You must purchase and use the Technology Infrastructure we develop or select, including all future updates, supplements, and modifications. The Technology Infrastructure we anticipate your Agency will need to open and operate includes 4 desktop computers or laptops running current Microsoft Windows operating system and associated peripherals, including monitors, office suite and other software, local network router, other network accessories, a printer, a scanner, and any installation services to install in your office. We require that all computers utilize disk encryption software, which on some computer brands is available at no additional cost. The Technology Infrastructure also includes systems and software operated by BrightStar Technology Group for your use, including the Athena Business System, Microsoft Dynamics GP accounting software, other related software solutions, and other third-party software. The recommended mobile tablets with a keyboard and/or laptops for your Director(s) of Nursing to use in conjunction with ABS Mobile, other related software solutions, and the Technology Infrastructure are used to record and analyze all clinical, business and accounting information for the operation of your Agency. In connection with your use of certain Microsoft software products, you must sign the Microsoft Dynamics GP Software Agreement to be Bound, a copy of which is attached to this Disclosure Document as Exhibit G. From time to time, we may enter into additional agreements with software vendors that will require your acceptance of their license agreements. We reserve the right to designate changes or enhancements to the Technology Infrastructure used in your Agency, the computer hardware, software, and other equipment. When we designate the change or enhancement to the Technology Infrastructure, you may be required to make certain payments to us or our designated suppliers. You will have 3 months to install and commence use. You must procure your accounting software and cash application and collection software from us or any third party we designate and the Athena Business System and its successors from us or one of our affiliates, currently BrightStar Technology. You alone are responsible for maintenance and support of your local computer equipment and mobile devices. You are not required to use a CRM system
From the filings
BrightStar Care
Health servicesBrightStar Care's 2026 FDD puts core agency software under headquarters control: franchisees must run the Athena Business System and Microsoft Dynamics GP as designated by HQ. The system spans 427 home-care agencies, 396 of them franchised.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Ordinary royalty terms
5.25% component; full terms unconfirmed
Complete royalty terms are not confirmed for the selected filing.
Recorded percentage components
These are recorded percentage components. Each has its own base and conditions; the chart does not state the total payment or confirm ad-fund completeness.
1recorded components (FY2026)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
1 technology requirement is recorded in this filing. A required choice lists alternatives for one obligation. Read each cited clause for its conditions.
General Marketing Beginning on the Deducted monthly Fee Opening Date of the from your bank Agency, the greater account via EFT. of $500 per month or 2.5% of the prior month’s Net Billings. (See Note 2) Monthly Athena Beginning on your Deducted monthly Excludes third-party Business System Agency’s Opening from your bank approved solutions (i.e., and Email Service Date (including for a account by Microsoft Enterprise Fee Medium Density and BrightStar Package, Hireology, Small Market Technology via CRM, payroll, EVV Agency), you will EFT. (Electronic Visit pay the higher of Verification), $250 per month or HR/workforce, or 1% of the prior WorkBright), which may month’s Net Billings. incur a separate fee. See (See Note 3) Note 3. (If we collect payment on a third party’s behalf, we will do so on a pass-through cost basis.) Microsoft Enterprise Beginning on the date Deducted monthly This package is required Package the package is from your bank for owners of Franchisee, provided (including account by but optional for for a Medium BrightStar additional staff members. Density and Small Technology via The per-user, per-month Market Agency), you EFT starting the fee is over and above the will pay $14.50 per day your Agency Monthly Athena seat for the Microsoft opens. Business System and Enterprise Package as Email Service Fee noted described in the above. (See Note 4) (If Microsoft Enterprise we collect payment on a Package Addendum third party’s behalf, we (subject to change will do so on a pass- upon written notice). through cost basis.) We may increase the monthly
General Marketing Beginning on the Deducted monthly Fee Opening Date of the from your bank Agency, the greater account via EFT. of $500 per month or 2.5% of the prior month’s Net Billings. (See Note 2) Monthly Athena Beginning on your Deducted monthly Excludes third-party Business System Agency’s Opening from your bank approved solutions (i.e., and Email Service Date (including for a account by Microsoft Enterprise Fee Medium Density and BrightStar Package, Hireology, Small Market Technology via CRM, payroll, EVV Agency), you will EFT. (Electronic Visit pay the higher of Verification), $250 per month or HR/workforce, or 1% of the prior WorkBright), which may month’s Net Billings. incur a separate fee. See (See Note 3) Note 3. (If we collect payment on a third party’s behalf, we will do so on a pass-through cost basis.) Microsoft Enterprise Beginning on the date Deducted monthly This package is required Package the package is from your bank for owners of Franchisee, provided (including account by but optional for for a Medium BrightStar additional staff members. Density and Small Technology via The per-user, per-month Market Agency), you EFT starting the fee is over and above the will pay $14.50 per day your Agency Monthly Athena seat for the Microsoft opens. Business System and Enterprise Package as Email Service Fee noted described in the above. (See Note 4) (If Microsoft Enterprise we collect payment on a Package Addendum third party’s behalf, we (subject to change will do so on a pass- upon written notice). through cost basis.) We may increase the monthly
