Acti-Kare In-Home Care
Acti-Kare provides non-medical help in clients’ homes, including companionship, meals, errands, light housekeeping and transportation. The franchisor, ActiKare, Inc., began offering franchises in 2007. Licensing and permitted services depend on the state where the business operates.
What It Costs
Open The Full FDDExcludes real estate; includes three months of additional funds and four months of launch advertising.
Where Your Startup Money Goes
| Cost | Disclosed Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $19,750 to $39,750 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 11 · PDF Page 15 Varies by territory population: up to 100,000, 150,000 or 250,000 people. |
| Training Travel And Living Expenses | $1,000 to $1,500 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 Estimate for three people; initial training tuition for the owner and two others is included. |
| Miscellaneous Opening Costs | $500 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 Includes payroll costs. |
| Computer, Equipment And Supplies | $550 to $1,200 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 |
| Insurance | $700 to $1,500 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 |
| Scheduling Software | $130 to $200 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 12 · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 Monthly estimate based on active clients; paid to a designated third party. |
| Phone, Web Hosting And Email — Three Months | $150 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 Startup allowance; Item 7 mentions a later increase without a clear amount. |
| Business Package — Three Months | $750 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 12 · PDF Page 15 Initial $250 monthly fee; rises to $300 per month in year three. |
| Launch Advertising — Four Months | $6,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 $1,500 monthly for the first four months after training or required licensing, whichever is later. |
| Additional Funds — Three Months | $3,000 to $6,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 Startup estimate; more funds may be needed. |
Line items are shown as disclosed. Some costs overlap or apply to different formats; do not add them together without reviewing the source.
Open The Full FDDKey Franchise Fees
- Marketing & Advertising
View Disclosed Terms
Greater of 2% of gross sales or $50 per month; starts upon training completion or required licensing, whichever is later.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 12 · Item 6
Review Fee Sources
Fees And Payment Terms
| Fee | Disclosed Terms | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty / Support | Greater of tiered monthly gross-sales charges (5% on the first $25,000; 4% on $25,001 to $50,000; 3% above $50,000) or $450 per month for a territory up to 100,000 people / $550 for either larger territory. Starts the month after training or required licensing, whichever is later. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 11 · PDF Page 14 |
| Advertising Fund | Greater of 2% of gross sales or $50 per month; starts upon training completion or required licensing, whichever is later. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 12 |
| Business Package | $250 per month, increasing to $300 in year three; starts upon training completion or required licensing, whichever is later. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 12 |
| Scheduling Software | Average $130 to $200 per month; actual cost depends on active clients and is paid to the designated third-party provider. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 12 · PDF Page 14 · PDF Page 16 |
Some fees apply only to a specific event or service. These are not all monthly expenses.
Open The Full FDDSee how the disclosed startup costs fit your cash, reserves, and financing plans.
Your Role As An Owner
Open The Full FDDThe agreement calls for full-time best efforts and personal participation in the business by the owner, owners or manager. A hired manager does not need an ownership stake but must complete the required online training within 30 days and sign confidentiality commitments. This provision does not establish an absentee ownership model.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 27 · Item 15 · View Source
Territory
Open The Full FDDThe agreement provides a protected territory with a population of 100,000 – 250,000. Protection depends on complying with the agreement. The franchisor retains specified rights, including arranging work the franchisee declines or cannot perform and providing services through government programs.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 24 · PDF Page 25 · Item 12 · View Source
Read The Disclosed Requirements
An office may be home-based or commercial, but customer services cannot be performed at the office or another commercial site without written permission. Work outside the territory also requires permission. These rules describe contractual territory rights, not which areas are currently available.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 24 · PDF Page 25 · Item 12 · View Source
A disclosed territory policy does not confirm that your preferred area is available. Ask the franchisor about the specific area you are considering.
