Chefs for Senior Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$17,425 - $36,500
Franchise Fee
$8,550
Total US Locations
92
Business Summary
Chefs For Seniors is a franchise business that provides home-prepared nutritious meals and companionship to the elderly through a unique in-home service model. Chefs For Seniors franchisees, or their hired chefs, work with elderly clients to plan and prepare customized menus tailored to their tastes and dietary needs. On scheduled "Service Days," the chef shops for necessary ingredients, prepares make-ahead meals in the client's home during a two-hour visit, and offers companionship. Once prepared, meals are packaged, labeled, and stored in the client's refrigerator or freezer. The business operates according to a proprietary system of formats, methods, standards, and trade dress.
Corporate History
Chefs For Seniors Franchising, LLC (CFSF) was established in Wisconsin on June 6, 2017, and focuses on selling Chefs For Seniors franchises. Its parent company is Chefs For Seniors, Inc. (CFSI), which began as Chefs For Seniors, LLC, organized on June 13, 2013. Chefs For Seniors, LLC converted to a Delaware corporation in May 2016, becoming CFSI. CFSI has operated a Chefs For Seniors business, the same type offered to franchisees, in Wisconsin since August 2013. CFSF officially started offering franchises in June 2017, having licensed the "Chefs For Seniors" trademarks and service marks from its parent, CFSI.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$17,425 - $36,500
Franchise Fee (Low)
$8,550
Franchise Fee (High)
$16,500
Royalty %
8%
Marketing %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$250
Equipment Costs (High)
$1,600
Working Capital
$1,250
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Chefs For Seniors Franchising, LLC demonstrates positive working capital and net income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022. The independent auditor has issued an unqualified opinion on the financial statements, indicating they are presented fairly in all material respects. However, state regulators in Illinois and Maryland have required a financial assurance due to the franchisor's financial condition, leading to initial franchise fees being deferred until pre-opening obligations are completed.
Financing Details
Chefs For Seniors does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. Additionally, Chefs For Seniors does not guarantee any franchisee notes, leases, or other obligations.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
92
Franchised Units
91
Corporate Units
1
Avg Square Footage
150
Franchising Since
2017
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Summary
Chefs For Seniors has no litigation history to report in Item 3 of its Franchise Disclosure Document.
Bankruptcy History
Chefs For Seniors has no bankruptcy history to report in Item 4 of its Franchise Disclosure Document.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
3 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise, Chefs For Seniors franchisees must provide written notice of their intent to renew between six and twelve months before their current agreement expires. They must be in good standing, meaning they have not materially breached their agreement and have substantially complied with all operating and quality standards. Franchisees must have also timely fulfilled all monetary obligations to Chefs For Seniors and its designated suppliers. As part of renewal, franchisees are required to upgrade any business items, such as the Toolbox, vehicle, and signage, to meet the franchisor's then-current standards. They must also pay a $1,000 renewal fee, meet current qualification and training requirements, and execute a general release of any claims against Chefs For Seniors. The new renewal agreement may contain terms and conditions that differ materially from the original, though the royalty fee will not exceed the rate imposed on other similarly situated renewing franchisees.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Before a Chefs For Seniors franchisee opens for business, Chefs For Seniors designates a mutually acceptable territory and provides an Operations Manual. It also provides an initial training program, with the franchisee responsible for their own travel and living expenses. After the business opens, Chefs For Seniors provides ongoing support by continuing to lend the Operations Manual and issuing modifications to reflect updated standards and procedures. It offers guidance on various aspects of business operations including scheduling, administrative tasks, bookkeeping, accounting, and general management, through the Manual, intranet, bulletins, written reports, and telephonic consultations. Chefs For Seniors will defend franchisees in legal proceedings related to the proper use of trademarks. It may conduct market research and test new products or services, and it reviews any products or suppliers proposed by franchisees for approval. The franchisor also conducts marketing programs at its sole discretion and reviews all local advertising and promotional materials that franchisees propose to use. Additionally, Chefs For Seniors interviews and evaluates prospective buyers if a franchisee wishes to transfer their business.
Initial Training Hours
29
Training Location
Corporate location at 821 E Washington Ave., Madison, Wisconsin, with on-the-job training in a local grocery store and demo kitchen in the Madison, WI area.
Ongoing Support
After opening, Chefs For Seniors franchisees receive ongoing support in several ways. Chefs For Seniors continuously updates and provides the Operations Manual to reflect changes in specifications, standards, and operating procedures. It offers guidance on these procedures, scheduling, and the establishment and maintenance of administrative, bookkeeping, accounting, and general management practices. This guidance is delivered through the Operations Manual, a franchisee intranet, bulletins, written reports, and telephonic consultations. Chefs For Seniors also manages marketing and related programs at its discretion and must approve all local advertising and promotional materials proposed by franchisees. The franchisor maintains the central Social Media account, and franchisee business accounts function as child accounts, with Chefs For Seniors establishing, owning, and monitoring all postings. Franchisees may contribute to the content and maintenance of their Social Media pages, but only in adherence to franchisor guidelines and subject to its right to alter or delete postings.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Chefs For Seniors seeks franchisees who are owner-operators, meaning the majority owner of the franchisee entity must personally supervise and manage the franchised business, actively participate in day-to-day operations, and engage in marketing efforts. Candidates must obtain a Manager Food Safety Certification through ServSafe or prior to opening, pass criminal and driving record background checks, and successfully pass reference checks with previous employers.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Mobile
Owner Participation
Hands-On
Territory Type
Exclusive
Territory Size Requirements
Chefs For Seniors defines its territories based on the population of people aged 62 and older, using census zip code data. A Basic Territory includes approximately 50,000 people over 62, an Extended Territory covers about 100,000 people over 62, and a Regional Territory encompasses around 150,000 people over 62. The specific geographic boundaries are mutually agreed upon by the franchisee and franchisor.
Staffing Notes
Chefs For Seniors franchisees are exclusively responsible for hiring, retaining, firing, scheduling, and all other employment terms for their chefs and other staff. The franchisor explicitly states it is not the employer or a joint employer. Franchisees must ensure all employees, including chefs, maintain a neat appearance and wear required Chefs For Seniors uniforms while conducting business, which includes grocery shopping and preparing meals in clients' homes. Additionally, franchisees are required to have their employees sign a Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement that names Chefs For Seniors Franchising, LLC as an intended third-party beneficiary. Franchisees are prohibited from recruiting or hiring employees from other Chefs For Seniors businesses.