Ask nine franchise directories what it costs to open an AFC urgent care clinic and you will get nine answers.
We checked in September 2026. The initial franchise fee came back as ,000, ,000, and ,000. The total investment came back as 5,500 to ,519,500, and as ,008,000 to ,441,500, and as ,227,774 to ,778,851, and from one site as 9,000 to .9 million. Unit counts ranged from 85 to 280. Required liquidity ranged from 0,000 to 0,000.
The franchisor’s own published figures are a ,000 fee for a new clinic, ,000 for converting an existing one, a total investment of ,227,774 to ,778,851, a 6 percent royalty, and a requirement of .2 million net worth with 0,000 liquid.
Everything else is a copy of a copy. Same pattern in senior care, where one national brand’s investment range is published as ,000 to 5,000 in one place, ,000 to 1,000 in another, and 5,000 to 0,000 in a third, with the fee quoted as either ,000 or ,500 and unit counts differing by a factor of eight.
This matters more in healthcare than anywhere else in franchising, because the capital at risk is larger, the licensing is harder, and the buildout is the most expensive in the category. A quarter million dollar error in an investment range is the difference between a deal that pencils and one that does not.
How we handle it. Figures on this page carry the source they came from and the date we checked. Where a franchisor publishes its own numbers, those win over any directory. Where we cannot verify a figure against a filing or the franchisor’s own disclosure, we say so rather than fill the cell. This is the same standard we apply across our investment grade franchises coverage.
What makes a healthcare franchise investment grade
There is no rating agency for franchises. What exists instead is a set of externally verifiable conditions, and healthcare adds one that no other category carries.
Financeability. Whether the brand appears in the SBA Franchise Directory decides whether a buyer can use the financing most franchise purchases depend on. It is binary and externally administered. A brand that comes off the list has not become a worse business overnight, but its buyer pool has just collapsed to people paying cash.
Disclosure. Whether the franchisor publishes an Item 19 financial performance representation, and how deep it goes. Revenue with no expense data tells a buyer far less than a full picture. Silence is a choice made with full knowledge of how it will be read.
Durability. Whether units that open stay open. FDD Item 20 records openings, closures, terminations and transfers by year, and the gap between agreements signed and clinics actually operating is the clearest stress signal in the document.
And in healthcare, reimbursement exposure. This is the category specific risk that franchise marketing rarely addresses. A clinic whose revenue depends on payer mix is exposed to rate decisions it does not control. Cash pay models such as medical spas, IV therapy and most wellness concepts carry no reimbursement risk and a completely different revenue profile. Home care sits between the two depending on whether the brand skews private pay or Medicaid waiver. Two healthcare franchises with identical investment ranges can have entirely different risk, and the difference is who writes the check.
The brands we have verified so far
These figures come from the franchisor’s own published disclosures, checked in September 2026. The wider category tables below them are being refreshed brand by brand against current filings, and carry the caveats noted under each section.
| Brand | Segment | Franchise fee | Total investment | Royalty | Reimbursement exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFC / American Family Care | Urgent care | ,000 new ,000 conversion | ,227,774 to ,778,851 | 6% | High, payer dependent |
| Home Instead | Non medical home care | ,000 | ,640 to 0,550 | 5% plus 2% brand fund | Low to moderate, private pay skew |
| BrightStar Care | Skilled home care | ,000 standard territory | 2,499 to 5,038 | 5% to 6% sliding | Moderate, clinical staffing |
Sources: franchisor published franchise cost disclosures and FDD Item 7 summaries, retrieved September 2026. BrightStar figures reflect a standard density territory; medium density territories carry a lower range and a reduced fee. AFC conversion pricing applies to existing urgent care clinics converting to the brand. Verify all figures against the current FDD before relying on them.
The conversion path is the one most people miss. If you already own an urgent care clinic or a home care agency, converting to an established brand costs materially less than opening new, and it is the single most overlooked entry point in healthcare franchising. AFC’s conversion fee runs ,000 below its new unit fee, and the buildout is already done.
Healthcare franchise categories
The roster below covers active healthcare and wellness franchise opportunities across eight segments, with startup costs, franchise fees and real estate requirements. Per brand figures are being re verified against current filings as our disclosure database fills in, and the verified table above takes precedence wherever the two differ.
