Leaving a stable career to buy a franchise is rarely about passion alone. For most buyers, it is a calculated decision about risk, income stability, time freedom, and long-term upside. That is why many professionals evaluating the Caring Transitions Franchise also compare it to opportunities in entirely different industries, including commercial cleaning.
This article provides a research-driven, U.S.-focused analysis of the Caring Transitions Franchise. It draws on publicly available franchise disclosures, third-party franchise research sites, and demographic data to explain how the model works, what franchisees appear to earn, and where the opportunity excels—or struggles—depending on the buyer’s goals.
We then compare the senior transition services industry to the commercial cleaning industry and explain why Assett Franchise, founded by Matt Pencarinha, is often a better fit for buyers seeking scalable, recurring revenue and semi-absentee ownership.
What Is the Caring Transitions Franchise Opportunity?
Company Overview and Industry
Caring Transitions operates in the senior relocation, downsizing, and estate liquidation industry. Franchisees help older adults and their families manage major life transitions, including moves to senior living communities, home downsizing, estate sales, and property cleanouts.
The company was founded in 2006 and began franchising the same year. Corporate headquarters are located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the brand operates under Strategic Franchising.
Caring Transitions has expanded steadily over the past two decades. Franchise disclosure summaries report 314 operating franchises as of December 31, 2023, while newer franchise marketing materials and third-party directories indicate 400+ locations nationwide.
The industry itself sits at the intersection of senior services, logistics, and resale/auction services. Importantly, Caring Transitions does not provide healthcare or personal care. Instead, it focuses on planning, coordination, and liquidation during major life transitions.
What Franchisees Get
Caring Transitions franchisees provide a bundled service offering designed to reduce stress for families navigating emotionally complex transitions. Services typically include:
- Senior move management and relocation coordination
- Downsizing and decluttering
- Packing, unpacking, and resettling
- Estate sales and online auctions
- Home cleanouts and preparation
The model is heavily referral-driven. While end customers are residential households, lead flow often comes from real estate agents, senior living communities, estate attorneys, and trust officers rather than direct-to-consumer advertising.
Technology plays a central role. Franchisees use proprietary tools such as CTBids, an online auction platform that enables digital estate sales, along with internal CRM and estimating systems.
Training is structured and mandatory. Franchise listings explicitly state that absentee ownership is not permitted, and the business is not positioned as part-time—particularly during the startup phase, according to Entrepreneur.com.
Startup Costs and Ongoing Fees
Caring Transitions is often described as a low-cost, home-based franchise, but investment figures vary by disclosure year and territory size.
According to the franchisor’s official investment page, the total initial investment ranges from approximately $63,500 to $108,600, with a franchise fee of $53,900.
Third-party FDD analyses published in 2025 show a broader estimated range of $70,760 to $117,150, accounting for additional working capital, training travel, insurance, and required technology fees.
Ongoing fees generally include:
- Royalty fee: 6% of gross revenue
- National branding fee: 2%
- Local marketing requirements
- Technology and platform fees
Territories are protected and population-based, with additional fees required for expansion beyond the base population threshold.
Franchisee Performance Metrics and Earnings
Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document and summarized by independent analysts.
For the one-year period ending December 31, 2023, 230 franchises operating for the full year reported:
- Average gross receipts: ~$299,400
- Median gross receipts: ~$210,200
- Highest reported gross receipts: ~$2.45 million
- Lowest reported gross receipts: ~$9,758
Performance varied widely by quartile:
- Top quartile average: ~$669,700
- Second quartile average: ~$296,100
- Third quartile average: ~$153,200
- Bottom quartile average: ~$67,500
Gross profit margins averaged approximately 63%, but these figures do not represent net income and exclude owner compensation, overhead, and marketing expenses.
How the Industry Itself Compares
Caring Transitions Industry Advantages
The senior transition services industry benefits from strong demographic tailwinds. The U.S. population aged 65 and older reached 61.2 million in 2024, growing at more than three times the rate of the general population.
As Baby Boomers age, demand for downsizing, relocation, and estate settlement services is expected to remain steady. The work is mission-driven and emotionally meaningful, which appeals to some buyers.
The model is also relatively asset-light, with no real estate requirement and minimal equipment compared to fitness or vehicle-heavy franchises.
Compared to the Commercial Cleaning Industry
The biggest difference is revenue structure.
Caring Transitions is project-based. Each engagement ends once a move or estate sale is complete. Revenue does not recur unless the franchisee continuously replaces completed projects with new ones.
Commercial cleaning, by contrast, is contract-based and recurring. Businesses require cleaning weekly, nightly, or daily—creating predictable, renewable revenue.
The U.S. commercial cleaning market exceeds $100 billion annually, according to multiple research firms.
Commercial cleaning is also essential and recession-resistant, serving offices, schools, hospitals, warehouses, and medical facilities regardless of economic conditions, according to U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics.
From an ownership perspective, cleaning businesses can be structured for semi-absentee management, with crews operating after hours while owners focus on sales, systems, and growth. Caring Transitions typically requires more hands-on involvement, especially early on.
How the Assett Franchise Compares
Simpler Systems, Bigger Potential
Assett Franchise operates exclusively in the commercial cleaning industry, with a system designed for executive-style ownership.
The model emphasizes:
- B2B recurring contracts
- Long-term client retention
- Low equipment requirements
- Clear paths to $1M+ recurring revenue
Assett is built for owners who want to work on the business, not in it.
Automated Hiring = Time and Money Saved
Hiring is the single biggest bottleneck in service businesses. Assett directly addresses this through an automated hiring system designed to eliminate 20–30 hours per week of recruiting work.
This system helps franchisees:
- Maintain consistent staffing levels
- Reduce turnover disruptions
- Scale accounts without constant owner involvement
By removing the hiring burden, Assett allows owners to grow without hiring full-time managers prematurely.
Personalized and Founder-Led
Assett Franchise is family-owned and founder-led, not private equity controlled. Franchisees work directly with leadership, including founder Matt Pencarinha, throughout training and growth phases.
This structure enables faster decisions, personalized support, and a community-driven culture—qualities often diluted in larger franchise systems.
Final Thoughts
The Caring Transitions Franchise can be a strong fit for buyers seeking a purpose-driven, hands-on business serving seniors during meaningful life transitions. Demographic trends support ongoing demand, and top-performing franchisees demonstrate solid revenue potential.
However, for buyers seeking:
- Scalable growth
- Predictable recurring revenue
- Lower operational complexity
- Semi-absentee ownership potential
- Faster paths to seven-figure business valuation
…the commercial cleaning industry—and specifically Assett Franchise—often offers a clearer, more durable opportunity.
Assett combines essential, recession-resistant demand with modern systems, automated hiring, and founder-led support designed for professionals transitioning out of traditional careers.
If you’re exploring franchise opportunities and want a model that can deliver long-term income, flexibility, and control — we’d love to show you how Assett Franchise can help you build a business that works for your life. Visit https://assettfranchise.com to connect with our team and learn more.
