When it comes to the world of senior care, Caring Transitions distinguishes itself from the crowd as the nation’s largest franchising concept specializing in senior relocation and transition services. Beyond the regular senior assistance franchises, Caring Transitions offers a comprehensive package of downsizing, relocation, decluttering and estate sales services — all under one umbrella. As the franchise continues to gain momentum in the sector, its unique business model and unwavering commitment to making a difference in people's lives are gaining recognition.
“A lot of people think we offer in-home health care, like medical care for seniors at home , but the service we provide is actually something that every single person will deal with at least once in their life,” said Vice President of Franchise Development James Stapleton. “The move from one’s home to a care facility can be jarring at best and traumatic at worst, and traditional moving companies do little to ease the burden on seniors and their families. At some point, you are going to need to downsize, and we are the stress-free solution that families are looking for.”
One of the biggest advantages of joining the Caring Transitions system is the brand’s unparalleled size within the marketplace. "We are the largest provider of this service,” said Stapleton. “We have over 300 locations across the U.S., and we're aiming to have 500 in the next few years. There is no national competitor as big.”
And the Caring Transitions franchise, which was recently recognized as one of Entrepreneur's Fastest Growing Franchises, shows no signs of slowing down. As the footprint grows, incoming franchisees have even more opportunity to build partnerships with other franchise owners nationwide.
“We are growing exponentially, selling 50 to 60 franchises this year,” Stapleton said. “If someone is moving from New York to California, we want to have one Caring Transitions franchisee pack them up and another franchisee resettle them. That is really the goal, and we have plenty of open territories available for franchise development.”
Caring Transitions has identified these states as priorities for franchise development: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Vermont.
While other franchises only handle certain aspects of what seniors need during relocation, Caring Transitions franchisees can tap into multiple profit centers and customizable client solutions that allow them to scale their business, increase profitability and satisfy the growing demand for senior care services. Profit centers include on-site and online liquidation/estate sales, relocation/re-settling services, declutter and downsizing services and residential clean-out services.
“We can help you get mom through all those stages of stress and take it off your shoulders,” said Stapleton. “The adult children are the ones left to deal with the house after mom moves out. They have their own family and career to take care of, and they can’t spend every day off coming into the house to clean it out. They want to expedite everything so they can get it done as fast as possible. The senior, on the other hand, doesn’t want to be moved somewhere strange outside their routine and watch all of their belongings be sold. We are able to take care of both parties because we offer so many services.”
Caring Transitions helps seniors relocate by spending time at their homes, helping them pack and organize their belongings, then moving those belongings to the new home and setting them up in a way that feels comfortable and familiar.
In addition to helping seniors actually transition, Caring Transitions has become a popular service in the estate sales and auction spaces thanks to its proprietary online sales platform CT Bids. More often than not, when seniors relocate, they choose to get rid of some of their belongings. Caring Transitions helps families host estate sales to easily and profitably sell those items.
“We take care of the whole progression from moving mom out, liquidating as fast as we can and then cleaning the home out so it can be put on the market,” said Stapelton. “We can also really customize a proposal based on what seniors and their families need. This robust suite of services not only gives franchisees access to more revenue, but also grants them more autonomy as they don’t have to worry about hard selling one specific service.”
When it comes to the business model, Caring Transitions offers an affordable, low-overhead, home-based concept to help franchisees keep costs low and profit potential high. And unlike many franchisors that have strict guidelines, Caring Transitions values its franchisees' autonomy, letting them define their level of success.
“We are flexible around whatever someone wants out of the business,” said Stapleton. “We don’t tell our franchisees what we need from them — we ask them what they want. We will identify their goals and help them come up with a plan. We have a model for those who want to start small or those who want to build an empire. That really separates us from a lot of franchises out there.”
This flexibility is aided by Caring Transitions’ unique employment structure within the burgeoning senior care industry. Since the franchise doesn’t focus on providing complex medical care, its typical employees include retirees and stay-at-home parents, not CNAs or nurses. This ensures franchisees can avoid the daunting and expensive red tape involved in providing medical care, while also providing community members with flexible and rewarding work opportunities.
Backed by parent company Strategic Franchising Systems, the Caring Transitions support systems also enhance its attractiveness for potential franchisees. With proven operating, marketing, coaching and technology systems, the Caring Transitions team is dedicated to providing franchisees with all of the support, training and resources they need to thrive in their market. Caring Transitions franchise owners will work with two dedicated business coaches, who will walk them through the start of their franchise journey to help them master the operations of the business. Franchisees will also participate in The Strategic Business Owner program, which helps them hone their skills so they can maximize their success, as well as their work-life balance and freedom.
When it comes to finding clients, Caring Transitions offers a two-pronged approach for acquisition, employing both a robust online presence and a grassroots marketing campaign. This method allows for a steady flow of leads and a proactive approach to community engagement.
“The need for something like this is very reactive,” said Stapleton. “Our crew can come in and help something that on average takes nine months, but for us only takes a week or two because of the processes and procedures in place.”
Overall, Caring Transitions franchisees aren’t just sitting around waiting for the phone to ring, Stapleton says. As long as they put in the work, they can expect a steady flow of leads from day one.
At the end of the day, while there are many advantages of the business model and support infrastructure, the Caring Transitions franchise is about more than just making money, Stapleton says. A 2020 study identified the most stressful life event as moving, exceeding divorce and getting married. As the nation’s only total-solutions provider for families needing compassionate care during life’s challenging transitions, Caring Transitions franchisees can make a real difference for seniors and families.
"We make an impact on family’s lives, that is what we do,” he said. “It is an industry that is always going to be here. We are the leaders. We are carving the path to be a much-needed resource for our clients. It is so much more than the service itself. When we ask our owners what they love most about the franchise, so many of them talk about the emotional experiences they have had helping clients and their families.”
As the silver tsunami continues to surge, Caring Transitions provides a unique investment opportunity within a booming industry. With its distinct business model, multi-faceted revenue sources and genuine care for the people it serves, this franchise stands out as a trailblazer in senior care. The company's robust support system and dedication to its franchisees' success further solidify its position as a leader in the field, making it an irresistible proposition for those looking to make a significant difference in people's lives.
To learn more about franchising with Caring Transitions, visit caringtransitionsfranchise.com/get-started-here.