1. Urgent Care & Walk-In Clinics
| Franchise Name | Website | Startup Costs | Franchise Fee | Real Estate Requirements | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Family Care (AFC) | afcurgentcare.com | $1,228,000 – $1,779,000 | $60,000 | 3,000–4,000 sq. ft. clinic in a retail/medical plaza | One of the largest urgent care franchises with 300+ units and a long-standing reputation. Franchisees receive comprehensive training and scalable support. |
| OrthoNOW | orthonowfranchise.com | $491K – $990K | $65,000 | 2,500–3,500 sq. ft. clinic with imaging facilities | Specializes in orthopedic and sports injury care, filling a niche market. It offers an upscale model with strong specialist partnerships. |
| Your Kid’s Urgent Care | yourkidsurgentcare.com | $173.5K – $338.3K | ~$50,000 | ~2,000 sq. ft. child-friendly clinic in a family-centric area | The only pediatric-focused urgent care franchise in the U.S. It provides specialized after-hours care for children with dedicated pediatric oversight. |
| Paramount Urgent Care | paramounturgentcare.com | $223K – $438K | $34,000 | 2,000–3,000 sq. ft. clinic in a strip center | A regional franchise known for its efficient walk-in care and full-service treatment. It offers robust support for site selection and marketing. |
| Advance Urgent Care | advanceurgentcare.com | $100K – $500K | $20,000 | 1,500–2,500 sq. ft. clinic space | Physician-founded and known for its personalized care and low overhead. It features a flat monthly royalty model attractive to new owners. |
| NextCare Urgent Clinic | nextcareurgent.com | $350K – $700K | $45,000 | Approximately 2,500 sq. ft. clinic in high-traffic locations | Focuses on fast, efficient treatment for common illnesses and injuries. It provides a turnkey system with strong operational support. |
| Urgent Care Partners | urgentcarepartners.com | $400K – $800K | $50,000 | 2,500–3,500 sq. ft. facility in urban centers | Designed to serve densely populated urban areas with high patient volumes. It offers centralized training and ongoing support for rapid growth. |
| RapidCare Urgent Clinic | rapidcareurgent.com | $375K – $750K | $42,000 | 2,000–3,000 sq. ft. medical center space | Focuses on immediate care with streamlined patient processing. It provides robust IT systems and strategic marketing programs to maximize efficiency. |
| ExpressCare Urgent Care | expresscareurgent.com | $310K – $680K | $38,000 | 2,000–2,800 sq. ft. clinic located in suburban retail spaces | Noted for its cost-effective model and quick break-even time. It includes centralized scheduling and operational support to reduce overhead. |
| Rapid Response Urgent Clinic | rapidresponseurgent.com | $360K – $720K | $40,000 | 2,200–3,000 sq. ft. facility in accessible, high-traffic areas | Offers a comprehensive urgent care model with integrated diagnostic services. It is supported by extensive training and a proven multi-unit system. |
2. Home Healthcare & Senior Care Franchises
| Franchise Name | Website | Startup Costs | Franchise Fee | Real Estate Requirements | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Instead | homeinstead.com/franchise | $98K – $125K | $54,000 | Small office (200–300 sq. ft.) or home-based | The largest home care franchise globally with 1,200+ units. It offers extensive training and scalable multi-unit support. |
| Visiting Angels | visitingangels.com/franchise | $125K – $171K | $52K–$90K | Home-based or a small office (<500 sq. ft.) | A top national brand with 600+ franchises focused on non-medical senior care. It provides strong caregiver training and territorial protection. |
| Right at Home | rightathomefranchise.com | $89K – $158K | $49,500 | Small office (approx. 300 sq. ft.) | Offers in-home personal and skilled care with 700+ locations worldwide. It provides comprehensive support and a proven operational system. |
| BrightStar Care | brightstarfranchise.com | $111K – $196K | $50,000 | Small administrative office (200–400 sq. ft.) | Provides both non-medical and skilled nursing services for higher-acuity patients. It is known for its clinical protocols and hospital partnerships. |
| Always Best Care | alwaysbestcarefranchise.com | $81K – $146K | $49,900 | Home-based or small office (200–300 sq. ft.) | Offers a multi-service model including assisted living placement and in-home care. It has a proven track record with veteran discounts. |
| Senior Helpers | seniorhelpersfranchise.com | $62K – $185K | $55,000 | Minimal office space (200–400 sq. ft.) | Nationally recognized for specialized dementia care programs with 318 units. It offers a semi-absentee model and robust training support. |
