Home Helpers/Direct Link

Founded: 1997 Franchising since: 1997
Home Helpers provides care and companionship services for: seniors, new moms, working parents, those recuperating from illness or injury and those needing continuing care for lifelong challenges. These services include assistance with meals, light housekeeping, transportation, errand services and much more. Services are provided by experienced caregivers in homes, retirement communities, nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and others, from one hour per day up to 24 hours per day depending on need.
Home Helpers is affiliated with Direct Link, an in-home emergency monitoring system.

10700 Montgomery Rd., #300 Cincinnati, Ohio 45242

Phone: (888)876-3144

Franchisor has 45 employee(s); 45 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	678	0	0	0
2008	745	5	0	0
2007	699	4	2	0
2006	601	3	0	0
2005	432	2	0	0

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Worldwide

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 175,000 population

Total investment: $46.2K-84.8K Franchise fee: $33.9K

Ongoing royalty fee: 4-6% Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	Yes	No
Startup Costs	No	No
Equipment	No	No
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Qualifications
Cash liquidity requirement: $20K

Operations

• Franchise can be run from home
• 18% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 1 week
• Sales & marketing boot camps throughout the year

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support

• Ad slicks
• National media
• Regional advertising

Other marketing support

• Marketing materials, promotional items, intranet

Franchise 500® rank:
#70 (2009); #73 (2008); #53 (2007); #86 (2006); #97 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2009; 2008; 2007; 2006;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#53 (2009); #44 (2008); #22 (2007); #35 (2006); #34 (2005);

Low-Cost Franchises:
#17 (2009); #18 (2008); #17 (2007); #19 (2006); #22 (2005);

Top Home Based Franchises:
#15 (2009); #16 (2008); #13 (2007); #17 (2006); #17 (2005);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#60 (2009); #78 (2008); #55 (2007); #72 (2006);