5 Excellent healthcare franchises to invest in

Getting involved in the healthcare industry doesn't always mean spending years in medical school; you can approach it from a business standpoint instead. The five best healthcare franchises to consider include SOS Franchising, Able Autism, ACT, High-5, and Essentials Speech and ABA. These brands were selected among the best franchises in their field based on their owner support capabilities, structure models, franchise entry costs, and how they help owners handle competition among each other.

Investment in a healthcare franchise means building on a strong business model with high market demand. Whether you're handling autism care or mental health services, there's steady customer need nationwide, and being a franchise owner comes with built-in help from finding the right location to clinically trained staff. 

Best Overall Startup Support: SOS Franchising 

Success On The Spectrum was the first ABA therapy franchise in the U.S. and remains the largest. Founded in 2015 by an Autism Mom, SOS has stayed connected to its mission. Today, 25% of franchise owners are also Autism Parents.

As you invest in a meaningful business, you'll have assistance in finding the perfect spot for your business, from layout blueprints to branding decor.

You don't need formal ABA experience to own an SOS franchise. Support begins before your center opens, with guidance on site selection, center design, construction, licensing, credentialing, insurance contracting, recruiting, and launch preparation. Owners and key staff also complete an intensive two-week training program at SOS's Houston corporate office.

Once open, franchisees receive unlimited virtual support throughout the life of the franchise agreement, along with established policies, operational tools, employment resources, marketing materials, recruiting support, and university partnerships.

SOS also provides ongoing quality assurance, continuing education, operational guidance, and reputation management, helping franchisees navigate changing regulations, payer requirements, and industry conditions while building a meaningful business in their community.

Best Territory Protection: Able Autism

One of the drawbacks of opening a franchise may be oversaturation from nearby internal competition. Opening a healthcare franchise with Able Autism comes with built-in protection through exclusive territory zoning for each owner that prevents this issue. 

Your designated territory is based on a 100,000 population ratio or a 5-mile radius. If you decide to expand, you'll be able to do so within your existing territory, making long-term growth more convenient. The brand is expanding nationwide and maintains a clear expansion map so new potential owners can see which territories are open before joining.

Having enough space gives your franchise a chance to market itself properly and become the known Able Autism service in your area. You'll also receive help from Able Autism in marketing catering to your chosen area.

Best Multidisciplinary Model: Essentials Speech and ABA

Do you desire to run a service business in diverse community care? If so, Essentials Speech and ABA may be the one. 

This business model lives up to its name by providing:

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Speech Therapy
• Occupational Therapy

This multi-disciplinary therapy approach covers collaborative care in one location. The target group of 18-month-olds to 6-year-olds can feel comfortable and thrive as they get to know your franchise team and avoid dealing with too many different providers.

You can still fit into this specialized healthcare franchise ownership even without a background in this field. Choose between being a part-time executive overseeing the leadership team or being more active in daily operations as an owner-operator.

Part of your Essentials Speech and ABA support package is a ready-made staff of:

• Office managers
• Board-certified Behavior Analysts
• Registered Behavior Technicians
• Speech-language Pathologists
• Occupational Therapists

Best Low-Cost Entry: Hi-5 ABA

If you are a licensed behavior analyst looking to start your own practice, Hi-5 offers a starting franchise investment for as low as $17,000. However, the total investment may increase to $110,000 when you consider added fees and the specific location. 

Other financial benefits of joining the Hi-5 healthcare brand include participating in the referral program. You can get between $2,000 and $5,000 per successful referral.

Even with the low cost, you still get support for developing business plans, claims processing, and recruiting staff. You're free to implement your autism-based treatment plans and grow at your own pace. Hi-5 will only franchise to licensed professionals.

Best Clinical Focus: ACT

Becoming a franchise owner at Autism Care Therapy (ACT) allows you to provide comprehensive clinical services to cover many needs in your community. 

Children and adults up to age 20 use the franchise's clinical care that includes:

• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• ABA therapy
• Mental health counseling 

The mental health care component is for children, adults, parents, and families navigating emotional or behavioral changes or managing them in loved ones in the home. 

Your services can help them with:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Trauma
• Major life transitions

The team at Autism Care Therapy uses a personalized care plan that may include individual or family counseling, or referrals to additional healthcare providers. There are also telehealth counseling options to make it more convenient.

This franchise understands and considers the needs of parents and caregivers handling children with autism. Tailored training services help them handle autism care and encourage positive behaviors at home.

Case management services at Autism Care Therapy (ACT) help families navigate community services available outside of clinical walls. It may involve personalized care with school support and medical coordination.

Make a Mark in Your Community with a Healthcare Franchise

Opening a healthcare franchise can be the start of a thriving business in a market that has stability and demand. While you can focus on autism or family health options on this list, you can continue to expand into home health services catering to an aging population and other specialties. 

The business model has advantages as investors receive blueprints that can help with building staff, marketing, and daily operations. Many, such as SOS Franchising, come with solid brand recognition that makes your franchise instantly recognizable as soon as you open up in your new region. 

You don't need a medical degree or years of expensive schooling to get in on this market when you approach it from an owner-operator or CEO leadership model.

Expand your knowledge of business opportunities and medical professions to consider by reviewing more guides on our website.

This article was prepared by an independent contributor which helps us continue delivering quality content to our audiences.