Right At Home franchisee Ryan Naegele lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with his wife and kids. He spends most days working on his business or with his amazing family. He loves Right At Home because he is able to help families by providing peace of mind that their aging loved ones can live independently and safely with their help.
Ryan owns 3 Right At Home franchise locations. His first opened in Chattanooga, TN in 206, his second in Cleveland, TN in 2021, and his most recent in Maryville, TN in 2024. He has 225 employees total at all three locations.
What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise?
I have started businesses independently before; however, as we looked at the home care space, I felt that franchising offered structure, support, and a proven model—while still letting me build something of my own. It felt like a smart way to enter an industry in which I did not have prior experience.
When researching franchises, what criteria mattered to you most? How did your franchise meet that criteria?
I wanted a business with long-term demand, recurring revenue, and a purpose beyond just making money. Home care checked all of those boxes, especially as our population ages. It also gave me the chance to build a team and a culture, which mattered more to me than I expected.
Financing can be an obstacle and/or intimidating factor for aspiring entrepreneurs. How did you find financing options to purchase your franchise?
I know that franchise costs can vary quite a bit; however, we focused on finding a company that we were able to start as a family without taking on outside debt.
Which of your prior skills and experiences do you use in operating your business today?
Leadership, problem-solving, and building revenue from zero were all experiences I had and was excited to put to use in building my Right at Home business. I also rely heavily on financial awareness and people management—especially in a people-driven business like home care. Experience has taught me that listening is often more valuable than having the perfect answer.
During your research, did you use FBR’s website to compare franchise opportunities? What other resources did you use?
Yes, FBR was helpful for narrowing the field and understanding what was out there. I also spent a lot of time reviewing FDDs, talking directly with franchisees, and asking as many questions as possible. Real conversations were the most valuable part of the process.
When doing your research, which questions did you ask the franchisees?
I wanted to know what a normal day-to-day actually looked like when owning a Right At Home franchise. I asked about challenges, support, profitability, and whether they’d do it again knowing what they know now. Honest answers mattered more than perfect ones.
Which questions did you ask Right At Home?
I focused on initial owner training, ongoing support, and how they help franchisees when they are looking to exit their business. I also wanted to understand how success is measured and how involved they stay after launch. Long-term partnership potential and the people I met mattered more than a “perfect sales pitch.”
What were your first 90 days like as a franchisee?
It was a whirlwind at first, just trying to make sure that all the jobs of the business were getting done—even if there were only two of us doing those jobs. Getting out and telling our story was the most fun aspect of the business for me. I was proud that we had started something that we knew would have a big impact on the community, even if we were brand new. During the first 90 days, we were building systems and relationships that are still going strong almost 10 years after we opened our first office.
At what point did you feel like you “got the hang of it” and settled in as a business owner?
Once revenue was able to support all of our fixed costs and I could confidently take home enough money to support my family, that was probably the first time I felt like I was “getting the hang of it.” I stopped feeling like every decision was brand new, and confidence replaced some of the early stress. That’s when the business started to feel less chaotic and more intentional.
How does the franchisor support and encourage your success?
The support comes through training, coaching, and access to a network of other franchisees who’ve already made the mistakes you’re about to make. There’s a strong culture at Right At Home of sharing and problem-solving together. Knowing you’re not alone makes a big difference.
What are you most proud of and why?
I’m most proud of building a business that serves families during some of their most important moments. Seeing clients cared for well and team members grow into leadership roles is incredibly rewarding. In addition, our economic impact in our community has been unbelievable- it reminds me why the long days were worth it.
What advice would you give to potential franchise owners?
Ask a lot of questions and be honest with yourself about what kind of business owner you want to be. Choose a franchise that fits your life—not just your spreadsheet. And remember, the model helps, but success still comes down to showing up and doing the work. Always be humble enough to know that you don’t know everything—the most successful business owners I’ve met still show up to every meeting with pen and paper, taking more notes than anyone else in the room.
More About the Right At Home Franchise Opportunity:
The senior care industry is booming, and Right At Home is at the forefront. Each year, they survey their franchisees and receive top marks in franchisee satisfaction. This past year, our unbiased data was used to rank them on the following lists:
- Top Franchises for Culture
- Most Recession-Resistant Franchises
- Most Profitable Franchises
- Top Franchises for Veterans
- Top 200 Franchise of 2026
It’s no surprise that franchisees are highly satisfied and successful. They offer comprehensive franchise support, including a highly-rated two-week initial training program at the company’s headquarters in Omaha. Additionally, their Online Marketing Specialists (OMS) manage franchisees’ website content and structure, as well as social media posting and strategy.
Are You Interested in Becoming a Right at Home Franchise Owner?
Many Right at Home franchise owners deeply value the opportunity to fulfill their passion and give back to their community while building wealth and achieving their professional goals. To learn more about the Right at Home franchise opportunity and receive a free Right at Home franchise kit, call 866-350-9770 or visit rightathomefranchise.com.
