The Franchise Sandwich

How franchising’s middle ground has created a sustainable competitive advantage.

Franchising is an amazing way to be an entrepreneur without being (or feeling) alone in the journey. While you have the autonomy of being your own boss, you also reap the benefits of being part of a larger team of other successful entrepreneurs.?

The sharing of resources, knowledge, experiences, practice, and policies is a competitive advantage seen time and time again within franchising. With home care being a leading industry for franchising, we are witnessing the model provide another important sustainable competitive advantage: the ability to provide higher quality of care and customer service.

When you examine the range of service providers, you can clearly see two distinct ends. On one side are the "mom-and-pop" shops—hyperlocal and deeply connected to their clients. They know you and your family personally and are there for you in a heartbeat. The challenge for these businesses comes in staying on top of industry trends/changes and constantly shifting regulations.

On the other end of this spectrum are the large enterprises equipped with vast resources, comprehensive policies, and extensive infrastructure. These benefits come at a cost, however. The larger the business grows, the harder it becomes to maintain a personal touch. Staff and clients become numbers and tasks rather than members of an extended family.

In the middle of this spectrum, combining the best qualities of each end, is home care franchising, or what I’m starting to refer to as the “franchise sandwich”—a sustainable model that marries the local touch of small shops with the robust backbone of big business.

The Future is Franchising

The trajectory of home care is pointing toward more regulated and professionalized services, making the franchise model increasingly relevant. As new players enter the field and regulatory landscapes evolve, mom-and-pop shops face significant challenges that hinder their sustainability. Meanwhile, large conglomerates often lag in innovating quickly enough to meet changing consumer expectations.

Just Like Family Home Care exemplifies a hybrid approach. Our national office treats every franchisee like family, ensuring they are always equipped with the tools for continuous improvement and adaptation to ever-changing market needs. This agility sets us apart, allowing us to offer premium quality care with the rigour and transparency that modern families deserve.

As our franchise partners are proudly spread across Canada, we maintain local accountability through owners deeply integrated into their communities, backed by established policies and infrastructure that allow for scalable, quality service. Our franchises are not just businesses; each team is an? integral part of their community. They combine the trust and personal connection of small local businesses with the strategic advantages of a large-scale operation.

One of my favourite things to witness is our franchise partners consistently going “above and beyond” for clients and their families. Nothing makes my day better than hearing the stories of one owner attending a surprise birthday party for a 90-year-old while another showed up with colouring books for their client who has dementia.?

The franchising model has allowed Just Like Family Home Care to flourish, providing our franchisees the resources and connection to build—and sustain—a successful business while being able to provide personalized, relationship-based care for their clients. Each of our owners began their journey with the desire to make an impact on the lives of others. With this hybrid approach, they can run a business equipped with the tools for success while maintaining the human touch they so deeply value.?