---
title: "BrightStar Care reports healthy first half growth"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/a7743c7d-004a-464e-829b-fed2fd973b25
source: "Franchise Magazine USA"
original_url: https://franchisemagazineusa.com/brightstar-care-reports-healthy-first-half-growth/
author: "Andrew Carlo"
category: "Home care"
industry: "Senior Care"
segment: "Home care"
published: 2026-07-29T14:46:53.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T21:43:19.830Z
image: https://franchisemagazineusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/brightstar-2-e1727270756624.jpg
---

# BrightStar Care reports healthy first half growth

**TL;DR:** BrightStar Care reported healthy first-half growth, signing 20 new franchise agreements and opening 19 new locations in 2026. The brand now has over 420 franchised locations nationwide and continues to advance its technology strategy.

*By Andrew Carlo, originally published in Franchise Magazine USA on 2026-07-29. [Read the original](https://franchisemagazineusa.com/brightstar-care-reports-healthy-first-half-growth/).*

## Key facts

- 20 new franchise agreements signed
- 19 new locations opened
- 60 agreements in 18 months

## Story

## Growth and expansion

The home healthcare franchise reported signing 20 new franchise agreements and opening 19 new locations during the first six months of 2026. The pace reflects the rising demand for in-home care, according to BrightStar Care.

During the past 18 months, BrightStar Care has signed 60 franchise agreements.

“Demand for in-home care is creating real opportunity, and our job is to help owners capture it,” said Pete First, chief development officer at BrightStar Care. “Prospective owners are drawn to a model that combines purpose, community impact, and multiple revenue streams, and the momentum we are seeing at the midpoint of 2026 reflects that pull. With roughly half of our territories still open for development, there is meaningful room to grow.”

Overall, BrightStar Care now has more than 420 franchised locations nationwide. The brand provides skilled and unskilled home care to clients and custom medical staffing solutions to corporate entities. BrightStar Care said its franchise agencies employ more than 15,000 caregivers and 5,700 registered nurses.

Earlier this month, BrightStar Care announced that it has appointed Josh Wall as its new chief executive officer. Wall previously served as chief operating officer of Unleashed Brands, a youth enrichment franchise platform. He succeeds Andy Ray, who moved to an advisory position at the franchise.

## Technology strategy

Last year, BrightStar Care opened 30 new locations and welcomed 21 new franchise owners. Growth moves included BrightStar Care entering more than 20 new markets.

The brand also continues to advance its technology strategy. BrightStar Care continued to invest in technology designed to strengthen the owner experience. The brand introduced new AI tools across scheduling, sales and marketing, and daily operations. The tools are designed “to take friction out of everyday operations while maintaining care quality,” according to BrightStar Care.

“Our model is built around hands-on care, clinical oversight and trust, which makes it resilient even as AI reshapes other industries,” said First. “We are investing in technology that removes friction from everyday operations for our owners and the clients they serve, so their teams can spend more time on what matters most, the people in their care.” Based in Chicago, BrightStar Care is owned by Peak Rock Capital, a middle-market private investment firm, which acquired the care brand in 2025. For information about franchise opportunities with BrightStar Care, visit

## Entities

- unit expansion (topic)
- franchise growth (topic)
- Senior Care (sector)
- Franchise Magazine USA (publication)
- Andrew Carlo (person)
- Unleashed Brands (company)
- BrightStar Care (company)
- Josh Wall (person)
- healthcare (topic)
- Pete First (person)
- Andy Ray (person)
- Peak Rock Capital (investor)

---
Originally reported by Andrew Carlo, Franchise Magazine USA (https://franchisemagazineusa.com/brightstar-care-reports-healthy-first-half-growth/). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/a7743c7d-004a-464e-829b-fed2fd973b25).