Franchisor Spotlight: Meet Homewatch CareGivers

FranchiseWorks presents Homewatch CareGivers, the next franchisor to be featured on our Franchisor Spotlight Series. As a leading resource for prospective entrepreneurs, FranchiseWorks is dedicated to providing information that any individual can use to find the right franchise or business opportunity for them.

The vision of Homewatch CareGivers is to be recognized as the premier provider of home care services. The mission is to preserve dignity, protect independence, and provide peace of mind for our clients and their loved ones by providing exceptional home care.



Tom Ryan, Director of Franchise Development


How has your company evolved since 1980 after Paul Sauer founded Homewatch CareGivers?

In 1980, Paul launched Homewatch CareGivers to provide people in the Denver Metro area with the companion and personal care services they needed to remain living at home.

Paul continued to refine his business and in 1994, Homewatch CareGivers added its first franchise in Boulder, Colorado. Paul and his growing staff stayed true to his founding principles and the core values he established as the foundation of the company: integrity, compassion and a commitment to delivering the highest quality service. 

By the early 2000’s, Homewatch CareGivers had a handful of locations and Paul knew he was going to have to bring in some help and reinvest in the business if he was going to truly build this into a large national and international franchise brand.   Paul’s eldest daughter, Leann Reynolds, invested in and opened our Portland, OR franchise location in 2003 as a critical step to her succession plan.  Leann very quickly became one of our top performing franchisee’s and moved back to Denver in 2006 to take over the day-to-day leadership as our company President.  When I joined the company in 2010, we had about 100 locations and here we are nearing the end of 2015 and we have nearly 250 locations throughout the America’s. 

What are some common misconceptions about home care ownership?

Many people think they need experience in the healthcare industry in order to own a senior care business. Most of our franchisees had never worked in health care before home care franchise ownership. There is no perfect background to start this type of business; we look for people with careers as leaders and managers in all types of business, who have a passion for caring for individuals in their community.

Another common misconception is that potential franchisees think the market (their market) is already too saturated by other providers/competitors. The need for home care services, through home-based initiatives driven by the Affordable Care Act, as well as by the growth of the aging population, is far outpacing the number of competitive senior care franchises nationwide. In fact, direct care workers – such as Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides – are expected to be the largest occupational segment by 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How many franchised units do you have?

We have just over 230 franchised units and are projected to grow to over 250 in 2016.

Are you available in Canada and Internationally?

We are available in Canada currently, and have 7 Canadian units in Ontario. We’re really focused right now on growth in the United States and Canada and are not entertaining international inquiries in Europe or Asia at this time. We do have master franchisees in Central America focused on increasing the footprint there.

What are some competitive advantages of your business?

We provide full-service care for people of all ages. By full-service, we mean that while we don’t cross the boundary of providing skilled nursing services, we provide a full continuum of care up to that threshold.  90% of our services go above and beyond companion care so our clients can stick with us as their care needs grow over time.  

Our clients see the value/differentiating factors of our business to be largely in the quality of our team and our approach to care. We have always believed that “caregivers are the heart of this business” and have tremendous systems and training in place to ensure our staff is responsible for the highest level care to our clients and that we don’t get stuck solely focusing the “tasks” being delivered.  At Homewatch CareGivers, we employ a person-centered approach to care by understanding the social and emotional needs of our clients.

What are the desired qualities of your ideal candidate?

We really look for business-savvy leaders who are good at managing teams, delegating tasks, and are focused on the strategic direction of their business. We also know that our most successful owners have a passion for helping others in their communities, and many have personal experience with a loved one needing extra care in the home.

What do you hope for the future of Homewatch CareGivers?

I would love to see the company grow its footprint in the United States and Canada so that we can continue to provide the in-home care services that people need in their communities. I also look forward to helping build more awareness of the home care industry itself, so that consumers and other health care providers fully understand the quality services we can provide and the impact we can make to help people stay healthy and in their homes as long as they desire.

What are ways to learn more?

We have a very robust, informational website, including a franchise blog. Once you’ve gathered some information and you’re ready to take the next step you can fill out the Request for Information form and we will contact you to begin discussions about franchise ownership. You can also reach out and give us a call at (800) 472-2290 and we can start our conversation right away!

Comfort Zones Aren't All That Comfortable

The origin of the phrase ‘comfort zone’ is a tricky one, mostly because we all have a personal definition and understanding of the term. But when it comes to performance, it’s relatively straightforward: the comfort zone is a behavioral state in which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviors to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk.