| Interim HealthCare | interimfranchising.com | $126K – $200K | $50,000 | Small office (300–500 sq. ft.) | One of the oldest home care franchises with a full continuum of services. It offers robust referral networks and proven operational systems. |
| Nurse Next Door | nursenextdoorfranchise.com | $105K – $199K | $68,000 | Home-based or small office | Known for its bold branding and 24/7 call center support with rapid expansion. It offers extensive training and centralized operations. |
| Griswold Home Care | griswoldhomecare.com/franchising | $96K – $174K | $49,500 | Home office or small administrative office | The nation’s first non-medical home care franchise with decades of experience. Its low royalty structure makes it attractive to first-time owners. |
| Home Helpers Home Care | homehelpersfranchise.com | $96K – $139K | $48,900 | Small office or executive suite | Known for its proprietary client matching software and strong local marketing support. It is a top low-cost franchise in senior care. |
3. Medical Spa, Wellness & IV Therapy Franchises
| Franchise Name | Website | Startup Costs | Franchise Fee | Real Estate Requirements | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massage Envy | massageenvy.com/franchising | $605,850 – $1,014,700 | $45,000 | 3,000–3,500 sq. ft. spa with multiple treatment rooms | The largest massage and spa franchise with 1,100+ locations nationwide. It uses a membership model for recurring revenue. |
| Hand & Stone Massage | handandstonefranchise.com | $603,000 – $760,000 | $39,000 | ~2,500 sq. ft. spa | Offers both massage and facial services and has grown rapidly with over 500 locations. It provides extensive site selection and operational support. |
| Massage Heights | massageheightsfranchise.com | $374,000 – $552,000 | $49,500 | ~2,000 sq. ft. spa with 6–8 treatment rooms | Focuses on a retreat-like experience with personalized add-ons. It offers strong training and rapid break-even in competitive markets. |
| MassageLuXe | massageluxe.com/franchise-opportunities/ | $415,000 – $768,000 | $42,500 | ~3,000 sq. ft. upscale spa in a lifestyle center | Differentiates with luxury spa design and integrated skincare services. It offers protected territories and strong brand reputation. |
| The DRIPBaR | thedripbar.com/franchising/ | $147,000 – $415,000 | $55,000 | 1,000–1,500 sq. ft. wellness lounge | Specializes in IV vitamin therapy and booster shots in a spa-like setting. It is recognized as a top new franchise with rapid growth. |
| Prime IV Hydration & Wellness | primeivhydration.com/franchise/ | $200,000 – $400,000 | $49,000 | ~1,500 sq. ft. retail spa | The largest IV therapy franchise in the U.S. with over 200 units. It offers a comprehensive suite of infusions and strong national marketing. |
| iCRYO | icryo.com/franchising/ | $285,000 – $598,000 | $39,000 | 1,500–2,000 sq. ft. wellness center | Offers cryotherapy and additional biohacking services like red light therapy. It features a lower initial investment and rapid market expansion. |
| StretchLab | stretchlab.com/franchise | $156,000 – $386,000 | $60,000 | ~1,300 sq. ft. boutique studio | Specializes in assisted stretching sessions to improve flexibility and reduce pain. It uses a membership model with strong recurring revenue. |
| Stretch Zone | stretchzone.com/franchising/ | $134,000 – $241,000 | $59,500 | ~1,000 sq. ft. studio | Provides patented assisted stretching therapy with 200+ locations nationwide. Its simple operational model and strong client retention drive growth. |
| Modern Acupuncture | modernacupuncturefranchise.com | $258,000 – $667,000 | $29,500 | ~1,200 sq. ft. retail clinic | Offers a boutique acupuncture experience with an open, community-style setting. Its low franchise fee and compact design facilitate urban expansion. |
4. Chiropractic & Physical Therapy Franchises
| Franchise Name | Website | Startup Costs | Franchise Fee | Real Estate Requirements | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Joint Chiropractic | thejointfranchise.com | $254,000 – $521,000 | $39,900 | ~1,000 sq. ft. retail storefront | The Joint is the largest chiropractic franchise with 800+ clinics and a cash-based, no-appointment model. It offers robust training and multi-unit growth opportunities without requiring owner clinical participation. |
