FirstLight Home Care Franchise

FirstLight HomeCare Franchising, LLC was formed in Ohio on December 7, 2009, and began offering franchises in March 2010. Founders Bernard B. Markey and William H. Stewart, Jr. have served on its board of managers since formation. The Cincinnati-based company converted to a Delaware limited liability company in December 2020, continuing as the same entity. It is a subsidiary of Cornerstone Franchise Brands, LLC, within Cornerstone Franchise Group.

Glee McAnanly has served as CEO and president since February 2021, bringing prior franchise leadership experience at ServiceMaster Brands. Mark Vanase became chief operating officer in March 2023 after leading business development and field support. The franchise system’s development centers on its Culture of Care, with common operating standards, training, caregiver processes and designated technology for local businesses.

The core service model covers hands-on personal care, companion care, dementia care and assistance with daily living. Franchisees recruit, employ and train their own caregivers. Approved services may also include supplemental staffing for institutions and electronic senior care products. Skilled nursing is a separate, conditional service expansion: an owner must have operated for at least 12 months, obtain written approval, complete HealthCare Solutions training and acceptable third-party accreditation, remain in good standing, satisfy applicable licensing requirements and sign the skilled-services amendment. Licensed professionals provide those services.

A new FirstLight business uses an approved physical office, primarily for caregiver recruitment, training and administration rather than client visits. The FDD recommends allocating a minimum of 600–800 square feet. Its startup estimate includes $66,000–$128,800 in additional funds for three to six months and excludes an owner’s draw. The standard $52,000 franchise fee is for an area of approximately 200,000 residents. Existing independent home care businesses may be considered separately for conversion; conversion terms are distinct from the new-business investment.

FirstLight’s internally developed Flight School begins with preparation on business infrastructure, licensing applications, referral networking, market development, pricing, advertising resources and recruiting. The owner or business principal and designated manager attend the initial program. Pre-course work leads into five days of hands-on training at the Cincinnati home office, covering the Culture of Care, team building, human resources, technology, sales, marketing, financial planning and client service. Post-course web conferences, learning-management coursework and launch training address recruiting and operations plans, client acquisition, caregiver orientation and field networking. Launch assistance may take place at the franchise location or remotely.

The startup budget includes a $5,000 training fee. Owners also pay attendee travel, meals, lodging and payroll costs. The owner and designated manager must complete the required training satisfactorily, and the business must open with the required trained staff. The FDD calls for at least two full-time-equivalent staff members, including the trained manager, at opening.

Before launch, FirstLight reviews the proposed business address, designates the franchise area, provides access to its operations manual and directs owners to required software and approved suppliers. The owner finds and secures the office, obtains licenses and manages staffing. A Marketing Starter Kit list identifies materials that can be ordered from the brand’s fulfillment source. The FDD estimates about 120 days between signing and opening, with timing affected by licensing, financing, hiring and training; the agreement allows termination if operations have not begun within 120 days.

After opening, FirstLight provides business consultation at a reasonable frequency through video conferences and on-site visits, along with periodic individual or group advice, marketing information and system updates. Follow-up training can be mandatory, and the owner and manager must attend at least one regional or national meeting each year. Additional tuition may be introduced, and attendance expenses remain the franchisee’s responsibility.

Technology supports scheduling, staffing, client management, accounting and internal communication. Franchisees purchase and maintain required computers, software and subscriptions, use the assigned brand email account and implement required updates. Marketing resources include approved promotional materials and the national advertising program; local marketing and referral networking remain active owner responsibilities. Direct daily supervision is provided by the owner or a franchisor-approved, trained manager who devotes full time to the business.

FirstLight Home Care offers an owner the opportunity to build a local service organization around everyday support for seniors and other adults. Its combination of personal care, companionship and dementia care creates a clear focus for caregiver recruitment, family relationships and community referral work. Flight School and the Culture of Care system give the owner a shared operating approach for training a team and managing those relationships.

The model fits someone who enjoys leading employees, organizing service delivery and developing connections in the local care community. An administrative office supports a business whose services are delivered where clients need them. For an owner prepared to stay engaged in people and operations, FirstLight provides an established franchise framework with an optional, separately approved path into skilled services as the business develops.

For further reading, explore FirstLight Home Care Franchise: Services, Training and Owner Involvement.