Training & Support
Open The Full FDDInitial training is provided for the owner and two other people. The program includes online preparation, corporate training and further pre-opening work with a support team. Travel and other attendance expenses remain the franchisee’s responsibility, and optional programs may carry additional charges.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 19 · PDF Page 23 · PDF Page 24 · Item 11 · View Source
Read The Disclosed Requirements
Ongoing support includes telephone assistance during business hours, conference calls and operating manuals. The franchisor can change operating standards, which may require additional spending. Hiring, employment decisions and local operating compliance remain the franchisee’s responsibility.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 19 · PDF Page 22 · Item 11 · View Source
Franchisor Financing
Open The Full FDDActi-Kare does not offer direct or indirect financing and does not guarantee a franchisee’s loan, lease or other obligation.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 19 · Item 10 · View Source
Inside The FDD
Open The Full FDDPlain-language summaries of the FDD. Follow the page links to read the original document and its conditions.
Source-linked summaries of this FDD. Unresolved terms are omitted.
Sources
01The Franchisor And The Business
Acti-Kare provides non-medical help in clients’ homes, including companionship, meals, errands, light housekeeping and transportation. The franchisor, ActiKare, Inc., began offering franchises in 2007. Licensing and permitted services depend on the state where the business operates.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 8 · PDF Page 9 · Item 1 · View Source
02Business Experience
The FDD identifies Mark Lucas as chief executive officer and a director since 2007, Cari Diaz as vice president since 2014, and Jessica Pisculli as operations director since 2018. It also describes their positions with related businesses.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 10 · Item 2 · View Source
03Litigation
The franchisor states that no litigation is required to be disclosed in this item.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 11 · Item 3 · View Source
04Bankruptcy
The franchisor states that no bankruptcy information is required to be disclosed in this item.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 11 · Item 4 · View Source
05Initial Fees
The initial franchise fee depends on the territory population: $19,750 for up to 100,000 people, $27,250 for up to 150,000, or $39,750 for up to 250,000. It is paid when you sign and includes initial training and the franchise package. Payments to the franchisor are nonrefundable.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 11 · PDF Page 16 · Item 5 · View Source
06Other Fees
The royalty uses monthly sales tiers: 5% on the first $25,000, 4% on sales from $25,001 through $50,000, and 3% on sales above $50,000. A monthly minimum also applies: $450 for the smallest territory or $550 for either larger territory. You pay the greater amount, starting the month after training or receipt of the required state license, whichever is later.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 11 · PDF Page 14 · Item 6 · View Source
The advertising fund is the greater of 2% of gross sales or $50 per month. The required business package costs $250 per month, rising to $300 in the third year. Both start after training or the required state license, whichever is later. Scheduling software is separate and averages $130 to $200 per month depending on active clients.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 12 · Item 6 · View Source
07Estimated Initial Investment
Item 7 estimates $32,530 to $57,550 to start, excluding real estate. It assumes a home-based business and includes $3,000 to $6,000 of additional funds for three months. Training travel is estimated for three people; the launch advertising allowance covers four months. These are estimates, and additional startup expenses may arise.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · Item 7 · View Source
08Required Purchases And Suppliers
Some services and materials must come from the franchisor or its designated providers, including the launch package and virtual phone, website and email services. The business must also use the required bookkeeping and scheduling software. Equipment and alternative suppliers remain subject to the requirements explained in this item.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 17 · Item 8 · View Source
09Your Obligations
This item is a guide to the obligations in the franchise agreement, including training, fees, insurance, advertising, records, renewal and duties when the franchise ends. Each row points to the agreement section and FDD item that explain the requirement.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 18 · PDF Page 19 · Item 9 · View Source
10Franchisor Financing
Acti-Kare does not offer direct or indirect financing and does not guarantee a franchisee’s loan, lease or other obligation.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 19 · Item 10 · View Source
11Training And Support
Initial training is provided for the owner and two other people. The program includes online preparation, corporate training and further pre-opening work with a support team. Travel and other attendance expenses remain the franchisee’s responsibility, and optional programs may carry additional charges.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 19 · PDF Page 23 · PDF Page 24 · Item 11 · View Source
Ongoing support includes telephone assistance during business hours, conference calls and operating manuals. The franchisor can change operating standards, which may require additional spending. Hiring, employment decisions and local operating compliance remain the franchisee’s responsibility.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 19 · PDF Page 22 · Item 11 · View Source
12Territory
