Interim Healthcare Goes Global
U. S. Home Health and Hospice Franchise Expands Internationally with Acquisition of UK-Based Bluebird Care Franchises Limited
SUNRISE, FL — September 17, 2013 — 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, has gone global with the acquisition of UK-based 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. Today’s announcement increases Interim HealthCare’s global presence to approximately 500 locations and 250 franchise owner groups in 6 countries, for a combined network sales of more than $850 million.
“Last fall, we announced we intended to explore international expansion as one of our high priority growth opportunities,” said Kathleen Gilmartin, President and CEO of Interim HealthCare Inc. “Bluebird Care mirrors our mission and core values with a solid culture of care and a scalable business model delivered by a strong network of franchisees and we are very excited about our future together” Gilmartin said Interim HealthCare Inc. and Bluebird Care will continue to operate as separate entities, each under their own brand names, in their respective countries. Each company will continue to operate with their leadership teams to drive their initiatives and growth strategies. Bluebird Care founders, Paul and Lisa Tarsey, and Simon Dalziel (who joined the company in 2006 to lead franchise development), will continue in leadership roles in the company. “Our growth has been aggressive since we began franchising in 2006,” said Paul Tarsey, Bluebird Care Founder and Managing Director. “We are very excited by this strategic partnership with such an experienced healthcare franchisor as Interim. Bluebird Care will now have access to knowledge and shared best practices in care delivery, training, marketing and financial benchmarks to fuel innovation and improve efficiencies in both brands.” Today’s news comes less than a year after Interim HealthCare Inc. entered a strategic equity partnership with The Halifax Group, a private equity firm with expertise in the healthcare vertical, which reenergized a plan to expand services and grow Interim HealthCare’s footprint in the worldwide home healthcare market.
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 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.