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
26 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 4 explicit no's; 4 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
You must use the Athena Business System (“ABS”), the accounting software we designate (currently, Microsoft Dynamics GP, also referred to as the Great Plains accounting software), the learning management software we designate (to support federal, state, and local license training requirements and other matters), the…
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
We reserve the right to independently access all information collected or compiled by or in accordance with your use of the Athena Business System, Great Plains, or other software used in your Agency’s operation.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Upon our request, you must prepare and send us signed reports and returns of Net Billings, bank statements, quarterly unaudited financial statements, use and gross receipt taxes, and complete copies of any business and personal state or federal income tax returns covering the Agency’s operation and such other reports…
How the franchisor buys
Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?
YesFranchise agreement
We, our affiliate, and/or a third party may be one of several, or the only, approved supplier of any item.
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesFranchise agreement
We reserve the right to change or modify the Licensed Marks, the Agency concept, the Operations Manual, and any proprietary software we require you to use.
How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?
6175995Item 8
Based on its internal records, during the year ended December 28, 2025, our affiliate, BrightStar Technology Group, LLC, derived revenue in the amount of $6,175,995 from required franchisee purchases.
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
An approved supplier, Quill, currently pays us compensation in the form of volume rebates based on the purchases you make for office supplies, ink & toner, cleaning & breakroom, and general practice supplies.
Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?
82Item 8
We estimate that the costs of your purchases from designated or approved sources, or according to our standards and specifications, are approximately 91% of the total cost of establishing your Agency and approximately 82% of the total cost of operating your Agency (excluding field staff costs) after that time.
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 8
We may charge you up to $5,000 for the evaluation if we ultimately approve the supplier.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you wish to purchase from an unapproved supplier any item or service designated to be purchased only from an approved supplier, you may request our evaluation of a proposed supplier, a description of the item you wish to purchase, and purchase price of the item, if known.
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesFranchise agreement
Immediately cease using all telephone numbers and listings used in operating the Franchised Business and direct the telephone company to transfer all such numbers and listings to us or our designee pursuant to the Conditional Assignment of Telephone Numbers attached as Exhibit I or, if we direct, to disconnect the…
Franchise management
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesFranchise agreement
5.14 Inspection of Agency Premises We and our agents have the right to enter upon the Premises, without notice, at any reasonable time to inspect the Premises, your books, records, computer hardware and software, 26 BRIGHTSTAR CARE (2026 FA) ACTIVE 714445261v9 and other business equipment.
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesItem 8
We have the right to change our standards and specifications, including those for products, services, signs, and medical supplies, by written notice to you or through changes in the Operations Manual.
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 12
You will operate your Agency from a location we approve (“Approved Location”).
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesFranchise agreement
Except as we expressly permit, you may not maintain a Web Site, as defined below, or otherwise maintain a presence or advertise using any public computer other than on the Web Site we host pursuant to the ABS.
Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?
YesFranchise agreement
Beginning on your Agency’s Opening Date, you must expend for local consumer marketing the greater of: (i) 1.5% of your Agency’s monthly Net Billings up to $200,000 (for a 4-week month or $250,000 for a 5-week month) and 0.5% of your Agency’s monthly Net Billings over $200,000 (for a 4-week month or $250,000 for a…
Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?
YesFranchise agreement
You also agree to participate at your sole expense in all client loyalty, caregiver engagement, gift certificate, and similar programs we create.
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesItem 8
Currently, you must use our designated suppliers for medical supplies (where alternative sources of supply are unavailable), marketing materials, credit card processing services, payroll services (unless we approve your request to use an alternative supplier), drug screening, insurance brokerage for all types of…
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
You must purchase all signs, uniforms, drug screening services, and medical supplies (where alternative sources of supply are unavailable) from us, designated suppliers or approved suppliers.
