BrightStar Care Moves Up the Ranks of Entrepreneur's Franchise 500® List of Fastest-Growing Franchises

Online, March 2, 2012 (Newswire.com) - For companies struggling in a weak economy, it can be impossible to grow, let alone recover. BrightStar Care is one of the few companies in any industry that bucks the downward economic trends by offering more opportunities for continued entrepreneurship and small-business growth.

The Chicago-based provider of medical and non-medical homecare moved up to #21 on the list of fastest-growing franchises in Entrepreneur's 2012 Franchise 500. BrightStar was ranked #41 in 2011.

"In today's business world, you have to surround yourself with premier people who take pride in the work and go above and beyond normal duties," said Shelly Sun, Co-Founder and CEO of BrightStar Care. "With an outstanding franchise system and hard-working entrepreneurs, our Top 25 ranking is a tribute to their commitment to our company and customer service, and we are ecstatic to be recognized for our continuous growth."

The companies on the list of fastest-growing franchises are ranked based on growth in the number of open and operating U.S. and Canadian units from July 31, 2010 to July 31, 2011. Altogether, the 108 companies that made the ranking added more than 9,600 new North American franchise units during that time period.

BrightStarCare added 80 units.

"As we look back, and more importantly look forward, we do so with a great sense of pride and optimism about what the future holds," added Sun, noting the recent opening of the company's first two Canadian franchises in Ontario and British Columbia.

Through Sun's leadership, BrightStar Care has grown from one corporate-owned location to nearly 250 independently-owned franchises in 38 states and two Canadian provinces since 2005. Company revenues in 2011 were $170 million, a 70 percent increase over 2010.

For more information about the BrightStar Care franchise opportunity visit http://www.brightstarcare.com or call (877) 689-6898.

About BrightStar Care

Based in Chicago, BrightStar Care is a full-service care staffing agency that provides medical and non-medical homecare to private clients within their homes, as well as supplemental care staff to corporate clients. Our well-qualified, attentive caregivers provide peace of mind to clients and their families. We work to understand the needs of our clients and provide a customized care plan to match them with a qualified, pre-screened caregiver who is compatible with their needs. BrightStar Care is one of the few home care providers that offers both medical and non-medical homecare, available to all clients 24/7.

For more information on BrightStar Care®, please visit http://www.brightstarcare.com. To learn more about becoming part of the BrightStar family as a franchisee, visit http://www.brightstarfranchise.com.