. The company has offered Caring Transitions franchises since 2006. Although Caring Transitions itself has never operated a franchise, a company named DMGI, Inc., owned by the same founders, operated a similar business from June 2006 through December 2007. Caring Transitions has not engaged in any other business activities or offered other types of franchises.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$70,760 - $117,150
Franchise Fee (Low)
$48,510
Franchise Fee (High)
$53,900
Minimum Cash Required
$4,000
Royalty %
6%
Marketing %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$1,500
Equipment Costs (High)
$4,000
Working Capital
$21,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Caring Transitions appears to be in strong financial health. The company has shown consistent and increasing profitability, with net income growing from over $1 million in 2022 to over $2.7 million in 2024. Its cash position has also grown significantly, reaching over $2.3 million by the end of 2024. The company maintains healthy working capital, with current assets far exceeding current liabilities. The independent auditors did not identify any substantial doubt about Caring Transitions' ability to continue as a going concern.
Financing Details
Caring Transitions does not offer any direct or indirect financing to franchisees. It also does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other financial obligations for its franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
367
Franchised Units
372
Corporate Units
0
Franchising Since
2006
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
5
Litigation Summary
Caring Transitions and its affiliates have been involved in several legal matters. In March 2021, an affiliate, F.C. Franchising Systems, Inc. (Fresh Coat), settled with the Virginia State Corporation Commission's Division of Securities and Retail Franchising. The Division alleged that Fresh Coat's 2012 and 2013 disclosure documents failed to disclose an officer's personal bankruptcy. Fresh Coat offered refunds to three purchasers and rescission to one owner (who declined), and paid $8,000 in costs/penalties. In July 2021, Caring Transitions and its affiliates entered a Consent Order with the California Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation due to a director's personal bankruptcy filing in 2012 not being disclosed in certain FDDs between 2012 and 2016. They agreed to comply with the Corporations Code. A second Consent Order with the California Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation was made in December 2021 because the certified public accountant auditing their financial statements was not registered in Ohio as required. Caring Transitions paid a $5,000 administrative penalty, which was reimbursed by the CPA. In August 2022, an affiliate, G.C. Franchising Systems, Inc. (Growth Coach), settled with the Virginia State Corporation Commission's Division of Securities and Retail Franchising for not disclosing a former board member's personal bankruptcy in its 2015 FDD. Growth Coach offered a refund and rescission to a franchisee (who declined) and paid $3,500 in costs/penalties. Most recently, in December 2024, an action was filed against Caring Transitions in South Carolina (LaBarbera v. C.T. Franchising Systems, Inc.) alleging non-compliance with the South Carolina Business Opportunity Sales Act. The plaintiff sought to void the franchise agreement and damages. Caring Transitions disputed the claims and moved to transfer the action to federal court in Ohio. The plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the action in February 2025.
Bankruptcy History
Caring Transitions has no bankruptcy history to report.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their Caring Transitions franchise agreement, franchisees must be in full compliance with their current Franchise Agreement when it expires and Caring Transitions must still be offering new franchise opportunities. Franchisees are required to provide 6 to 12 months written notice of their intent to renew. They must sign Caring Transitions' then-current franchise agreement, which might have different terms, such as higher royalty or branding contributions. Additionally, they must sign a general release (if allowed by state law) and meet any new training requirements set by Caring Transitions for renewing franchisees.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Caring Transitions provides a range of assistance to its franchisees. Before opening, Caring Transitions helps by approving territory boundaries, supplying specifications and a list of approved suppliers for equipment and services, and providing access to digital advertising templates and business forms. It also furnishes a confidential operations manual and delivers an initial training program for up to two people. Once open, Caring Transitions offers ongoing support through telephone, email, and web-based programs, and may conduct discretionary office visits. The company also maintains a website to promote franchisee services and may provide names of approved suppliers for various items. Caring Transitions may hold mandatory regional and national meetings for franchisees, covering topics like sales techniques and marketing, for which a reasonable registration fee may be charged.
Initial Training Hours
75
Training Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
Ongoing Support
Caring Transitions offers ongoing support to its franchisees through various channels. This includes assistance provided via telephone, email, and web-based programs as needed. Caring Transitions may also conduct discretionary office visits to offer additional operational support. Franchisees can attend regional and national meetings and conferences, which may be mandatory, to discuss sales techniques, service procedures, personnel matters, and marketing strategies. The company also maintains a website that promotes franchisee services and lists contact information for different Caring Transitions locations.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Caring Transitions looks for individuals or entities who exhibit the necessary aptitude, abilities, and personal characteristics to successfully operate a Caring Transitions franchise. Ideal candidates should meet Caring Transitions' educational, managerial, and business standards. They are expected to possess good moral character, a strong business reputation, and a good credit rating. Successful candidates will demonstrate the aptitude and ability to conduct the franchised business, which may be evidenced by prior related business experience, and have adequate financial resources and capital for operations.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Hybrid
Owner Participation
Absentee Allowed
Territory Type
Protected
Staff Count
2
Territory Size Requirements
Caring Transitions territories are defined by postal codes and are single, undivided geographic areas. For the base initial franchise fee, a territory will have a population between 175,000 and 200,000 people. If a franchisee's territory has a population greater than 200,000, an additional fee of $500 is charged for every 1,000 people (or part thereof) over 200,000, with no maximum limit on the territory population. Population figures are determined using extrapolated census data and a designated mapping system.
Staffing Notes
Each Caring Transitions franchise must be directly supervised on-premises by an approved manager who has successfully completed the initial training program. This manager is not required to be an owner of the franchise. For every additional Caring Transitions franchise owned, a separate full-time manager is required. Additionally, franchisees must hire a dedicated business development representative for each franchise within 90 days of completing training, who will be primarily focused on marketing the business for at least 15 hours per week.