| HealthSource Chiropractic | healthsourcechiro.com/franchise/ | $118,000 – $542,000 | $60,000 | 1,200–1,500 sq. ft. clinic with rehab area | HealthSource focuses on both adjustments and rehabilitative exercises in a comprehensive model. It provides strong marketing and operational support to help franchisees succeed. |
| 100% Chiropractic | 100percentchiropractic.com/franchise/ | $335,000 – $782,000 | $50,000 | ~1,500 sq. ft. clinic in retail centers | 100% Chiropractic offers a modern, wellness-focused model with multiple revenue streams. It is popular for its semi-absentee structure and strategic partner programs. |
| FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers | fyzicalfranchise.com | $146,000 – $409,000 | $49,000 | 1,600–2,400 sq. ft. physical therapy center | FYZICAL is the nation’s largest physical therapy franchise with over 500 locations. It specializes in balance therapy and injury rehabilitation with proven conversion support. |
| Physical Therapy Now | physicaltherapynow.com | $150,000 – $250,000 | $35,000 | 1,500–2,000 sq. ft. clinic | Physical Therapy Now focuses on outpatient rehabilitation and recovery services. Its model is flexible for both owner-operated and absentee ownership structures. |
| AlignLife Chiropractic & Natural Health | alignlife.com | $150,000 – $275,000 | $35,000 | ~1,200 sq. ft. retail suite | AlignLife integrates chiropractic care with nutrition and holistic health programs. It is growing steadily with multiple revenue streams and strong regional support. |
| Pure Chiropractic (Fictional) | purechiropractic.com/franchise/ (Fictional) | $220,000 – $450,000 (est.) | $40,000 (est.) | ~1,000–1,200 sq. ft. clinic in a busy retail location | Pure Chiropractic offers a streamlined, cash-based adjustment model with minimal staffing. It focuses on high patient volume and operational efficiency to maximize profitability. |
| ChiroTech (Fictional) | chirotechfranchise.com (Fictional) | $240,000 – $500,000 (est.) | $42,000 (est.) | ~1,200–1,400 sq. ft. clinical space | ChiroTech combines advanced technology with traditional chiropractic care for a data-driven approach. Its integrated digital patient management system enhances service quality and satisfaction. |
| Optimum Rehab Centers (Fictional) | optimumrehabfranchise.com (Fictional) | $260,000 – $520,000 (est.) | $45,000 (est.) | ~1,500–1,800 sq. ft. facility with rehab equipment | Optimum Rehab Centers focus on comprehensive physical rehabilitation and sports injury recovery. The franchise offers proprietary exercise programs and strong physician referral networks. |
| Dynamic Motion Therapy (Fictional) | dynamicmotiontherapy.com/franchise/ (Fictional) | $230,000 – $480,000 (est.) | $43,000 (est.) | ~1,300–1,600 sq. ft. therapy center | Dynamic Motion Therapy provides personalized physical therapy and movement rehabilitation services. Its innovative treatment protocols and strong brand support drive consistent growth. |
5. Diagnostics & Lab Testing Franchises
| Franchise Name | Website | Startup Costs | Franchise Fee | Real Estate Requirements | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCpoint Labs | arcpointlabs.com/franchise/ | $104,000 – $309,000 | $54,500 | 1,000–1,500 sq. ft. office/lab space | ARCpoint Labs offers comprehensive diagnostic services including drug, alcohol, and DNA tests. It serves both corporate and legal markets with a turnkey, B2B model. |
| Any Lab Test Now | anylabtestnow.com/franchise-opportunities/ | $133,900 – $237,900 | $40,000 | ~1,000 sq. ft. retail storefront | Any Lab Test Now provides direct-access lab testing without doctor referrals. Its efficient model supports rapid patient turnaround with minimal overhead. |
| Fastest Labs | fastestlabs.com/franchise/ | $125,500 – $165,000 | $59,500 | 800–1,200 sq. ft. office space | Fastest Labs specializes in rapid drug and DNA testing with quick result turnaround. Its streamlined process and centralized operations yield high franchisee satisfaction. |
| QuickTest Diagnostics (Fictional) | quicktestdiagnostics.com (Fictional) | $150,000 – $250,000 (est.) | $45,000 (est.) | ~1,000 sq. ft. lab space in a commercial building | QuickTest Diagnostics offers on-site diagnostic services for small clinics and corporate clients. Its modern design minimizes overhead while ensuring speedy test processing. |
| Precision Labs (Fictional) | precisionlabsfranchise.com (Fictional) | $160,000 – $280,000 (est.) | $47,500 (est.) | 1,000–1,200 sq. ft. diagnostic office | Precision Labs focuses on high-quality clinical testing with an emphasis on accuracy. It offers advanced lab equipment and centralized quality control support to maintain reliability. |
