Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$149,000 - $201,000
Franchise Fee
$46,750
Total US Locations
360
Business Summary
Senior Helpers operates care agencies that provide various non-medical and personal assistance services, primarily for elderly individuals. These services include companionship, bathing, dressing, grooming, light housekeeping, meal planning, errand running, medication reminders, Alzheimer's and dementia care, and caregiver staffing for facilities.
Corporate History
Senior Helpers traces its origins to a Maryland limited liability company that owned and operated a Senior Helpers Care Business in Towson, Maryland, from May 2002 until March 2012. The predecessor company began offering franchises in April 2005. SH-Florida, another predecessor, started offering franchises in March 2010. The current franchisor, SH Franchising, LLC (referred to as SH-Delaware), was formed in October 2012 following a conversion and merger, and began offering franchises at that time. In March 2024, Senior Support Holdings (Franchise) Acquisition, Inc., a subsidiary of Senior Support Holdings, L.P. (managed by Waud Capital Partners), acquired 100% of the equity ownership of SH Franchising, LLC's parent company. An affiliate of Waud Capital Partners also operates a similar business, Concierge Home Care, which provides skilled home healthcare services in Florida. Additionally, in April 2025, an affiliate of Senior Helpers acquired MedTec Healthcare and Private Duty, a home care and adult day center business providing similar services, primarily for Medicaid clients in the Chicago area, though this will not operate under the Senior Helpers brand.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$149,000 - $201,000
Franchise Fee (Low)
$46,750
Franchise Fee (High)
$55,000
Royalty %
5%
Marketing %
1%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$21,300
Equipment Costs (High)
$38,900
Working Capital
$34,850
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Senior Helpers' financial statements show net losses for all reported periods: $(1,385,423) for the period from March 20 to December 31, 2024 (Successor), $(1,140,057) for the period from January 1 to March 19, 2024 (Predecessor), and $(6,941,137) for the year ended December 31, 2023 (Predecessor). The company also reported an accumulated deficit of $(1,385,423) for the Successor period in 2024 and $(24,909,308) for the Predecessor period in 2023. A significant recapitalization of $206,096,119 and distributions of $5,839,341 occurred in 2024. Despite these losses and deficits, the independent auditor's report does not contain a going concern qualification, indicating no substantial doubt about Senior Helpers' ability to continue operations.
Financing Details
Senior Helpers does not offer direct or indirect financing to new franchisees. However, since 2013, Senior Helpers has provided financing for the entire initial franchise fee to certain exceptionally performing existing franchisees who purchase an additional franchised business. These financed amounts are typically repaid via monthly installments over a two to three-year period, with a simple interest rate of eight percent (8%) to nine percent (9%) per annum. No security interest is taken for this financing, and the debt is personally guaranteed by the owners of the purchasing entity. The loan can be prepaid without penalty, but a default could lead to acceleration of the balance, responsibility for legal fees, and potential termination of the franchise agreement.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
360
Franchised Units
355
Corporate Units
5
Avg Square Footage
1,000
Franchising Since
2005
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
4
Litigation Summary
Senior Helpers has disclosed four litigation cases. Two of the cases, filed in 2016 and 2018, involved allegations of negligence, negligent hiring, breach of contract, and theft related to caregiver services provided by franchisees. Both of these cases were settled for $150,000 each and subsequently dismissed in 2017 and 2019, respectively. A third case, which started in September 2019, involved an investigation by the Washington Attorney General into "no-poach" provisions in Senior Helpers' franchise agreements. Senior Helpers entered into an Assurance of Discontinuance in November 2019, agreeing to remove such provisions nationwide. The most recent case, filed on July 25, 2024, alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Ohio Wage Act against Senior Helpers, one of its franchisees, and the franchisee's owner. This case was settled for $42,000, paid by the franchisee, and dismissed on April 11, 2025.
Bankruptcy History
Senior Helpers has no bankruptcy history to disclose for itself, its predecessors, parents, or any persons listed in Item 2 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew, Senior Helpers franchisees must have substantially complied with their franchise agreement throughout its term and be in full compliance with the agreement, other agreements, and all System Standards at the time of renewal notice and commencement of the successor term. Franchisees must also maintain possession of their approved premises or secure an approved substitute, which must comply with or be developed/refurbished to meet current System Standards. They will be required to sign Senior Helpers' then-current franchise agreement for a five-year successor term, which may contain materially different provisions, although the royalty rate will remain the same. Additionally, franchisees and their owners must sign general releases of any claims against Senior Helpers.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Senior Helpers provides various types of assistance to its franchisees. Before opening, they help with site selection by offering guidelines, criteria, and demographic information, along with specifications and layouts for the office, including required fixtures and equipment. They also conduct an initial training program and loan franchisees an Operations Manual. Once open, Senior Helpers continues to advise franchisees on operations, advertising, marketing programs, employee training, recruiting, and administrative procedures. They also administer a Marketing Fund for brand enhancement and provide access to proprietary data-driven assessment tools and information technology services for a monthly fee. Franchisees are also required to attend periodic training courses, conventions, and regional meetings, including a mandatory national conference and Senior Gems training.
Initial Training Hours
65
Training Location
Remote and corporate headquarters in Towson, Maryland
Ongoing Support
After opening, Senior Helpers franchisees receive ongoing advice on business operations, standards, marketing, employee training, recruiting, and administrative procedures, often through the Operations Manual. They also get assistance through mandatory standards and suggested operations procedures. Senior Helpers administers a Marketing Fund for brand and Mark enhancement and works with franchisees to develop annual advertising plans. Franchisees and their managers are required to attend various ongoing training courses, periodic conventions, regional meetings, and an annual national conference. Additionally, at least one person from the franchised business must complete Senior Gems training within six months of opening.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Senior Helpers seeks individuals or legal entities who are qualified, willing to invest, and committed to operating a Senior Helpers Care Business using their System and Marks. For entities, an Operating Principal must be appointed who will provide full-time general oversight and manage the business. This Operating Principal cannot be employed full-time by any other entity. Each franchised business must also have a Key Manager responsible for direct supervision. All management personnel, including the Operating Principal and Key Manager, must complete Senior Helpers' certification and training programs satisfactorily. The franchisor emphasizes that the franchisee is solely responsible for all employment-related decisions.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
commercial
Owner Participation
full-time
Territory Type
protected
Territory Size Requirements
Senior Helpers defines territories on a case-by-case basis using zip codes. They may also use other boundaries like natural geographic features. The determination of territory size considers economic, demographic, and geographic information, including the number of residents aged 75 years and older.
Staffing Notes
Senior Helpers requires that each franchised business have an Operating Principal who provides full-time general oversight and a Key Manager responsible for direct supervision. The Operating Principal must not have other full-time employment outside the franchised business during the first year of operation. Senior Helpers also advises that franchisees initially hire a full-time office support person and a marketing person. All management and other personnel must satisfactorily complete all state and local government-required training and licensing. Senior Helpers is not involved in employment decisions like hiring, firing, discipline, compensation, benefits, or scheduling; these are the sole responsibility of the franchisee.