Interim Healthcare Enters Australia

SUNRISE, Fla., Sept. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Caring Brands International, which includes Interim HealthCare Inc., a national network of home care, hospice and health staffing franchises founded in 1966 and known for its continuum of care in the United States, today expands its global operations with the acquisition of Australia-based Just Better Care.  The company is based in Manly, New South Wales, Australia and is a well-known franchisor of in-home non-medical and medical care services in that country. Today's announcement follows the company's initial international expansion last year with UK-based Bluebird Care Franchises Limited.

Just Better Care was founded in 2006 and has one corporate operation and approximately 30 independently owned and franchise operations in major cities in Australia including Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Victoria, Brisbane and Sydney.

"This new strategic partnership with Just Better Care is an extremely good fit for us since the company shares the culture and values of both Bluebird Care and Interim HealthCare," said Kathleen Gilmartin, President and CEO of Interim HealthCare Inc.

The addition of Just Better Care positions the Interim HealthCare family of brands globally for success with more than 530 franchise locations in seven countries, collectively representing nearly $900 million in combined network sales. Caring Brands International is the holding company of Interim HealthCare Inc. and Bluebird Care. 

"The addition of Just Better Care puts us in an excellent position to leverage the experience and diversified services each brand provides to define best practices and use our global size to seize opportunities and grow across several continents. Additional benefits for the three franchise networks include deeper information and experience with nationalized health systems and successful practices focused on private pay and national account plans," Gilmartin said.

Just Better Care Founder and CEO Trish Noakes will remain at the helm of the company as Chief Operating Officer and has retained her entire management team to take the business forward, expanding throughout Australia with a strong network of franchise owners. A team of nine experienced franchisor staff will continue to provide resources and guidance to franchisees and work closely to develop sales and marketing materials to drive profitable growth.

"We're looking forward to joining two such strong companies to offer an international healthcare presence that share the culture of care, accountability and profitable growth that we have here in Australia," Noakes said.

Bluebird Care Chairman Paul Tarsey visited Just Better Care in Sydney with Interim HealthCare executives and noted similarities to Bluebird Care.

"Care delivery in Australia is going through some of the structural changes we saw in the UK a few years ago, and this presents us with a huge opportunity in this exciting and growing market," Tarsey said.

About Interim HealthCare:

Interim HealthCare® Inc. founded in 1966, is a leading national franchisor of home care, hospice and healthcare staffing companies. With Bluebird Care's network, Interim HealthCare's network grows to approximately 500 global locations with more than 250 owner groups. Interim HealthCare in the United States provides healthcare professionals to meet a variety of home health, senior care, hospice, palliative care, pediatric care and healthcare staffing services. Bluebird provides non-medical in-home care. In late 2012, Interim HealthCare entered an equity partnership agreement with The Halifax Group, a private equity firm with specialization in the healthcare vertical.  For more information, visit www.interimhealthcare.com.

About Bluebird Care Franchises Limited:

Founded in 2004, Bluebird Care has more than 180 franchise operations which provide non-medical care services in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Bluebird Care is headquartered in Petersfield, Hampshire, England.

About The Halifax Group:
The Halifax Group is a private equity firm that partners with managers and entrepreneurs to recapitalize and grow lower middle-market businesses across a variety of industries including health and wellness, infrastructure, business and government services and franchising. The firm maintains offices in Washington, D.C.; Dallas, TX; and Raleigh, NC. For more information, please visit www.thehalifaxgroup.com.

Interim HealthCare Inc. entered a strategic equity partnership with The Halifax Group in 2012 to reenergize a plan to expand services and grow Interim HealthCare's footprint in the worldwide home healthcare market.

Media Contact:
Claibourne Smith  
[email protected]  
954-893-9150

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SOURCE Interim HealthCare Inc.