Caring Transitions Franchise

Caring Transitions began franchising in 2006. Its original franchisor, C.T. Franchising Systems, Inc., was incorporated in Ohio on April 20, 2006 to sell and support estate and household liquidation and moving-management franchises. A separate company, DMGI, Inc., owned by the same individuals who founded Caring Transitions, operated a similar business from June 2006 through December 2007. The FDD distinguishes that early business from the franchisor, which has not itself operated a Caring Transitions franchise.

The company’s corporate structure changed in 2026. On May 27, the Ohio corporation converted into C.T. Franchising Systems, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. On May 29, CTFS Buyer, LLC acquired its membership interests and became its parent. The buyer is controlled by investment funds managed by Ridgemont Equity Management IV, LLC. These developments are documented in the April 1, 2026 FDD as amended September 2, 2026.

The amended disclosure identifies Joe Lewandowski as President since November 2025, following earlier operations leadership roles dating to 2017. James Stapleton has led franchise development since June 2019; Sherrie Henderson became Vice President of Operations in November 2025 after earlier business-development and franchise-coaching roles; Kyle Kosco has been Vice President of Marketing since September 2023.

The business serves people managing estate assets, household belongings and relocations, including families helping older relatives move or downsize and administrators handling an estate. Services include estate and household liquidation, transition services and moving management, with CTBids supporting online auctions. Moving services themselves require franchisor approval, legal qualifications and suitable insurance. Item 20 reports 413 franchised outlets and no company-owned outlets at the end of 2025; that is a dated system count, not a current-location claim.

The amended FDD estimates an initial investment of $75,860–$123,250 for the base territory and a $58,900 initial franchise fee for a territory containing 175,000–200,000 people. Larger territories add $500 for each whole or partial 1,000 people above 200,000. The franchisor does not offer direct or indirect financing. The Winner’s Circle addendum describes conditional franchise-fee rebates across a five-year period; it does not promise every owner a full fee refund within two years.

Preparation and initial training

After signing and paying the initial franchise fee, first-time owners begin an at-home Onboarding Program. It includes reviewing the operations manual, researching local advertising, preparing a business plan, forming the operating entity, arranging insurance and a business bank account, securing financing if needed, and scheduling training. Caring Transitions provides instructions, guidelines and telephone support during this phase. Digital operating resources and reporting forms are provided through the franchisee intranet.

Item 11 provides initial training for up to two people at the Cincinnati, Ohio headquarters, with no additional initial-training tuition. The owner or designated person responsible for oversight and management must begin within 90 days of signing and complete the program satisfactorily. The curriculum lists 35 classroom hours and zero on-the-job hours for this headquarters phase: eight hours each on the business model and technology, five on financial management, three each on employee management and marketing, seven on launch planning and one on the business-plan presentation. The franchisor may extend training or require online delivery. Programs are described as generally monthly, subject to demand, with the opening discussion referring to schedules every four to six weeks.

Within 90 days after completing that program, owners must attend five days of on-site training at a regional location with an experienced franchise owner. There is no attendance fee for this regional training, but trainees pay their own expenses. Initial travel, lodging, food and employee compensation are also the owner’s responsibility; Item 7 estimates $2,000–$4,000 for training-related travel and living expenses. Separate professional certification obligations apply: the FDD describes approximately 18 hours of online Certified Relocation Transition Specialist training and a test, with stated training and test prices of $650 and $450. Item 7’s broader certification allowance is $650–$3,000; these figures describe different components and should not be combined into one guaranteed training price.

Opening, staffing and operating responsibilities

Owners select their operating premises and handle licensing, insurance, equipment and staffing. An office in the owner’s home is permitted subject to territory, zoning and other requirements; rented office or warehouse space is another option. The FDD’s provisions for a home outside the territory differ between a separate in-territory office and an in-territory business address, so an unrestricted home-based arrangement is not promised. Typical opening time is two to six months after signing, while the contractual opening deadline is 90 days after initial training. Owners must hire a salesperson within 90 days of attending training, primarily dedicated to promoting the business for at least 15 hours a week.

Personal owner supervision is recommended rather than universally required. Each business must have an approved, trained manager; the agreement requires the owner or designated operating person to devote full time, energy and efforts to managing the business. Additional businesses each need a full-time manager. Owners hire, train and supervise their own employees, maintain required insurance and obtain any applicable auction, moving or other operating licenses.

Continuing guidance and technology

Continuing assistance may be delivered by telephone, email, office visits and web-based programs to the extent the franchisor considers necessary. Office visits are discretionary, with travel reimbursement possible. Required refresher courses or additional training may carry fees and owner-paid expenses. Owners must attend meetings designated mandatory, including national meetings; the current disclosed registration fee is approximately $899 per person, with travel and lodging extra and a fee also chargeable for missing a required meeting. Item 6 separately lists $650–$3,000 annually for professional-certification continuing education and a required $250 financial-education presentation within six months of signing.

The technology requirements include an approved computer system, accounting and reporting software, access to the franchisee intranet and CTBids tools, a mobile device and an approved call-center arrangement. Owners purchase and maintain the equipment and required services. The disclosed technology/software fee is $250 monthly, web hosting $100 monthly and call-center service $100–$500 monthly depending on use. These services are not described as free tools. Hardware cost estimates differ between Items 7 and 11; the final equipment budget should follow the applicable specifications.

Marketing resources and local development

Owners receive access to approved digital advertisements, layouts, images and business-card templates. Their own advertising requires prior approval. The National Branding Fund can support promotional resources and national-account solicitation, but it does not guarantee advertising expenditure or customer leads in an individual territory. The disclosed fund contribution is 2% of monthly Gross Receipts or $350, whichever is greater. Local marketing requires at least $399 monthly with a designated supplier during the first 12 operating months, followed by at least 4% of Gross Receipts annually. Owners develop their own client and referral relationships alongside these resources.

Caring Transitions suits an owner who enjoys combining practical project management with attentive service. The work brings together household organization, estate and online sales, relocation planning and coordination with families and professional referral sources. That mix gives an entrepreneur several related ways to help a client manage one significant transition, rather than treating every task as an isolated service.

The franchise pairs that local work with a defined service model, headquarters and regional training, operating resources and CTBids auction tools. Its appeal is especially clear for someone who likes building a team, following through on details and earning trust through responsive communication. Ownership remains an operating and business-development commitment: the owner or an approved manager leads the work, while the local team develops relationships and delivers the service.

Explore the operating model in Caring Transitions: Senior Relocation, Estate Sales and Franchise Ownership.