The agreement provides a protected territory with a population of 100,000 – 250,000. Protection depends on complying with the agreement. The franchisor retains specified rights, including arranging work the franchisee declines or cannot perform and providing services through government programs.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 24 · PDF Page 25 · Item 12 · View Source
An office may be home-based or commercial, but customer services cannot be performed at the office or another commercial site without written permission. Work outside the territory also requires permission. These rules describe contractual territory rights, not which areas are currently available.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 24 · PDF Page 25 · Item 12 · View Source
13Trademarks
The franchise gives the owner permission to use the Acti-Kare names and marks under the brand’s rules. Suspected infringement must be reported. The franchisor may require changes to the marks used by the business, and the FDD does not promise to reimburse the resulting costs.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 25 · PDF Page 26 · Item 13 · View Source
14Patents, Copyrights And Proprietary Information
The FDD identifies no patents or pending patent applications material to the franchise. Manuals and other operating information are confidential. Owners and managers must protect that information and may use it only as authorized; the franchisor is not contractually required to defend the copyrights or confidential information.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 27 · Item 14 · View Source
15Your Role As An Owner
The agreement calls for full-time best efforts and personal participation in the business by the owner, owners or manager. A hired manager does not need an ownership stake but must complete the required online training within 30 days and sign confidentiality commitments. This provision does not establish an absentee ownership model.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 27 · Item 15 · View Source
16Products And Services You May Sell
The business may offer only authorized products and services, and must add those the franchisor requires. The franchisor can change that list. Services are limited to customers in the territory, and skilled medical or caregiver services require prior written permission.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 28 · Item 16 · View Source
17Renewal, Termination, Transfer And Disputes
The initial franchise term is seven years. Although the table calls renewal automatic, renewal still requires compliance, any required training, a new agreement, a release and the applicable fee. The new agreement may have materially different terms, including royalties or territory.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 28 · Item 17 · View Source
The agreement also governs transfers, early termination and post-franchise restrictions. Some disputes must be arbitrated near the franchisor’s headquarters, with exceptions and state-law qualifications. The table describes two-year post-franchise restrictions, also subject to state law.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 28 · PDF Page 29 · PDF Page 30 · Item 17 · View Source
18Public Figures
The franchisor states that it does not use a public figure to promote the franchise.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 30 · Item 18 · View Source
19Financial Performance Representations
Item 19 presents historical gross-sales information from franchisee royalty reports. The franchisor says the figures were not audited and do not deduct operating costs or other expenses needed to calculate profit. Results can differ, and written supporting information is available on reasonable request.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 34 · Item 19 · View Source
20Outlets And Franchisee Information
The FDD reports 150 franchised outlets and no company-owned outlets at the end of 2025. The franchised count includes businesses operated by an affiliate. These are historical system counts, not a live map or an indication that a territory is available.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 34 · PDF Page 42 · Item 20 · View Source
Exhibits E and F identify current franchise owners and franchisees who have left the system. The FDD notes that confidentiality obligations may limit what some current or former owners can discuss.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 44 · PDF Page 45 · Item 20 · View Source
21Financial Statements
Exhibit B contains the franchisor’s audited financial statements for periods ending December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023. These describe the franchisor’s finances, not the income a franchise owner can expect.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 45 · Item 21 · View Source
22Contracts
The attached contracts include the franchise agreement in Exhibit C and the form of general release and indemnity agreement in Exhibit H.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 45 · Item 22 · View Source
23Receipts
The receipt records delivery of the FDD and its exhibits. It states that the document must be provided at least 14 calendar days before signing a binding agreement or making a franchise-related payment to the franchisor or an affiliate. The receipt also identifies additional state-specific requirements.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 121 · Item 23 · View Source
Find The Right Business For The Life You Want.
You don’t have to compare every brand on your own. A franchise consultant can help narrow your options and work through what ownership would ask of you.
Bring your questions about this brand, your priorities and the kind of business you want to run.
Your Role
Understand the hours, sales and people responsibilities behind the ownership model.
Your Shortlist
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Your Market
Check territory options with franchisors and identify the next questions to ask.
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