What Franchise - Issue 21.2

As investors look for businesses with purpose as well as performance, care franchising stands out. Across residential and domiciliary models, it offers long-term demand, structured support and the chance to make a genuine difference A FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY BUILT TO LAST spending, which gives our sector a level of resilience that many industries do not enjoy.” Franchising support That resilience, however, doesn’t mean the sector is without pressure.Workforce shortages, rising operating costs and increasingly complex regulatory expectations all demand strong leadership and robust systems. This is where franchising comes into its own. “Right at Home franchise owners operate with the confidence that they are backed by proven processes, sector expertise and a national reputation for quality,” says Campbell. “This combination of essential demand and structured ncertainty has become part of the furniture for anyone making business decisions. Rising costs, shifting consumer behaviour and an unpredictable economic outlook have left many would‑be franchisees pausing to reassess what they really want from an investment. For some, that means looking beyond fast growth or short‑term returns, and towards sectors that offer something more durable, and more meaningful. Enduring demand It’s in that context that care has moved into sharper focus. Across both residential and domiciliary models, demand isn’t shaped by consumer confidence or changing spending habits, but by everyday human need. Families still require support. Older and vulnerable people still rely on consistent, high‑quality care. Communities still depend on providers they trust.Whether delivered in someone’s home or within a residential setting, care doesn’t dip with economic cycles – it endures. “Demand for high-quality home care is accelerating at a pace the country is not structurally prepared for,” says Jonathan Sabater, COO of CareYourWay. “By 2040, it is expected that 1.4 million people in the UK will be diagnosed with dementia. The over-65 population is rising sharply, and pressure on the NHS is already at historic levels. Those factors combined make social care one of the most resilient, strategically important and future-proof industries in the country.” “For our franchise partners, that creates an unusual opportunity: the ability to build a commercially secure business while doing deeply meaningful work that the nation increasingly depends on.” “The UK’s need for high-quality home care remains consistent, even in periods of economic uncertainty,” adds Lucy Campbell, CEO of Right At Home. “Families make care decisions based on necessity rather than discretionary U C A R E : 34 WHAT FRANCHISE Issue 21.2