Nine months after its private equity buyout, the senior care franchisor has sold 33 deals and is betting on referral data and dementia care.
HomeWell Care Services has sold 33 franchise deals so far in 2026, a company record, nine months after Main Post Partners acquired the home care brand. CEO Crystal Franz told Home Health Care News the system is on track to add 40 new owners by year end, even as client acquisition gets harder for operators on the ground.
Franz said home care demand has never been higher, but clients no longer arrive on their own. Referral partners such as hospitals now want proof an agency can keep patients recovering at home, and they care about metrics like readmission rates. Dropping off doughnuts at a discharge planner's office no longer wins the business.
The Main Post investment is funding an exclusive partnership with Trella Health, which gives HomeWell franchisees healthcare market intelligence on their local referral landscape. Franz said the goal is to help owners target referral sources more precisely and to push the whole system toward data-driven decisions. Her top ask of franchisees is that they track their own data.
HomeWell is growing through new franchise development, expansion by existing owners, and bringing in high-quality new owners. Franz said the brand still has significant white space compared with competitors. The company entered 2026 with more than 150 locations after adding 37 units or territories in 2025.
Franz flagged the rise in Alzheimer's and dementia cases as the biggest opportunity she sees. HomeWell may expand its care manager role with specialized dementia support, add new brand programs, or recommend specific caregiver licensure. For franchisees, a specialty line like this is a way to stand out with referral partners who need agencies that can handle complex cases.
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