Thinking of buying a care franchise? Ask these 5 questions

Join the Fastest Growing Care Franchise in the UK

Our business has not only survived COVID-19, it has thrived. And we’ve supported hundreds of people along the way. Recession proof and pandemic proof, we are now at the 60+ Territory mark in just 5 years.

We're not just another franchise opportunity—we're a trailblazing brand that has redefined the home care experience. Our mission? To put carers at the forefront, revolutionizing the way care is delivered and creating a remarkable support network for our franchisees.

Achievements

Network of 800 franchisees across the globe
With 60+ franchisees across the nation, our network is the homecare franchise in the UK with the quickest rate of expansion.
40% is the average personnel turnover rate for the sector. Our turnover rate is a meagre 12% at Visiting Angels
First UK office delivering over 1200 hours of care a week
Carer applications at an all-time high
Nationwide recognition and demand for our essential services.

The opportunity in the market

The care sector has always been a growing market, and it always will be. The coronavirus pandemic has further added to both the need, and the opportunity, for a business like ours. Society continues to change its view on the type of care that individuals and loved ones should receive; the feeling being that people are safer at home. As such, demand for the Visiting Angels service is set to keep rising, now, and into the future.

31% of people now say they are less likely to want relatives to be put in care homes^*

^{*research conducted by Hanbury Strategy, with support from the charity Independent Age in April/May 2020}

Care has always been big business. Outside of the current situation, increased life expectancy, better living conditions and pharmaceutical advancements mean people are living far longer.

1.9 million people in the UK are over the age of 85
By 2024, more than 20% of the population will be aged 65+
A staggering 2.5 million people in the UK will be over 85 by 2035.

Whilst increased life expectancy is to be celebrated, old age brings with it a plethora of complications to health and wellbeing. Calling on the services of a care company is no longer a last resort, it’s a necessity.

The P-word

Profit isn’t a dirty word. It’s okay to want to make money in the care sector. At Visiting Angels, we trust that you want to make a difference too. We’re confident that if you follow our model and employ our values you can replicate our results.

Six figure turnover by the end of year one.
£1million turnover in year three.
Net operating profit of between 15% and 20%.

The low-down on Visiting Angels

Established 1998 in the US.
800+ franchisees operating in five countries.
Global care giant with community-based values.
Launched in the UK in 2017.
First UK office won ‘Best International Franchise’ in under 12 months.
Our commitment to our Mission has earned us recognition as at the Disruptive Franchise Awards 2023 as the winner of the Social Impact Franchisee of the Year award and MD Dan Archer as the finalist of the Disruptive Franchisor of the Year.
Honoured as a finalist at the Stars of Social Care Awards in 2023 for the Outstanding Home Care Provider Award.
Support 18,000+ clients and provide work to 20,000+ caregivers worldwide.

A care franchise. Done differently.

We’ve achieved global success by doing things differently: we put our carers first, with great rates of pay and work-related benefits so they can achieve real work-life balance. Something we call being carer-centric. Why? Because only happy, loyal carers can give their all to clients. Many companies say they put their carers at the heart of their business, very few actually do it.

It’s no secret that carer recruitment and retention is an issue for UK companies. After 20 years, we know how to attract the right people and, crucially, keep them. Our staff turnover rate is already less than half the UK average.

Training, mentoring and support for life

Setting up a care business is a complex process. That’s why we’re with you every step of the way. And this is where our international size and scale really comes into its own. You will actively engage in a four-day virtual training session with the International Franchise Support team based at the US Head Office. Each session will be led by a team member who specialises in that business discipline, plus a week at our UK Head Office. We provide regular, ongoing training for the life of your franchise. A combination of e-learning, live webinars, group and one-to-one sessions provide a comprehensive programme, designed to help you to be the best business owner you can be.

Pre-launch support: prior to launching your business, our expert team will guide you through essential set-up tasks like CQC registration, locating suitable premises and recruiting your Registered Manager. We focus on marketing and networking at this stage too.

12-week jump-start programme: upon launch, this intensive programme helps you get the best possible start.

Business support programme: we pledge to support you from day one, but most importantly, we’ll continue to support you for the life of your business.

Join the movement!

We are proudly different, proudly carer-centric and proudly changing the lives of our franchisees, carers and clients. So, if you:

Love the idea of owning a care business that does things differently.
Want to be the most humble person in the business and make your caregivers the most important people.
Want to build a loyal team through respect, reward and recognition
Believe that happy careworkers will deliver the very best service and support to clients.
Know that profit isn’t a dirty word but want to make a difference too
Want to help change the care industry, for good…

…then you sound like a Visiting Angels kind of person. And we’d love to hear from you

Thinking of buying a care franchise? Ask these 5 questions

July 13, 2026

With demand for home care continuing to rise across the UK, more entrepreneurs are exploring franchising as a route into the sector.

