Right at Home startup costs run $128K–$210K for a senior in-home care territory. One of the largest home care franchise networks in the US with 700+ locations, offering both non-medical companion care and skilled nursing care through RN-supervised programs — a differentiator from single-service non-medical-only home care franchises.
Right At Home franchise costs at a glance
Total investment
$128,000–$210,000
Franchise fee
$49,500
Royalty
5%
Net worth required
$50,000
Source: Right At Home Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) · as of 2026-05-06. Figures vary by market and site; verify against the current FDD before signing.
Key takeaways
Total estimated startup cost: $128K–$210K (senior in-home care — office-based, no facility required)
Franchise fee: $49,500
Ongoing royalty: 5% of gross revenue
Offers both non-medical companion care AND skilled nursing services (RN-supervised) — dual-service model
700+ US locations; aging-population demographic tailwind
SBA Franchise Directory listed — qualifies for SBA 7(a) financing
Right at Home franchisees operate from a leased office, recruiting, training, and managing a team of caregivers and — for skilled nursing services — RN-supervised staff. Core services include companionship, personal care (bathing, grooming, dressing, mobility assistance), meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and transportation — supplemented by skilled nursing services for clients with clinical care needs. The dual-service capability enables franchisees to serve a wider range of client acuity levels and capture clients who graduate from companion care to skilled nursing needs over time without changing providers. Corporate provides the CarePath care management platform, training through Right at Home University, national marketing support, and ongoing operational coaching. The aging US population — particularly the 73+ million Baby Boomers — provides a long-term structural demand tailwind for home care services.
2 Total startup investment (FDD via FTC 16 CFR Part 436)
Per Right at Home's current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), required under the FTC Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436), total estimated initial investment runs $128,000–$210,000. Key cost categories include:
Initial franchise fee: $49,500
Office lease, security deposit, and setup: $5,000–$25,000
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment: $3,000–$10,000
Technology systems (CarePath platform, scheduling, CRM): $3,000–$8,000
Signage and branding materials: $2,000–$8,000
Pre-opening training and travel: $3,000–$8,000
Grand opening marketing and local advertising: $5,000–$20,000
Insurance (general liability, professional liability, workers' comp): $5,000–$15,000
Licenses, permits, and state home care agency registration: $3,000–$12,000
Working capital reserve (first 6 months of operations): $50,000–$90,000
3 Ongoing fees
Right at Home charges an ongoing royalty of 5% of gross revenue as disclosed in the FDD. National marketing fund contributions apply as detailed in FDD Item 6. For franchisees operating skilled nursing programs, RN supervisor costs are an additional operational expense that non-medical-only franchises do not carry — but the expanded service scope supports higher revenue per client. Review the current FDD for complete fee schedules.
4 Financing options
Right at Home is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan eligibility. Common financing paths include:
SBA 7(a) loan: Covers the franchise fee, office setup, technology, marketing, and working capital. The $128K–$210K total range is well within 7(a) parameters for a service-sector franchise.
SBA Microloan: For franchisees at the lower end of the investment range, SBA Microloan intermediaries offer up to $50K to supplement personal capital.
Business line of credit: A revolving working capital facility to manage payroll for caregivers ahead of client billing cycles — cash-flow timing is a common early-stage challenge in home care.
Equipment financing: Office technology, computers, and scheduling systems can be financed separately as equipment loans.
5 ROI timeline
Right at Home territories typically build client volume over 12–24 months as referral relationships develop with hospital discharge planners, senior living communities, and physicians. Home care is a referral-intensive business — the primary sales activity is establishing and maintaining relationships with case managers, social workers, and healthcare providers who connect clients with home care services. Recurring care relationships mean that once a client is established, they typically generate steady weekly or monthly revenue for extended periods. The dual-service model's expanded acuity range enables Right at Home franchisees to capture higher-revenue skilled nursing clients, improving the revenue-per-client economics versus companion-only models. Most franchisees reach breakeven within 18–30 months.
6 Who's a good fit
Right at Home is well suited for operators with a background in healthcare, social work, senior services, or business management. Clinical experience is not required — the RN-supervised skilled nursing component uses licensed staff — but comfort with healthcare environments and a genuine commitment to senior care quality are important. Strong relationship-building and people management skills are critical: the franchise success depends on recruiting and retaining high-quality caregivers and on building referral relationships with healthcare providers. Operators who thrive in a community-facing, service-oriented business with recurring client relationships tend to perform well in this model.