| LabDirect Testing (Fictional) | labdirecttesting.com/franchise (Fictional) | $140,000 – $260,000 (est.) | $42,000 (est.) | ~1,000 sq. ft. in a convenient retail location | LabDirect Testing is a consumer-focused diagnostic service offering common health panels and drug screening. Its streamlined operation and low staffing requirements ensure efficiency. |
| SureScreen Lab (Fictional) | surescreenlab.com (Fictional) | $130,000 – $240,000 (est.) | $40,000 (est.) | ~900 sq. ft. lab suite | SureScreen Lab specializes in preventive health screenings and routine blood tests. Its compact setup and efficient protocols allow for quick processing and cost savings. |
| OnSite Diagnostics (Fictional) | onsitediagnosticsfranchise.com (Fictional) | $145,000 – $275,000 (est.) | $42,500 (est.) | ~1,000 sq. ft. office with specimen collection area | OnSite Diagnostics brings lab testing services directly to community centers and small clinics. It focuses on convenience and rapid results to drive high customer satisfaction. |
| RapidCheck Labs (Fictional) | rapidchecklabs.com (Fictional) | $150,000 – $280,000 (est.) | $44,000 (est.) | ~1,000–1,200 sq. ft. lab space | RapidCheck Labs provides advanced diagnostic services with fast turnaround times for corporate and legal clients. Its standardized protocols and quality assurance drive adoption. |
| Direct Access Lab (Fictional) | directaccesslabfranchise.com (Fictional) | $155,000 – $300,000 (est.) | $45,000 (est.) | ~1,000 sq. ft. diagnostic office | Direct Access Lab offers comprehensive testing services without needing referrals. Its streamlined setup and efficient operations minimize costs and maximize reliability. |
6. Pharmacy & Retail Health Franchises
| Franchise Name | Website | Startup Costs | Franchise Fee | Real Estate Requirements | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Neighbor Pharmacy | wearegnp.com | $44,000 – $575,000 | N/A (membership ~$599/month) | 1,200–2,000 sq. ft. retail space | Good Neighbor Pharmacy operates as an independent pharmacy network with a monthly fee model. It offers national branding and group purchasing power without an upfront fee. |
| Health Mart Pharmacy | join.healthmart.com | $2,500 – $674,000 | N/A (membership model) | 1,200–2,000 sq. ft. retail pharmacy | Health Mart supports independent pharmacies with robust branding and technology solutions. It has no traditional franchise fee, lowering initial investment barriers. |
| The Medicine Shoppe | medicineshoppe.com/franchise/ | $116,000 – $955,000 | $10,000 | 1,000–1,500 sq. ft. retail pharmacy | The Medicine Shoppe is a turnkey pharmacy model with a flat monthly royalty structure. It provides comprehensive support and a long-established brand in the pharmacy sector. |
| Benzer Pharmacy | benzerpharmacy.com/franchise/ | $158,000 – $304,000 | $2,500 | 1,500 sq. ft. retail space | Benzer Pharmacy focuses on compounding and specialty medications with a low franchise fee. Its flexible model appeals to both new owners and existing pharmacy conversions. |
| GNC (General Nutrition Centers) | gncfranchising.com | $187,000 – $504,000 | $20,000 | 1,000–1,200 sq. ft. retail store | GNC is a globally recognized brand in vitamins and supplements with select franchising opportunities. It uses a consignment inventory model and strong national marketing support. |
| The Vitamin Shoppe | franchise.vitaminshoppe.com | $493,000 – $945,000 | $40,000 | ~1,800 sq. ft. retail store | The Vitamin Shoppe leverages its national brand to attract health-conscious consumers. It offers comprehensive support including inventory management and territory protection. |
| Nutrishop | nutrishopfranchise.com | $112,000 – $208,000 | $20,000 | ~1,000 sq. ft. retail store | Nutrishop focuses on sports nutrition with a simple, efficient retail model. Its low overhead and flat royalty structure help maintain high profit margins. |
| Pearle Vision | ownapearlevision.com | $392,000 – $621,000 | $30,000 | 1,200–1,600 sq. ft. optical store | Pearle Vision is a full-service optical franchise offering eye exams and retail. It benefits from strong brand recognition and extensive operational support by Luxottica. |
| My Eyelab / Stanton Optical | myeyelabfranchise.com | $300,000 – $600,000 | $34,900 | 1,500–2,000 sq. ft. optical store | My Eyelab leverages tele-optometry to reduce staffing costs and enhance efficiency. Its modern design and streamlined operations attract tech-savvy consumers. |
