A Nurse Next Door franchise isn't a storefront — it's a territory-based home-care business built on recurring client-service agreements and a roster of caregivers, run largely from an office rather than a retail lease. Buying or selling one turns on the client relationships and the care team more than on premises, but it still runs through the franchisor's consent, its right of first refusal, and the same disclosure questions as any franchise resale.
Nurse Next Door resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
Price and terms, with conditions built in for franchisor consent, continuity of the territory assignment, and a clear picture of active client-service agreements.
usually 1–2 weeks†Head office reviews the incoming buyer's application and can exercise its right of first refusal instead of letting the sale proceed as negotiated.
several weeks, typically†Courts read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, so a franchisor-facilitated Nurse Next Door resale may still require a full Arthur Wishart disclosure document before you're bound.
assessed early†Getting to closing
Existing client-service agreements are reviewed for consent or notice requirements, alongside assignment of any office lease if one is in place.
2–6 weeks†The incoming owner typically confirms caregiver vulnerable-sector screening standards and completes brand-standard training before the transfer is finalized.
before or shortly after closing†Funds and signed documents change hands, alongside a handover of client and caregiver records and confirmation that franchisor consent and territory continuity are both in hand.
1 day, once conditions are met†Founded in Vancouver; official nursenextdoorfranchise.com confirms numerous active Canada/US locations with territories available for franchising.
Franchises nationally with Ontario territories available; recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures.
This is the first real decision in a Nurse Next Door resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The territory's client-service agreements, its caregiver roster, office equipment if any, and the benefit of the existing franchise agreement, subject to consent. | The shares of the operating company — every territory it holds under the Nurse Next Door banner, and everything it owes. |
| Seller's liabilities | Generally stay behind with the seller's existing corporation. | Generally come with the company, including obligations tied to any other territories it operates. |
| Franchisor consent & ROFR | Required for this specific territory, and typically the pacing condition on the whole deal. | Required for the change of control itself — the franchisor reviews who is actually taking over. |
| Client-service agreements | Reviewed for consent or notice requirements on assignment; client and family relationships are the core of what's being sold. | Stay in place with the corporation, with clients typically notified of the ownership change. |
| Caregiver staffing | Caregiver employment or contractor status is reviewed on the transfer, alongside vulnerable-sector screening standards for anyone continuing to work in clients' homes. | Employment or contractor arrangements generally continue, since the employer entity doesn't change. |
| Typical use in a Nurse Next Door resale | The default for a single territory changing hands. | More common where one operator holds several Nurse Next Door territories under one company. |
The territory's client-service agreements, its caregiver roster, office equipment if any, and the benefit of the existing franchise agreement, subject to consent.
The shares of the operating company — every territory it holds under the Nurse Next Door banner, and everything it owes.
Generally stay behind with the seller's existing corporation.
Generally come with the company, including obligations tied to any other territories it operates.
Required for this specific territory, and typically the pacing condition on the whole deal.
Required for the change of control itself — the franchisor reviews who is actually taking over.
Reviewed for consent or notice requirements on assignment; client and family relationships are the core of what's being sold.
Stay in place with the corporation, with clients typically notified of the ownership change.
Caregiver employment or contractor status is reviewed on the transfer, alongside vulnerable-sector screening standards for anyone continuing to work in clients' homes.
Employment or contractor arrangements generally continue, since the employer entity doesn't change.
The default for a single territory changing hands.
More common where one operator holds several Nurse Next Door territories under one company.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single Nurse Next Door territory changing hands between one buyer and one seller — an established client base, a stable caregiver team, and a straightforward franchisor consent process.
Start my file →An operator selling several Nurse Next Door territories as one company, or a resale where caregiver-team continuity, the franchisor's right of first refusal, or a disclosure question needs to be worked through before terms are final.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
Mostly the client base and the caregiver team. Because this is a service delivered in clients' homes rather than a retail location, diligence focuses on the strength and continuity of active client-service agreements and caregiver retention far more than on real estate or equipment.
Typically, yes — the client-scheduling systems and coordination staff are usually part of the operating business being sold, not separate from it. We confirm what's included in diligence so there's no gap in how care gets coordinated on day one of new ownership.
Client-service agreements are generally reviewed for consent or notice requirements on an ownership change, and clients and their families are typically informed of the transition. Retention through the change is a real business question, though — not something a resale guarantees on its own.
Not necessarily. Ontario courts have read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and franchisor involvement in matching buyer to seller can still trigger a full disclosure requirement. We confirm whether it applies to your specific deal early, rather than assuming it from the word 'resale.'
That's a franchisor decision, not something the resale itself resolves automatically. We can flag your interest in combining territories early in the application so it's addressed alongside franchisor consent, rather than as a separate negotiation after closing.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by Nurse Next Door or its franchisor.
Tell us about your Nurse Next Door resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.