Bluebird Care
Financial Plan
Liquid capital
The amount you need to secure the necessary loans.
Total investment
Total Investment to launch the business, including initial fees (£45,000 plus VAT)
The Concept
- Year of creation
- 2004
- Implantations
- 200+ franchises (UK and Ireland)
A private home care franchise network of more than 200 offices, started as a family business in 2004
Bluebird Care started as a family business in 2004 and has grown into a network of more than 200 franchises across the UK and Ireland, serving over 20,000 customers with around 10,000 Care Professionals. Citing LaingBuisson’s 2024 market share figures, it describes itself as the largest private home care provider in the UK and Ireland by turnover.
Its model focuses mainly on privately funded care rather than local authority work. Each franchise partner receives a territory sized by population, household numbers and age demographics, and more than 30 franchisees now run more than one territory.
A franchise with long onboarding support
New franchise partners complete eight days of training, including two to three days with a franchise mentor learning the day-to-day running of the business. A dedicated onboarding manager then supports them for the first 24 months, alongside a central marketing team working on campaigns, digital, social media and PR to generate care enquiries and recruitment applications.
Bluebird Care says HSBC, NatWest, RBS and Lloyds Banking Group are all willing to lend up to 70% of the total investment. Candidates can open in an available new territory or take over an established business through a resale when an existing franchise partner exits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Bluebird Care franchise cost?
A new start-up franchise package costs £45,000 plus VAT. With start-up costs and working capital, Bluebird Care says the total investment is typically £160,000 to £180,000.
Can you get funding for a Bluebird Care franchise?
Yes. Bluebird Care says HSBC, NatWest, RBS and Lloyds Banking Group are all willing to lend up to 70% of the total investment. That would leave around £48,000 to £54,000 to fund personally; this is a derived figure.
How much can a Bluebird Care franchise make?
Bluebird Care does not publish an average. It says franchise partners should aim to turn over more than £1 million within three years, that its more mature businesses reach up to £6 million a year, and that established businesses typically achieve operating profits of 8% to 12%. These are targets and ranges rather than network averages.
How many Bluebird Care franchises are there?
More than 200 across the UK and Ireland, according to Bluebird Care, serving over 20,000 customers with around 10,000 Care Professionals. More than 30 franchisees run more than one territory.
Does Bluebird Care focus on private or council-funded care?
Mainly private. Bluebird Care says its business model primarily provides privately funded care rather than local authority care.
What training does Bluebird Care provide?
Eight days of franchise partner training, including two to three days with a franchise mentor, followed by a dedicated onboarding manager for the first 24 months and ongoing marketing support.
Can you buy an existing Bluebird Care franchise?
Sometimes. As a mature network, Bluebird Care occasionally has franchise partners who want to sell, and candidates can ask whether any resales are available near them, alongside new territories.
When was Bluebird Care founded?
Bluebird Care started as a family business in 2004 and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024.
You represent Bluebird Care?
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