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
Currently, you must use our designated suppliers for medical supplies (where alternative sources of supply are unavailable), marketing materials, credit card processing services, payroll services (unless we approve your request to use an alternative supplier), drug screening, insurance brokerage for all types of…
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesItem 6
All Royalties will be collected via EFT 28 days after the end of the weekly billing period.
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesItem 15
You must have a full-time salesperson making daily sales calls.
Must employees wear uniforms specified by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
All employees engaged in operating your Franchised Business during working hours must dress conforming to our standards, must present a neat and clean appearance (wearing our uniforms, if required) in conformance with our reasonable standards, and must render competent, empathetic service to your Agency’s clients.
Point of sale
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We reserve the right to independently access all information collected or compiled by or in accordance with your use of the Athena Business System, Great Plains, or other software used in your Agency’s operation.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesFranchise agreement
We may require your owners, branch manager/operations manager, DON, and/or sales manager to attend these programs and/or courses.
Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?
YesItem 11
We require you to attend the Annual Conference and pay our then-current registration fees.
The filing answers no to 4 questions
- Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?Item 11
- Must the franchisee participate in a customer-satisfaction or net-promoter survey program?Franchise agreement
- Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?
- Must the franchisee use a CRM system designated or approved by the franchisor?Item 11
The vendor opportunity at BrightStar Care
BrightStar Care operates 427 home-care agencies, 396 franchised and 31 company-owned, headquartered in Illinois as part of BrightStar Group Holdings alongside affiliate BrightStar Senior Living Franchising. Franchised outlets grew 6.166% year over year, and the FDD's Item 19 includes a financial performance representation for the system.
Who controls software purchasing
Item 11 shows BrightStar Care's headquarters designates the Athena Business System, accounting software, learning management software, and revenue cycle management services directly, rather than leaving them to franchisee discretion. Chris Kapcar, Chief Technology Officer, and Brandon Allison, Chief Financial Officer, are the officers closest to that technology and procurement spend. Andrew Ray serves as CEO, with Dean Ulizio as Chief Strategy Officer and Pete First as Chief Development Officer.
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required
BrightStar Care requires franchisees to use the Athena Business System (ABS) and its designated accounting software, currently Microsoft Dynamics GP, also known as the Great Plains accounting software. The filing also designates a learning management system for license training and revenue cycle management services, currently True North, along with required supporting hardware and software. Franchisees are not required to run a CRM system, but if they choose to, they must license it from BrightStar Care's designated supplier, and BrightStar provides free seats outside Medium Density Market territories. Owners must take the Microsoft Enterprise Package, and Item 6 names Hireology and WorkBright among third-party approved solutions. Franchisees must also purchase their own computer hardware and software infrastructure for local office use, including computers running current Microsoft Windows, plus any state-specific software their location requires.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
BrightStar Care's Item 8 approved-supplier list requires franchisees to buy medical supplies, marketing materials, credit card processing, payroll services, drug screening, insurance brokerage, and email from designated suppliers, with a required vendor partner for SEM/PPC advertising. Payroll software may be sourced from an alternative vendor with BrightStar Care's written approval. The initial franchise term is 10 years; Item 17 allows three additional 5-year renewal terms, conditioned on timely notice, full compliance, satisfying monetary obligations, a renewal fee, and signing the current franchise agreement.
How to read the BrightStar Care FDD
The embedded PDF viewer below carries BrightStar Care's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document in full, including the Item 11 technology clauses and Item 8 supplier terms referenced above. Talk to FranCloud for a ranked target list of franchise systems that match your product's fit.
Ordinary royalty terms
Complete royalty terms are not confirmed.
Questions vendors ask
BrightStar Care, answered from the filing
Read the filing itself
Read the original document for the filing figures and their terms, page by page. Buy the original PDF to download, search, and annotate it.
View only A one-time purchase: the original filing, yours to keep.
FDD alert
Tell me when this brand refiles.
Request an email alert when a newer filing for BrightStar Care is available.
Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
264 operators run 264 mapped locations. 0 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Top states by locations
| CA | 31 |
|---|---|
| FL | 25 |
| TX | 23 |
| PA | 16 |
| IL | 15 |
Ownership
The portfolio behind BrightStar Care
Ownership: BrightStar Group Holdings.
Sibling brands
Related Health services brands
Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Read the original filing for definitions, conditions, and qualifications.