BrightStar Care Franchise News

The Chicago-based provider of medical and non-medical homecare moved up to #21 on the list of fastest-growing franchises in Entrepreneur's 2012 Franchise 500. BrightStar was ranked #41 in 2011.
CHICAGO, IL, February 25, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- For companies struggling in a weak economy, it can be impossible to grow, let alone recover. BrightStar Care is one of the few companies in any industry that bucks the downward economic trends by offering more opportunities for continued entrepreneurship and small-business growth.
The Chicago-based provider of medical and non-medical homecare moved up to #21 on the list of fastest-growing franchises in Entrepreneur's 2012 Franchise 500. BrightStar was ranked #41 in 2011.
"In today's business world, you have to surround yourself with premier people who take pride in the work and go above and beyond normal duties," said Shelly Sun, Co-Founder and CEO of BrightStar Care...

More than 2.2 million Americans have glaucoma, the leading cause of preventable blindness. However, half of them don't even know it.
GURNEE, IL, January 27, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- More than 2.2 million Americans have glaucoma, the leading cause of preventable blindness. However, half of them don't even know it.
During the month of January, National Glaucoma Awareness Month, BrightStar Care, a full-service home healthcare and medical staffing agency, is determined to help raise awareness about this debilitating disease.
According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, most people learn that they have glaucoma during an annual eye exam, reinforcing the importance of routine check-ups to aide in the early detection of glaucoma before permanent vision loss occurs...

January 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO – BrightStar Care®, the fastest growing franchise brand in the senior care industry, was recently identified as one of 25 World-Class Franchises for 2012 by the Franchise Research Institute.
In its tenth year of providing franchise research, the Institute distinguishes the franchisors based upon independent, third-party research conducted with the companies’ franchisees. The companies recognized must receive high scores in areas such as opening support, consistent communication between franchisor and franchisees, initial and ongoing training provided to franchisees, product/service quality, and dedication to overall company excellence.
“It is an honor to receive this recognition, especially because it’s based on how our franchisees view their experience as franchise owners,” said Shelly Sun, Founder and CEO of BrightStar Care®...

Kevin Pignone brought on as Vice President of Field Support
December 13, 2011 // Franchising.com // GURNEE, Illinois – BrightStar Group Holdings, Inc. announces the addition of Brian Schnell as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer, and Kevin Pignone as Vice President of Field Support.
Schnell and Pignone join BrightStar as the company progresses toward becoming a multi-brand franchisor. BrightStar’s flagship, BrightStar Care®, a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides medical and non-medical homecare to private clients within their homes, has 250 locations nationwide and is on target to have more than 300 locations open by the end of 2012. In the next few years, the company plans to add at least five brands that complement BrightStar Care®’s mission of making more possible...

BrightStar Care® offers incentive to military veterans, Reduces franchise fee by $25,000
November 30, 2011 // Franchising.com // GURNEE, IL – Knowing full well that our nation’s veterans are offered few resources for transitioning into the civilian workforce, BrightStar Care® is offering a discounted franchise fee to these returning heroes.
Qualified veterans who approach BrightStar Care® directly will be entitled to a $25,000 reduction in the company’s $47,500 franchise fee. For those veterans utilizing the assistance of a broker, the reward is still powerful – they receive a $2,500 credit toward technology and national advertising fund fees.
This offer is set to expire December 31, 2011...

By Carol Tice
It's an exciting time when a company is growing fast -- but it's also a risky time. If you move too fast, execution can suffer.

One company that seems to be steering clear of the fast-growth pitfalls is national health- and childcare franchise BrightStar Care. The Chicago-based chain has grown to nearly 200 locations and aims to double in size again by the end of next year as it begins to franchise internationally.

Recently, I spoke with Shelly Sun, co-founder and CEO of the Chicago-based company, about BrightStar's rapid expansion and how the company is staying on track. Sun is a high-energy former corporate exec who in February 2010 was named the International Franchise Association's entrepreneur of the year...

CareTogether™ offers online community for families to provide outstanding care for loved ones May 06, 2011 // Franchising.com // GURNEE, Ill. – Bringing a new wave of innovation to caregiving and helping families all around the world, BrightStar Care® announces the launch of a new caregiver support technology.

