Comfort Keepers Franchise Targets the Greater Seattle Area for Growth

Posted on March 12, 2007 by

Leading senior care franchise calls for eight new franchises in region by 2010

DAYTON, Ohio – Comfort Keepers Franchising, Inc. (CKFI), a growing national franchise offering companionship and other in-home care services for aging adults is targeting the greater Seattle area for expansion.  Company plans call for eight new franchises to open now through 2010, adding to the existing seven offices operating throughout the state.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, of the nearly 3.5 million people in the greater Seattle area in 2000, 13.7 percent were over the age of 60.  The percentage is expected to increase to 46.3 percent of Washington’s projected population of 8.6 million by the year 2030. 

“The increasing number of aging adults indicates a tremendous need for quality senior care providers in the greater Seattle area, making it a key market for us,” said Jim Booth, president and CEO of Comfort Keepers.  “Comfort Keepers is an ideal opportunity for entrepreneurs to become part of a successful business venture while helping fill the void for family members who are attempting to balance the care needs of aging loved ones with their own busy lives.”

Comfort Keepers provides in-home services on an hourly, daily or weekly basis with tailored packages customized to an individual’s needs.  Packages include companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, incidental transportation, laundry, recreational activities and more.  All caregivers are employees and have criminal, driving and credit background checks that ensure dependability and reliability.  In fact, families employing Comfort Keepers’ services versus an independent caregiver are not responsible for worker compensation, taxes, background checks, or theft and injury liabilities. 

The vast majority of Comfort Keepers franchisees rent, own or lease relatively small office space. Territories include a contiguous cluster of zip codes that total approximately 175,000 people. The initial investment ranges from $56,400 to $88,800, which includes the franchise fee.  The fee includes extensive initial and ongoing training, marketing materials and field support.  A unique royalty structure rewards franchisees as their business grows.

“The majority of Comfort Keepers’ franchisees were drawn to the concept because of personal experiences in caring for an aging adult,” said Jeff Bevis, executive vice president of franchise development for CKFI.  “At the end of the day, our franchisees are successful business owners who also feel good about what they do. That’s what most people strive for in their jobs, and we offer it through a franchise where you can feel satisfied with your work and be your own boss.  It’s the best of both worlds.” 

Local owners Jim and Pam Wolford opened their first Comfort Keepers office in 2003.  The couple now owns three offices in and around the greater Seattle area.

“We came upon Comfort Keepers while looking for in-home care solutions for my mother and mother-in-law,” said Jim Wolford.  “What attracted us to the business opportunity was the Comfort Keepers’ philosophy and the general lack of good care options in Seattle.  Our business has grown from 43 hours of care the first month of operation to more than 100,000 last year.”

Wolford added, “We could not have done it without the support of the system and the ability to work together with other owners in the area.”

About Comfort Keepers

Founded in 1998 by a registered home health care nurse and her husband, the Comfort Keepers franchise system has grown to over 550 locations in 45 states, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. Comfort Keepers has ranked as one of the top five franchises in senior care Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 for the past five years.