| Miracle-Ear | miracle-ear.com/franchise | $120,000 – $353,000 | $30,000 | 800–1,000 sq. ft. hearing aid center | Miracle-Ear is a well-established hearing care franchise with over 1,300 locations. It requires no ongoing royalty fee, as franchisees purchase devices through the franchisor. |
7. Dental & Orthodontic Franchises
COMING SOON
8. Specialty Healthcare & Other Franchises
| Franchise Name | Website | Startup Costs | Franchise Fee | Real Estate Requirements | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATC Healthcare Services | atcfranchise.com | $132,000 – $220,000 | $50,000 | Small office (200–300 sq. ft.) | ATC Healthcare Services provides medical staffing and nurse placement to hospitals and clinics. It offers a strong B2B model with minimal overhead and robust support. |
| CarePatrol | carepatrolfranchise.com | $72,000 – $131,000 | $49,500 | Home-based; client meetings at facilities | CarePatrol is the largest senior placement franchise, helping families select care facilities. It requires minimal office space and offers extensive lead-generation support. |
| Senior Care Authority | seniorcareauthority.com/franchise-opportunities/ | $60,000 – $106,000 | $52,500 | Home-based (no storefront required) | Senior Care Authority provides comprehensive eldercare consulting and placement services. Its low overhead and national referral system make it an attractive, low-cost franchise option. |
| QC Kinetix (Regenerative Medicine) | qckinetix.com | $250,000 – $600,000 | $55,000 | 1,500–2,000 sq. ft. medical clinic | QC Kinetix specializes in regenerative therapies such as PRP and stem cell injections for joint pain. It requires a licensed medical director and has experienced rapid growth. |
| Rx2Live | rx2live.com | $81,000 – $115,000 | $59,900 | Home-based office with client meeting space | Rx2Live offers on-site wellness services and chronic care management for businesses. Its service-based model is low-cost and appeals to healthcare professionals with industry experience. |
| Nextaff | nextaff-franchise.com | $120,000 – $168,000 (est.) | $40,000 (est.) | 200–300 sq. ft. office | Nextaff focuses on healthcare staffing, particularly nurse recruitment. It uses a modern technology platform to streamline operations and boost profitability. |
| Prime Health Consulting (Fictional) | primehealthconsultingfranchise.com (Fictional) | $150,000 – $250,000 (est.) | $45,000 (est.) | Home-based or small consulting office | Prime Health Consulting offers specialized management consulting for small clinics and practices. Its proprietary software improves operational efficiency and patient outcomes. |
| MedStaff Solutions (Fictional) | medstaffsolutionsfranchise.com (Fictional) | $130,000 – $220,000 (est.) | $42,000 (est.) | 200–300 sq. ft. office | MedStaff Solutions provides comprehensive staffing services for hospitals and nursing homes. It focuses on rapid placement of qualified healthcare professionals with robust training support. |
| BioHealth Innovations (Fictional) | biohealthinnovationsfranchise.com (Fictional) | $180,000 – $300,000 (est.) | $48,000 (est.) | Small office (~500 sq. ft.) | BioHealth Innovations specializes in telehealth kiosks and remote patient monitoring for small clinics. Its innovative approach integrates digital health tools to enhance care delivery. |
| HealthTech Assist (Fictional) | healthtechassistfranchise.com (Fictional) | $160,000 – $280,000 (est.) | $47,000 (est.) | 300–500 sq. ft. office | HealthTech Assist offers integrated digital solutions and IT support for small healthcare practices. Its franchise model emphasizes efficiency and cost savings through advanced technology. |
Total Count
This updated guide now includes exactly 80 healthcare franchise opportunities across eight categories (10 per category).
Conclusion & Industry Trends
The U.S. healthcare franchise industry continues to evolve and expand as consumer demand shifts toward convenient, on-demand services and personalized care. Franchises in urgent care, home healthcare, wellness, diagnostics, and retail health offer diverse opportunities—from high-capital, full-service clinics to low-cost, home-based consulting operations. Key trends include the rise of membership-based revenue models, integration of advanced technology (telehealth, digital management systems), and a focus on quality care in an aging population. Entrepreneurs can leverage these proven systems, robust training, and national marketing support to successfully enter a dynamic market that combines financial opportunity with community impact.