But according to five Visiting Angels franchisees, choosing the right franchise brand requires far more than simply comparing costs and territories.

Drawing on their own experiences of building successful care businesses, franchisees from across the Visiting Angels network have shared the questions they believe every prospective franchisee should ask before making an investment.

Their answers cover everything from recruitment and compliance to technology and local autonomy, while also highlighting the importance of finding a franchise whose values align with your own.

Question 1: What technology and systems are provided to support scheduling, compliance and communication with families?

Technology is the backbone of any modern care business, helping providers manage care delivery, workforce scheduling, compliance and client communication. But prospective franchisees should look beyond the software itself and understand how those systems will support growth.

"The support around technology has been hugely valuable in helping us build a business that can grow sustainably. What's particularly powerful is the ability to learn from the wider franchise network,” said Darryl Lahner, owner of Visiting Angels North Kent.

"Whether it's care management systems, accounting software or secure communication platforms, there’s a huge amount of shared knowledge available. It means you're not starting from scratch and can implement processes that are designed to scale as your business grows. So, when you’re shortlisting care franchises, delve into the technology stack and ask existing franchisees what their experience has been."

Question 2: How will this franchise help me recruit and retain carers?

Recruitment remains one of the biggest challenges facing the care sector. However, successful providers know that attracting great people is only half the battle. Retaining them is equally important.

Lynn James, owner of Visiting Angels North Surrey, believes prospective franchisees should pay close attention to how a franchisor treats its workforce.

"Recruitment and retention isn't rocket science, but it needs to be authentic. From the very first application, carers need to feel respected, valued and supported. The reason Visiting Angels stands out is because carer-centricity runs through the entire organisation. When caregivers feel genuinely appreciated, they stay longer, build stronger relationships with clients and help create a positive culture that attracts others."

Question 3: How prepared is the franchise model for future changes in social care regulation?

The care sector operates within an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Franchisees should understand how they will be supported as legislation, compliance requirements and best practice continue to evolve.

Andrew Murray, owner of Visiting Angels South Middlesex, works with his Operations & Quality Assurance Manager Ashley Bailey, who believes this is one of the most important questions prospective franchisees can ask.

"Social care is constantly evolving, so it's essential to understand how a franchise will help you stay ahead of changes rather than simply reacting to them,” said Ashley.

"One of the things we value most is the proactive support available through the franchise support team. Regular guidance, policy updates, webinars and compliance support give branches confidence that they're prepared not only for today's regulations but also for future developments within the sector."

Question 4: What makes this franchise different in a crowded home care market?

With hundreds of care providers operating across the UK, understanding what truly differentiates a franchise brand is critical.

For Roderick Petty and Dawn Zuill, owners of Visiting Angels South Devon, the answer comes back to people.

"What makes Visiting Angels different is actually very simple. It genuinely begins with caring for your team. Many care providers are operating under increasing pressure, but Visiting Angels takes a different approach. By putting carers first, we create an environment where people feel valued, stay longer and build meaningful relationships with clients.

“For us, home care is not a checklist of tasks to be completed in record time. It’s about truly knowing our clients and fully supporting our carers, so they can focus on each client’s goals, independence, dignity and routines, helping them live the best life possible in the place they most want to be: their own home.

"We believe we're in the relationship business first and the care business second. When relationships are strong, better care naturally follows."

Question 5: How much autonomy will I have to build a care business that reflects my local community?

One of the biggest concerns for prospective franchisees is whether they will have the freedom to shape their business around local needs.

Pooja Patel, owner of Visiting Angels North Hertfordshire, says finding the right balance between structure and independence is essential.

“You benefit from a proven framework and trusted brand while still having the freedom to adapt your service to your local community. In North Hertfordshire, where there’s a diverse mix of cultures, languages and expectations around care, this flexibility allows us to adapt - from inclusive recruitment to delivering care that feels personal and respectful.

“It also enables us to respond beyond traditional care, through initiatives like our CPR outreach. It's an initiative that's very personal to me, as my dad died from a sudden heart attack at just 36. We teach CPR to members of the public using our resuscitation dummy at community events, helping equip people with lifesaving skills while raising funds for the British Heart Foundation.”

Dan Archer, UK CEO of Visiting Angels, said: "The care sector presents an incredible opportunity for people who want to build a successful business while making a genuine difference in their community.

"But choosing the right franchise as your partner is about much more than the initial investment. Our franchisees have shared the questions they believe matter most because they've experienced first-hand the difference those factors can make."

Visiting Angels Success Stories