Mission-Driven Senior Meal Delivery Brand Builds Momentum Through Franchise Expansion, Community Impact, and Partnerships

MARLBOROUGH, MA – Heart to Home Meals U.S.A, the senior-focused meal delivery service franchise empowering older adults to live independently, closed out a foundation-building 2025 with strong momentum going into 2026. Marked by firsts, meaningful community impact, and operational milestones, the year set the stage for U.S. franchise system growth in 2026 and beyond.

With nearly 11,000 Americans turning 65 every day and a growing number of seniors expressing a desire to age in place, the “Silver Economy” represents one of the most significant opportunities of the decade. This demographic shift is creating an urgent need for specialized nutrition. Heart to Home Meals met this demand head-on in 2025, successfully transitioning from company-owned roots to a proven franchise model with the back-to-back openings of its first U.S. territories in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Naperville, Illinois. With this momentum in 2025 and a healthy pipeline going into 2026, this reaffirms the strong demand for providing healthy meals for the growing number of seniors in the United States.

“2025 was about proving the model in real communities and building the right systems to support long-term success,” said Chris Webb, President of Heart to Home Meals USA. “The results we’ve seen confirm that this is a mission-driven business with real impact and strong demand.”

Expanding Access Through Healthcare Programs and Real-World Impact

In 2025, Heart to Home Meals expanded its Medicaid and Medicare-supported programs, officially adding North Carolina as an approved Medicaid state. The brand reached a key milestone, now serving thousands of individuals each and every week.

Beyond numbers, the brand continued to make a meaningful difference in the communities it serves. Through a partnership with The Wright’s Center, Heart to Home Meals is able to provide evening meals to residents across North Carolina, supporting individuals living with dementia. That same community-mindset was why the brand also stepped in to assist residents affected by SNAP benefit delays, ensuring continued access to nutritious meals during a critical time.

Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Long-Term Investment

Behind the scenes, Heart to Home Meals made strategic investments to support responsible and sustainable growth. In 2025, the brand transitioned to recyclable PET and CPET trays, strengthening its commitment to environmental responsibility.

Additionally, the expansion of the Ottawa production facility ensures long-term supply chain stability for both company-owned operations and the growing franchise system. This investment by apetito underscores a long-term commitment to the U.S. market and positions Heart to Home Meals for continued expansion in the years ahead.

Franchise Growth

With strong momentum carrying into the new year, Heart to Home Meals is targeting the addition of 10 new franchisees in 2026, with growth focused on the Northeast, including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, as well as key Midwest markets such as Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. These regions closely mirror the demographic and healthcare characteristics of the brand’s successful company-owned operations in Boston.

“We have taken a much more focused approach for franchise growth specifically targeting areas that have a distinct advantage,” said Richard Peroe, Senior Director of Franchising at Heart to Home Meals. “We are focusing on areas with favorable medical waiver programs, large concentrations of seniors within the market, and markets with brand exposure.”

By the end of 2026, the brand aims to expand into three to four additional states, refine best practices across both franchise and corporate operations, and continue to grow company-owned operations with strong double-digit percentage growth.

A Proven Foundation for Growth

Since first entering the North American market through Canada in 2010, apetito and Heart to Home Meals have become trusted names in senior nutrition, healthcare partnerships, and home meal delivery. Today, apetito operates in seven countries and generates over $1 billion in global annual sales, driven by:

• Award-winning production technology and safety standards
• Expertise in healthcare and senior nutrition across Europe and North America
• Commitment to food-as-medicine innovation, including pureed and texture-modified meals, Queens Award winning range in the UK

The brand’s U.S. franchise opportunity offers:

• Low startup costs
• No royalties or national marketing fees
• Comprehensive training and field support from the U.S. home office
• Reinvested $40K marketing support for the first 10 franchisees

Heart to Home Meals began U.S. franchising in 2024 and is now actively expanding nationwide. To learn more about the Heart to Home Meals franchise opportunity, visit www.HeartToHomeMealsFranchiseUSA.com.

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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.