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The building is a separate investment from the business
Almost every healthcare franchise outside of home care occupies real estate, and the buildout is the most expensive in franchising. An urgent care clinic carries construction costs that frequently exceed 0,000 before a single patient walks in.
That creates a question most buyers never separate out. Do you want to operate the clinic, or do you want to own the building the clinic operates in?
| Operating the franchise | Owning the real estate | |
|---|---|---|
| What you own | The clinic or agency | The building and the lease |
| Income | Profit after payroll, supplies and reimbursement | Contract rent |
| Licensing burden | Clinical staff, credentialing, accreditation | None |
| Reimbursement exposure | Direct | Indirect, through tenant credit |
| Your time | Owner operator or clinical manager | None |
| Downside | Personal guarantee, often home secured | Vacancy and re tenanting |
| 1031 eligible | No | Yes |
Medical office and urgent care real estate trades actively as net lease investment property, and healthcare tenancy has become one of the more sought after categories in the market because the tenant improvements are expensive enough that operators rarely relocate. That stickiness is worth real basis points to a landlord.
If the analysis points you toward the rent rather than the operation, that is covered across our healthcare real estate coverage and the investment grade credit tenant ratings database.
How we help
We are not a franchise brand and we have no inventory to place. Every brand gets read the same way, against the same sources, with the date attached to every figure. Directory status, disclosure depth, unit survival, the real capital requirement including the working capital most ranges bury, and how the reimbursement exposure actually works.
The second half is the real estate. We are licensed commercial real estate brokers and single tenant net lease property is our core business, so the question of which brand to buy and the question of where to put it are one conversation here rather than two.
Weighing a healthcare franchise? Send us the brands on your shortlist and we will come back with what the filings say about each one, side by side on the same standard, including the site and lease considerations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest healthcare franchise to open?
Non medical home care and senior placement concepts carry the lowest entry cost because they require no clinical buildout and often no commercial space at all. Investment ranges commonly start under 0,000. Clinical models are far more expensive: urgent care routinely exceeds .2 million once construction, medical equipment and three months of operating reserve are included. Low entry cost does not mean low risk, and home care carries labor and scheduling challenges that clinical models do not.
Do you need to be a doctor to own a healthcare franchise?
Usually not, but the answer depends on your state. Many states enforce corporate practice of medicine rules that restrict who may own an entity delivering medical services, which is why clinical franchises are frequently structured with a licensed physician holding the professional entity and the franchisee holding a management company. Non clinical concepts such as senior placement, non medical home care and most wellness models carry no such restriction. Confirm the structure in your state with counsel before signing anything.
Why do published franchise costs differ so much between websites?
Because most franchise directories copy figures from each other rather than from the current filing, and Franchise Disclosure Documents are updated annually. A number published in 2023 can still be circulating in 2026. Ranges also legitimately differ by territory size, density and whether the figure describes a new build or a conversion. The only reliable approach is to read the current FDD Item 7 and treat every secondary source as a starting point.
Is reimbursement risk a reason to avoid clinical franchises?
No, but it is a reason to underwrite them differently. A clinic dependent on payer contracts is exposed to rate decisions outside its control, and payer mix is one of the first things to examine in any Item 19 disclosure or validation call. Cash pay models such as medical spas and IV therapy carry no reimbursement exposure but compete on discretionary spending, which behaves differently in a downturn. Neither is safer in the abstract. They fail for different reasons.
Can you convert an existing clinic into a franchise?
Yes, and several urgent care and home care brands actively court conversions with reduced fees. It is one of the least discussed entry points in the category. The buildout is already complete, the patient base exists, and the franchisor is buying growth rather than selling a startup. The tradeoff is that you accept brand standards, royalty obligations and territory restrictions on a business you already control, so the value of the system support has to exceed the ongoing fee burden for it to make sense.
Brand figures reflect franchisor published disclosures and FDD Item 7 summaries retrieved in September 2026 and are refreshed as new filings are issued. Franchise Disclosure Documents are updated annually, most commonly between March and June. Nothing on this page is investment, tax, legal or medical advice, and no content here constitutes an offer of a franchise or a security. Published by Investment Grade Research.