TL;DR
A Place At Home plans to make franchise buybacks and joint ventures a larger part of its growth strategy following its acquisition by Dovida in February 2026. Co-founder Dustin Distefano says the company aims to complete five corporate conversions by year-end and is targeting further franchise growth, though the longer-term shift toward corporate revenue is a projection.
A Place At Home plans to expand its use of franchise buybacks and joint ventures after its acquisition by Dovida, a shift that would bring more location revenue under corporate operations. Co-founder Dustin Distefano told Home Health Care News the strategy is intended to support growth while giving franchise owners a route to sell or retain a minority stake.
Distefano said the company aims to complete five corporate conversions by the end of 2026. It also plans to open 10 additional locations during 2026 and is seeking to complete 17 franchise deals by year-end, he told Home Health Care News. The company’s target for 2027 is to add 20 franchise locations.
The buyback approach focuses on acquiring high-performing franchise businesses outright, while joint ventures allow owners to keep a minority ownership stake and potentially continue as general managers. Distefano said owners may choose to sell because of age or a major life change, and that a corporate purchase can offer a clearer exit route. The option does not mean a franchise owner will necessarily sell.
A Place At Home currently earns about 60% of its revenue through franchising, according to Distefano. He said he expects the balance could eventually shift, with 70% coming from corporate operations and 30% from franchising. That is a projection, not a reported current revenue mix or a firm timetable.
More Revenue From Owned Locations
The strategy would change how A Place At Home grows: alongside signing franchisees, it would take direct ownership of some locations or share ownership with local operators. Distefano said revenue from corporate-operated locations can contribute more to the company’s margins than franchise royalties, although the report provided no financial figures comparing the two models.
For franchise owners, buybacks and joint ventures may offer additional choices when they want to leave or reduce their role. For Dovida, the approach is part of developing its newly established North American presence. Whether acquisitions and shared-ownership deals produce stronger results will depend on the performance of each location and the cost and terms of taking it over.
Dovida’s First U.S. Expansion
Dovida acquired Omaha-based A Place At Home in February 2026, marking Dovida’s first expansion into the United States. Distefano was named chief operating officer of franchise operations at Dovida North America after the deal. A Place At Home provides non-medical in-home care, care coordination, and Alzheimer’s and dementia care across 22 states.
Before the acquisition, the company’s model centered on franchising while also offering high-performing local operators potential corporate buybacks or joint ventures. The ownership change prompted a revised corporate growth strategy, Distefano told Home Health Care News. The report also described the company’s first branded corporate conversion, in Jacksonville, Florida, which opened in July. Distefano said it nearly doubled in size after converting, attributing the change to sales and recruitment efforts; the report did not provide figures or independent verification of that result.
“That’s a major part of our growth strategy next year, because all of the profits that come from those locations get consolidated with us.”
— Dustin Distefano, A Place At Home co-founder and Dovida North America franchise operations chief operating officer
Targets Are Not Completed Deals
The plans and revenue mix described by Distefano are company targets and expectations. The report does not say how many buybacks or joint ventures have already been completed, identify potential transaction terms, or provide a timeline for the projected 70% corporate-revenue share. It also does not provide financial results showing the effect of corporate conversions on margins.
It remains unclear how many franchise owners will choose to sell or enter joint ventures, and whether the company can meet its location and franchise targets. Distefano’s account of the Jacksonville location’s growth was not accompanied by operating data in the report. The extent to which caregiver recruitment and training can support the planned expansion is also not specified.
Year-End Conversion and Deal Goals
A Place At Home’s near-term milestones are its goal of five corporate conversions and its targets for 10 additional locations and 17 franchise deals by the end of 2026. The company has also set a goal of adding 20 franchise locations in 2027. These figures were presented as plans, not completed outcomes.
Distefano said the company is also prioritizing live-in care, referral partnerships, caregiver recruitment and workplace culture. It plans to use information about clients’ diagnoses and care needs to shape further caregiver training. The company’s progress on conversions, franchise agreements and staffing will help show how much the post-acquisition strategy is changing its operating mix.
Key Questions
What is A Place At Home changing after the Dovida acquisition?
It plans to increase franchise buybacks and joint ventures, alongside continuing to add franchise locations. The company says corporate ownership can consolidate more revenue than a royalty-based franchise arrangement.
How do the joint ventures work?
According to co-founder Dustin Distefano, a franchise owner may retain a minority stake and may continue working as the location’s general manager. Specific deal terms were not reported.
What growth targets has the company set?
A Place At Home aims to complete five corporate conversions, open 10 additional locations and complete 17 franchise deals by the end of 2026. Its target for 2027 is 20 additional franchise locations.
Does A Place At Home already earn most of its revenue from corporate locations?
No. Distefano said about 60% currently comes from franchising. His projection that corporate operations could eventually account for 70% of revenue is a future expectation, with no timetable specified.
Why might a franchise owner sell back to the company?
Distefano said some owners may be older or facing a major life change. A buyback may give them a way to exit, but an available option does not mean an owner has agreed to sell.
Source: rss
