Heart to Home Meals Debuts at No. 236 on the 2026 Franchise Times 400, Joining the Nation's Largest Franchise Brands

Senior-Focused Meal Delivery Brand Earns First-Ever Ranking as Demand for Aging-in-Place Nutrition Accelerates

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Heart to Home Meals USA, the senior-focused meal delivery franchise empowering older adults to live independently, has earned a place on the 2026 Franchise Times 400 for the first time, debuting at No. 236. The annual ranking of the largest U.S. franchise systems by global systemwide sales places Heart to Home Meals among the country's most established franchise brands.

Compiled through a five-month research and reporting process, the Top 400 is one of franchising's most closely watched benchmarks for brand health. This year's ranked brands generated $784.6 billion in combined sales, up 4.3 percent, with health and medical franchises posting the strongest growth of any sector at 10.9 percent – a signal of how strongly consumers are investing in services that support their well-being.

The debut comes just two years after Heart to Home Meals launched its U.S. franchise opportunity in 2024. Backed by parent company apetito, which generates more than $1 billion in annual global sales and has served seniors since 1958, the brand enters the ranking with the scale of a proven international system and the momentum of a fast-growing U.S. footprint.

"Earning a spot on the Top 400 in our first year of eligibility is a proud moment for our entire team and our franchise partners," said Chris Webb, President of Heart to Home Meals USA. "It reflects decades of work behind our model, but more importantly, the thousands of seniors and families who count on us every week. That trust is what continues to drive our growth here in the U.S."

Building U.S. Momentum

Heart to Home Meals opened its first U.S. franchises in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Naperville, Illinois, in 2025. The pace has quickened in 2026, with new development agreements in Somerset, New Jersey; Durham, North Carolina; and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, bringing the brand to five U.S. franchise agreements.

The brand has paired its expansion with investments in quality and service. Its parent company completed a more than €12 million expansion of its Ottawa production facility to supply the growing U.S. franchise system. Heart to Home Meals also added North Carolina as an approved Medicaid state and was named a 2026 Excellence in Customer Service Award winner by the Business Intelligence Group, recognized for drivers who bring meals inside and check on customers' well-being.

Meeting a Fast-Growing Need

The demand behind that growth is accelerating. The share of Americans age 65 and older is expected to climb from 18.9 percent in 2025 to 23.4 percent by 2060, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Existing resources are struggling to keep pace. Meals on Wheels reports that one in three of its local providers has a waitlist, with seniors waiting an average of four months for meals. At the same time, more than half of individual Medicare Advantage plans offer a meal benefit in 2026, according to KFF. Heart to Home Meals serves both private-pay customers and partners with Medicaid and Medicare Advantage programs, positioning franchisees to reach seniors across income levels.

"This ranking tells prospective franchise partners that they're joining a brand with real scale and staying power," said Richard Peroe, Senior Director of Franchise Development at Heart to Home Meals. "The need for nutritious, home-delivered meals is growing every day, and there simply aren't enough providers to meet it. Our franchisees are stepping into that gap with a model that combines purpose and strong business fundamentals."

Growing With Founding Franchise Partners

Heart to Home Meals is actively seeking qualified franchise partners heading into 2027, with a focus on the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Florida, and Texas. The franchise opportunity features a low investment, no royalties or national marketing fees, and comprehensive training and field support from the U.S. home office. As part of its founding franchisee program, the first 10 U.S. franchisees have their $40,000 franchise fee reinvested directly into local marketing to launch their business.

To learn more about the Heart to Home Meals franchise opportunity, please visit www.HeartToHomeMealsFranchiseUSA.com. The complete 2026 Franchise Times Top 400 ranking is available at https://www.franchisetimes.com/top-400-2026/.

About Heart to Home Meals:

Heart to Home Meals, part of the global apetito group with over $1 billion in annual sales and a legacy of nutrition-focused care since 1958, delivers nutritious, chef-curated meals directly to the homes of older adults. With 150+ menu options tailored to a range of dietary needs, Heart to Home helps seniors age in place with dignity and ease. Since launching in the U.S. in 2019, Heart to Home Meals has grown to serve thousands of seniors each year through a straightforward, community-driven model, where local teams deliver more than just meals by fostering meaningful personal connections. Learn more at www.HeartToHomeMeals.com or www.HeartToHomeMealsFranchiseUSA.com.

Contact: Betty Anne Richardson | Franchise Elevator PR | [email protected] | (847) 945-1300 ext. 245

SOURCE Heart to Home Meals