Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$125,460 - $171,150
Franchise Fee
$15,950
Total US Locations
539
Business Summary
Visiting Angels provides non-medical home caregiving services, often referred to as 'private duty' care, to adult clients in their homes. Franchisees operate this business under the Visiting Angels, Living Assistance Services brand.
Corporate History
Visiting Angels, operating as Living Assistance Services, Inc., was incorporated in Delaware on September 25, 1998. The company developed its franchise program before its incorporation and began offering franchises in non-registration states in September 1998. While the franchisor itself did not operate similar businesses, other directors of the corporation have experience operating similar businesses dating back to 1980.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$125,460 - $171,150
Franchise Fee (Low)
$15,950
Franchise Fee (High)
$89,950
Royalty %
3.5%
Marketing %
2.5%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$4,500
Equipment Costs (High)
$12,000
Working Capital
$50,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Visiting Angels demonstrates a strong financial position, as evidenced by an unqualified audit opinion for its 2022, 2023, and 2024 financial statements, with no going concern qualifications. The company's cash and net income have significantly increased over the past three years. A notable point is the restatement of the 2023 financial statements to correct material misstatements, though the restated figures received an unmodified audit opinion. Additionally, the company is defending a lawsuit for negligence and wrongful death from 2023, with the potential loss not yet defined.
Financing Details
Visiting Angels does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. The company also does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other financial obligations for franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
539
Franchised Units
539
Corporate Units
0
Franchising Since
1998
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
5
Litigation Summary
Visiting Angels has been involved in five material civil lawsuits within the past three years. Two of these lawsuits, filed in 2025 and 2023 respectively, are currently ongoing. The 2025 case, Vinchesi v. LASI, involves a malpractice claim where a client fell and broke her hip. The Jane S. Jones case alleges negligence and wrongful death after a caregiver's death, with Visiting Angels actively engaged in mediation. A 2023 case, Teresa Parker v. Markiesha Stafford, concerns a car accident involving a franchisee's employee outside of work hours, with settlement negotiations underway. Additionally, Visiting Angels filed two breach of contract and trademark infringement lawsuits against former franchisees for continued operation after termination. The case against Brenda J. Myers and Caregivers of Ohio, LLC, filed in 2021, settled in late 2023 and early 2024. The lawsuit against Andrew Francis Block, filed in 2023, settled in July 2023.
Bankruptcy History
Visiting Angels has no bankruptcy history to disclose.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew, Visiting Angels franchisees must have substantially complied with all material provisions of their original franchise agreement, be operating in substantial compliance with the Brand Standards & Training Manual, not be in default, and have fulfilled the Performance Standard in the agreement. Franchisees must also sign a new Renewal Franchise Agreement, which will contain materially different terms and conditions from the original. A Renewal Fee of $10,000 is required, but no additional Initial Franchise Fee. The Renewal Franchise Agreement will be provided for review at least 45 days before the current term expires.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Visiting Angels provides extensive assistance to its franchisees, both before and after opening. Pre-opening support includes consultation on office location, telephone services, computer and software selection, initial orders of printed materials, and assistance in defining Protected Territory boundaries. Visiting Angels also provides graphic designs for signs and advertising materials. Franchisees receive 26.5 hours of initial training over five days, either in-person or virtually, for up to two individuals. Post-opening assistance includes ongoing telephone and email consultation for recruiting, hiring, and training staff, client acquisition, invoicing, and payroll. Visiting Angels sends weekly electronic mail with general information on home care and offers consultation on improving business operations, accounting, and bookkeeping through three annual Regional Business Builder Meetings, other Regional Meetings, and an Annual National Conference (mandatory for the first four years, then one major meeting per year). Marketing support involves ongoing assistance with media selection and providing graphic designs and copy for advertisements and brochures, and administration of a National Cooperative Advertising Program to generate client leads, funded by franchisee contributions. There is also an optional Regional Cooperative Advertising Program. The franchisor maintains a website for the franchise system and may offer email accounts for a fee and implement a Technology Fee. Additionally, the franchisor conducts continuous research and development and provides templates for printed materials.
Initial Training Hours
26.5
Training Location
Newtown Square, PA and/or Virtual
Ongoing Support
After opening, Visiting Angels provides ongoing telephone and email consultation to assist franchisees with recruiting and training staff, client acquisition, invoicing, and payroll. Visiting Angels sends weekly electronic mail with general information on home care and offers consultation on improving business operations, accounting, and bookkeeping through three annual Regional Business Builder Meetings, other Regional Meetings, and an Annual National Conference. Franchisees are required to attend one live meeting or training event per year, with the National Conference mandatory for the first four years. Ongoing marketing assistance includes help selecting media and providing graphic designs and copy for advertisements and brochures. Visiting Angels administers a National Cooperative Advertising Program, funded by franchisee contributions, for national and regional advertising and client lead generation. There is also an optional Regional Cooperative Advertising Program. The franchisor maintains a website, conducts continuing research and development, and provides templates for printing and supplies.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Visiting Angels seeks franchisees who have a genuine concern and caring interest in elderly people and their well-being, emphasizing a mission-driven approach over solely "bottom line" orientation. Ideal candidates must demonstrate that their current life situation aligns with the factors necessary to succeed in the home caregiving industry. Prospective franchisees are required to attend a Visiting Angels Open House and must possess sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family for at least one year while the new business is developing.
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
Visiting Angels territories are defined by specific zip codes and are assigned through mutual agreement, taking into account demographics, population density, area income, marketing statistics, and competition. Territory size varies, with densely populated areas having smaller territories and remote locations having larger ones. Examples of territory sizes tied to initial franchise fees include a radius of 30 miles with a population of 100,000 or less, territories between 100,000 and 200,000 in population, and territories of 325,000 in population. The franchisor's policy is typically no more than one franchised office per 400,000 population in a protected territory, with exceptions for large geographic distances.
Staffing Notes
Visiting Angels requires that initially, if the owner operates the business full-time, no additional office employees are needed, except for caregiver staff whose numbers will vary based on client demand. All caregiver staff must be paid as employees, with taxes withheld and W-2s issued in compliance with state and federal laws. Franchisees are responsible for conducting criminal background screenings for all caregiver applicants. After the initial four years, an owner may delegate day-to-day operations to an approved manager who must also complete the training program. Visiting Angels also recommends that the business telephone is answered by a live employee during working hours (8 AM to 9 PM, 7 days a week) with a one-hour response time for client inquiries, and 'on-call' staff for after-hours calls.