"CareTogether™" was introduced this week as part of BrightStar Care Co-Founder and CEO Shelly Sun's recent appearance on CBS's Emmy nominated reality television series Undercover Boss. The website, which is available to anyone, anywhere, absolutely free, provides caregiver resources and allows families to build online support networks.

"The way people share is via social media. CareTogether allows families and support networks to engage the way most people are comfortable with these days – via the internet," said Sun...

Their newest product, CareTogether , is a free online community that brings all the tools together for family caregivers to provide outstanding care for their loved ones. CHICAGO, IL, May 01, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- BrightStar Care announced exciting news today emphasizing their commitment to innovation and continuing their pursuit of providing support for caregivers and helping families and all around the world.

Their newest product, "CareTogether " was introduced this week as part of the company's CEO appearing on CBS's hit reality television series Undercover Boss. The website, which is available to anyone, anywhere absolutely free, provides caregiver resources and allows families to build online support networks.

"We're the first to launch an online solution for family caregivers that is completely private and secure, and one that has numerous tools so that families can share, laugh, and care for one another as a team," said Jayson Pearl, Sr...

Their newest product, CareTogether™, is a free online community that brings all the tools together for family caregivers to provide outstanding care for their loved ones. April 29, 2011 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO – BrightStar Care® announced exciting news today emphasizing their commitment to innovation and continuing their pursuit of providing support for caregivers and helping families and all around the world.

Their newest product, "CareTogether™" was introduced this week as part of the company's CEO appearing on CBS's hit reality television series Undercover Boss. The website, which is available to anyone, anywhere absolutely free, provides caregiver resources and allows families to build online support networks...

December 21, 2010 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO – BrightStar, a full-service home healthcare and medical staffing agency, has been named one of the top 500 franchises in the United States, ranking #152 in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500®. This is the first time BrightStar has been ranked by the publication.

The rankings for all 500 companies are determined using an exclusive formula that takes into account objective and quantifiable factors. The most important factors include financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system.

"Since launching our franchising efforts in 2005, we have worked hard to represent BrightStar as a company with outstanding values and a sound business model," said Chuck Bailey, President of BrightStar...

December 16, 2010 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO – BrightStar, a full-service home healthcare and medical staffing agency, announced the launch of its "Hire an Elf" program, designed to reduce the increased emotional and physical stress of caring for aging loved ones and children during the hectic holiday season.

Launching December 9, 2010 and lasting into the first two weeks of the New Year, BrightStar's Hire an Elf™ program can provide the following services to help ease the additional burdens for families of aging loved ones, including: Transportation to appointments and gatherings. Winter Home Safety Assessments for seniors. Shopping for holiday meals or gifts. Decorating homes – inside and out. Companionship or relief for family caregivers...

BrightStar of Essex County receives accreditation by the Community Health Accreditation Program December 08, 2010 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO — BrightStar of Essex County, NJ, a full-service home healthcare and medical staffing agency, was recently awarded national recognition by the Community Health Accreditation Program, Inc., the oldest national, community-based accrediting body.

The CHAP recognizes BrightStar for meeting the industry's highest nationally recognized standards. The company was evaluated on structure and function, quality of services and products, human and financial resources, and long term viability. This is the first year CHAP accreditation has been awarded to BrightStar.

"We are honored to receive this recognition to help position our company for continued growth and long term viability," said Herb Ronde, local owner of BrightStar of Essex County...

BrightStar Franchising, LLC, a full-service healthcare staffing agency announces the appointment of JD Sun as Executive Vice President of Franchise Development. NORTHBROOK, IL, November 18, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- BrightStar Franchising, LLC, a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides medical and non-medical homecare to private clients within their homes, as well as supplemental healthcare staff to corporate clients, announces the appointment of JD Sun as Executive Vice President of Franchise Development.

Sun, who co-founded BrightStar with his wife, Shelly, and most recently played an integral role building sales in company-owned markets, launching franchise sales efforts and leading the company's rebranding efforts to drive franchisee performance, will now lead BrightStar's domestic franchise development efforts...

