Here's Why This Urgent Care Franchise Jumped 20+ Spots on This Year's Franchise 500 American Family Care has seen its unit growth surge more than 70% over the last three years.

American Family Care was founded in 1982 in Birmingham, Ala, providing patients with non-emergency medical attention without the need to visit a hospital emergency room. The concept took off and the brand began franchising in 2008. Since then, American Family Care has become a leading provider of urgent care across the United States.

And so, it's little surprise that this brand lands at #47 on this year's Franchise 500 list, up 24 spots from #71 last year. "We are the only national urgent care franchise brand that allows non-healthcare providers to be involved in healthcare at the unit level," says Paige Robinson Dosch, VP of Franchise Development at American Family Care. "We also welcome healthcare providers with an entrepreneurial spirit that are looking for a model that couples their expertise in healthcare with business."

When Entrepreneur evaluates franchises for the Franchise 500, we look at more than 150 data points—including very visible ones like size and growth, but we also take a holistic view of the business, the industry it operates in, and the opportunities available to prospective franchisees. That includes things like franchisee support and training, brand strength and marketing, and more.

American Family Care has 293 franchises in the U.S.—an increase of more than 70% over the last three years. It opened nearly 40 new locations in 2024 alone, Dosch says.

With consistent and strong unit growth, minimal closures, and strong financials, the brand ranks in the top 10% of companies on the 2025 Franchise 500 for size and growth.

Engaging with patients with a focus on continued growth

One thing American Family Care franchisees are excited about is the brand's recent implementation of a new patient engagement platform powered by Solv Health, a service that allows patients to book same-day in-person and virtual appointments with nearby healthcare providers via a mobile app.

"Just like you can book a table on OpenTable or Resy, you can now save your spot online at our centers with Solv," Dosch explains. "The patient is prompted to register online, know exactly when it's time to come inside, and much of their initial information can be gathered via the app. … It reduces their time in the waiting room and door to door time. It's a total game changer."

Dosch says American Family Care's overarching goal is to make its service even more seamless and efficient for the patients that they serve. "Those efficiencies also help our providers and staff, and drive improve their satisfaction," she says. "Medicine can be slow to change. It is our goal to make our service as easy and painless as possible, driven by exceptional care and ease of use."

While the brand is busy improving convenience, affordability, and quality care for patients, it says it is equally focused on doing the same for its franchisees with top-notch marketing, research, and development support.

"We are especially well positioned to continue to grow, as we offer a convenient, affordable, and accessible entry point into the healthcare system for our patients," Dosch says. "Our strategy is to continue to grow with our existing franchisees, and to bring on new franchise owners in the markets where we choose to compete."

Click here to learn more about American Family Care and its exciting franchise opportunities.