7 What lenders look for in a Right at Home franchise application
Right at Home is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory. At $128K–$210K, the investment falls within SBA 7(a) Express territory (under $500K threshold) — which offers faster processing and is well suited for office-based, no-facility-required franchise startups. Key underwriting factors lenders evaluate under SBA SOP 50 10 8:
DSCR 1.25×+ with ramp documentation: In-home care franchises ramp over 6–18 months as caregiver recruiting and client referral networks build. Lenders require a working capital reserve (Right at Home FDD: $25K–$75K) to fund operating costs through the pre-profitability ramp — the DSCR pro forma typically excludes the ramp period and models steady-state revenue once the client base stabilizes.
Equity injection 10–15%: At the $128K–$210K investment level, SBA Express requires a minimum 10% equity injection ($12.8K–$21K). Lenders with home care franchise experience often accept the lower end because the asset-light model (no facility required) reduces lender risk vs. higher-investment brick-and-mortar franchises.
State home care agency license as disbursement condition: Most states require a home care agency license or registration before operations begin. SBA lenders often make license approval a condition of loan disbursement — operators should research state-specific timelines (30 days to 6+ months) early in the process.
Caregiver payroll float documentation: Right at Home franchisees pay caregivers weekly or bi-weekly before receiving client payment. Lenders review the working capital structure to confirm it covers 45–60 days of payroll float without creating a cash-flow gap — this is the primary operating risk lenders stress-test in home care franchise underwriting.
Personal financial statement + net worth: Right at Home approval benchmarks are lower than high-investment QSR franchises — operators with $150K+ net worth and $50K+ liquid capital typically meet both franchisor and lender thresholds at this investment level.
8 Apply at ClearValue Lending
ClearValue Lending works with senior care franchise operators on SBA and working capital financing for startup and expansion. Start at small business financing or apply at Find my match. Your file routes to the funding partners best matched to your file.
Sources
Right at Home is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan eligibility. — SBA Franchise Directory
SBA 7(a) loans finance senior in-home care franchise startup costs including franchise fees, office setup, technology, working capital, and caregiver payroll ramp. — SBA 7(a) Loan Program
The Fed Small Business Credit Survey finds bank loans and SBA-guaranteed financing remain the primary credit sources home care and senior services small employer firms use to fund startup and build-out costs at this investment tier. — Federal Reserve — Small Business Credit Survey
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Right at Home franchise cost in 2026?
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs $128,000–$210,000. The initial franchise fee is $49,500. The primary cost drivers are the franchise fee, working capital for the initial ramp period, office lease and setup, and insurance.
What makes Right at Home different from other home care franchises?
Right at Home offers both non-medical companion and personal care services AND skilled nursing care through RN-supervised programs. Most competing home care franchises focus exclusively on non-medical services. The dual-service model expands the addressable client base to include clients with clinical care needs, supporting higher revenue per client and the ability to retain clients as their care needs increase.
What licenses are required to operate a Right at Home franchise?
Home care licensing requirements vary by state. Most states require a home care agency license or home health agency license. Some states require an RN on staff or as a supervisor for skilled care services. Licensing timelines range from 30 days to 6+ months depending on the state — franchisees should research state-specific requirements early in the development process.
Is Right at Home SBA-eligible?
Yes. Right at Home is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory. SBA 7(a) lenders can process applications for this franchise system under the streamlined franchise eligibility process.
What DSCR do SBA lenders require for a Right at Home franchise?
SBA SOP 50 10 8 requires a global DSCR of 1.25× — projected net operating income covers annual debt service by 125%. For in-home care franchises, lenders model steady-state revenue (once the caregiver and client base is established, typically 12–18 months post-opening) rather than projecting from day one. The working capital reserve in the loan covers the pre-profitability ramp, and the DSCR test applies to stabilized cash flow. Operators should document their caregiver recruiting plan and referral relationships (hospital discharge planners, senior centers, VA contacts) as supporting evidence for the revenue pro forma.
How much equity injection is needed for a Right at Home SBA loan?
SBA Express (the natural fit for Right at Home's $128K–$210K investment) requires a minimum 10% equity injection — as low as $12.8K–$21K out of pocket. Lenders with in-home care franchise experience often accept the minimum because the asset-light model (no facility, no specialized equipment) reduces collateral risk. The primary collateral for an SBA Express at this level is personal guaranty from all 20%+ owners — the franchise agreement itself is typically pledged as a general intangible.
Summary:
Right at Home startup costs run $128K–$210K for a senior in-home care territory. One of the largest home care franchise networks in the US with 700+ locations, offering both non-medical companion care and skilled nursing care through RN-supervised programs — a differentiator from single-service non-medical-only home care franchises.
This article is for educational purposes and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Rates,
fees, qualification requirements, and product availability are illustrative ranges that vary
by lender, market conditions, and individual business profile. ClearValue Lending is a
funding platform; all financing is subject to lender partner approval and terms. Always read
your contract end-to-end and verify specific numbers before signing.