November 16, 2010 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO – BrightStar Franchising, LLC, a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides medical and non-medical homecare to private clients within their homes, as well as supplemental healthcare staff to corporate clients, announces the appointment of JD Sun as Executive Vice President of Franchise Development.

Sun, who co-founded BrightStar with his wife, Shelly, and most recently played an integral role building sales in company-owned markets, launching franchise sales efforts and leading the company's rebranding efforts to drive franchisee performance, will now lead BrightStar's domestic franchise development efforts.

"I am excited about the opportunity for our owners to have JD in this role, as it was under his lead that many of our processes and relationships within the franchising community began to develop and evolve," said Shelly Sun...

September 29, 2010 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO - BrightStar Franchising, LLC, a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides medical and non-medical homecare to private clients within their homes, as well as supplemental healthcare staff to corporate clients, announces Chuck Bailey as President.

Bailey, who has held various positions with the company since 2006, takes over the responsibility of maintaining and accelerating the growth of the company's LifeCare | KidCare | Staffing business and will guide its international expansion.

"This was an easy decision, the right decision, as we implement a purposeful time plan to take our business to the next level," said Shelly Sun, Co-Founder and CEO of BrightStar Franchising, who will continue to provide her dedicated leadership, while driving the company's strategic vision of developing complementary services to the brand...

Full-service healthcare staffing agency signs first international area development agreement, calls for 23 locations throughout British Columbia and Alberta GURNEE, IL /24-7PressRelease/ -- After nearly six years of exponential franchise growth in the United States, BrightStar, a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides both medical and non-medical homecare, announces its expansion into Canada with the award of a Master Franchise.

âEURœThe growing demand for private home care services provides a tremendous opportunity for BrighStar franchise growth throughout Canada and the world,âEUR said Shelly Sun, CEO and Co-founder of BrightStar. âEURœHaving already anchored ourselves as the premier healthcare franchise in the United States now is the perfect time for us to develop our brand and our presence in the competitive international market...

Full-service healthcare staffing agency signs first international area development agreement, calls for 23 locations throughout British Columbia and Alberta August 31, 2010 // Franchising.com // GURNEE, IL – After nearly six years of exponential franchise growth in the United States, BrightStar, a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides both medical and non-medical homecare, announces its expansion into Canada with the awarding of a Master Franchise.

"The growing demand for private home care services provides a tremendous opportunity for BrighStar franchise growth throughout Canada and the world," Shelly Sun, CEO and Co-founder of BrightStar said. "Having already anchored ourselves as the premier healthcare franchise in the United States now is the perfect time for us to develop our brand and our presence in the competitive international market...

July 13, 2010 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO – BrightStar®, the first franchising company in the United States to specialize in both medical and non-medical care and healthcare staffing, announced today that it has become the first franchisor to receive a credit facility from a new SBA guaranteed lending program created by Franchise America Finance and The Bancorp Bank.

The $6 million facility provides start-up franchisees entering the BrightStar system, as well as expansion funding for existing franchisees that are ready to expand their businesses. An acquisition funding program has also been defined for existing franchisees. This capital allows BrightStar franchisees to help stimulate the economy by creating new permanent and sustainable jobs...

Full-service healthcare company recognized for exceptional marketing success in community

June 02, 2010 // Franchising.com // GURNEE, IL - BrightStar, a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides medical and non-medical homecare and supplemental healthcare staff to corporate clients, has been awarded the 2010 Best of Gurnee Award in the Home Health Care Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community...

BrightStar Launches Alzheimer's Association Partnership Web Page to Educate Families March 25, 2010 // Franchising.com // GURNEE, IL - BrightStar, a full-service home healthcare and medical staffing agency, recently announced their partnership with the Alzheimer's Association, and promoting their Alzheimer's Early Detection Alliance (AEDA) relationship. Through the partnership, BrightStar has launched a partnership web page on their web site in an effort to serve as a resource for the millions of families needing information about this challenging disease.

According to the Alzheimer's Early Detection Alliance, as many as 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's. Every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer's and it is the seventh-leading cause of death in the U...