Risk is a key word here. When was the last time you took a risk? I don’t mean run over train tracks to beat the train or walk up to a salivating, growling street dog. It could be as uncomplicated as risking embarrassment at a karaoke bar or speaking up at your next business meeting. Stepping out of comfort zones don’t have to be momentous – it is simply a quick nod “yes” instead of the familiar hesitation.

Taking the plunge into unexplored zones can be liberating, enticingly mysterious and full of positive, life-changing encounters. Risk doesn’t end in just failure or embarrassment, it can be a chance for greatness and happiness. We know by now that inspiration appears in many forms. It can even lie in moments of discomfort — look for these opportunities and snatch them! Break free of the limitations you surround yourself with, sleep each night with no regrets and realize control of different situations are easier to maintain with an open perspective.

Comfort zones are self-created. We choose where the lines fall or if they even have to be there at all. Next time you find yourself hesitating, take a moment. You are a wonderful, resilient, capable, courageous individual. Allow that to show in all facets of life and live each day to its fullest!

If you want to try and measure your comfort zone, there’s a website for that. See it here.


Are you ready to get started? Perhaps it’s time for a free consultation. FranNet has a great track record of assisting individuals on their path to business ownership. Make arrangements to speak with one of our representatives today!

Did You Lower The Bar For Your Business?

You’ve done it. You successfully own a franchise or new business and the first three years have passed without too much trouble. Now 10 years…15…20, each with its own unique opportunity to keep your business perspective fresh and exciting. How do you stay motived and keep your passion thriving?

You’ve already overcome one of the hardest obstacles about business ownership, which is finding a business you find fulfilling and from which you gain a level of satisfaction. When your career matches up with your passions, it is hard to dread the workweek. Yet, that doesn’t mean you’ll wake up refreshed and ready to smell the roses at each ding of the alarm. While your emotions may fluctuate, you can’t lower the bar in your business relationship. It’s a constant give and take and your standards should remain resolute even in the roughest times.

• Realistic Goals: The world around you is rapidly changing, which means your business will be affected. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment, track your progress and celebrate the small milestones as well.

• Embrace Competition: Nothing like a good challenge to awaken the competitor within. Face it, we all like to win and a little healthy competition will encourage you to innovate and explore. Lacking in competition? That’s great! Challenge yourself. Let your friends and coworkers speak their mind and keep your business from becoming stale one way or another.

• Your Business is a Result of Your Efforts: That’s right. Your intentions, actions, efforts will show in your business. It is ideally an extension of you, after all. Make sure you put your best foot forward, or the lack of motivation will start to show in your work.

• Self Mastery: Continue to use the courage that got you to this point to achieve your dreams. Fear, if left unmanaged, will slowly deteriorate your business. Protect your future with courage and self-belief. Master your fears and always say you can do better. In turn, appreciate what you have accomplished and forgive your mistakes.

The bar, so to speak, is never set. It will be reached and repositioned, but only if you’re pushing professional (and personal!) boundaries. Always defy your limits and keep your passions alive.

Do you feel that you’re ready to get started? Let FranNet connect you with the business you’ve been looking for. Ask us about a free consultation. Our purpose is to connect the dots and make the transition from corporate employment to the freedom of business ownership manageable and safe.

Consider the Legal and Financial Aspects of Owning a Franchise

As with any major investment, the best decision can be made only if you’re as informed as possible. You need to spend a good deal of time researching, interviewing and exploring your options -- and a part of the process is determining what the legal and financial aspects are.

As your focus gets more serious with the idea of owning your own franchise, you need to genuinely look at your financials and propose a budget with which you feel comfortable. Research the many options you have, like the Self-Directed 401K option or loans. Financing a franchise may be considered a lower risk investment, mostly because franchises have proven track records and an established trademark and brand. That being said, it is still crucial that you prepare an in-depth business plan and explore a range of options so you commit to the one that makes the most sense for your budget.

The two main documents you must be aware of are the Franchise Disclosure Document (or FDD) and the Franchise Agreement. The FDD provides prospective franchisees with specific information about the franchisor, the franchise system and the agreements that lead to an informed decision. The law requires franchisors to show you the FDD before any franchise is sold. The Franchise Agreement goes into a little different detail than the FDD, specifically on the relationship between the franchisee and the franchisor.

There are various matters that need to be observed in your decision, which is why FranNet suggests you seek the advice of an experienced franchise attorney and financial advisor. They will help you decide the appropriate investigations for any franchise you are interested in and will offer exposure for the legal documentation that will be used to implement the transaction.

Are you ready to get started? Perhaps it’s time for a free consultation . FranNet has a great track record of assisting individuals on their path to business ownership. Make arrangements to speak with one of our representatives today!