Production Facility Expansion Supports Growth of Meal Delivery Service for the Elderly
- Heart to Home Meals, a meal delivery service for seniors who are aging in place, has announced a major production facility expansion.
- The $12.8 million expansion, completed by Heart to Home Meals’ parent company, apetito, supports the brand’s supply chain and U.S. franchise growth.
- Heart to Home Meals serves a population of seniors that is rapidly growing as a result of a declining birth rate, increased longevity and aging Baby Boomers.
As the U.S. elderly population surges, so does the need for services for seniors aging in place. In response to the demand, Heart to Home Meals U.S.A., a meal delivery service tailored for older adults, has announced the major expansion of a production facility that supports its supply chain, as well as U.S. franchise growth.
The $12.8 million expansion, completed by Heart to Home Meals’ parent company, apetito, adds more than 9,900 square feet of production space, including a new spiral freezer for enhanced meal quality and consistency, and modernized packaging lines including advanced Mondini technology.
This enhanced site will serve as one of the primary production and supply facilities for Heart to Home Meals’ growing U.S. franchise systems, ensuring that American customers receive the same chef-prepared, nutritionally balanced meals as the brand provides to thousands of seniors across Canada and Europe.
Commitment to Sustainable Growth
Company officials say the production facility expansion reinforces apetito’s commitment to sustainable growth, operational excellence and innovation in meal preparation across North America.
“Every meal that reaches a customer’s table is backed by the expertise, quality and care of one of the most trusted food producers in the world,” says Heart to Home Meals U.S.A. President Chris Webb. “For our U.S. franchise owners, this investment means peace of mind. This expansion reinforces that while we’re a new franchise opportunity in the United States, we’re powered by decades of proven experience and a global commitment to quality.”
Heart to Home Meals, launched in the U.S. in 2019 and franchising since 2024, is backed by apetito’s legacy of nutrition-focused care dating back to 1958. Since entering the North American market through Canada in 2010, apetito now operates in seven countries and has more than $1 billion in global annual sales. The company boasts award-winning production technology and safety standards, expertise in health care and senior nutrition across Europe and North America, and a commitment to food-as-medicine innovation including pureed and texture-modified meals.
An Aging Population
In the United States, a declining birth rate and increased life expectancy, in addition to the large number of Baby Boomers now in their 60s and 70s, have contributed to an aging population, according to the Pew Research Center, which reports that the share of Americans ages 65 and older has increased from 12.4% to 18% between 2004 and 2024.
The vast majority of elderly Americans want to continue living independently in their homes, which results in increased demand for a variety of services including nutritious meal delivery, according to AARP.
Heart to Home Meals has grown to serve thousands of seniors every year who are aging in place by offering them more than 150 menu options tailored to a range of dietary needs. But the brand’s community-driven model provides for more than meals delivery as local teams also foster meaningful personal connections.
Franchise Expansion Across the U.S.
By preparing meals at the Ottawa facility — rather than outsourcing production, as is the practice of many meal delivery services — apetito Canada and Heart to Home Meals gain many advantages over competitors, including:
- Using local chefs who understand North American tastes.
- Avoiding shortcuts in nutrition and safety by using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
- Achieving consistency, scalability and authenticity through a model that includes flash-freezing each meal to lock in flavor and freshness.
“Franchisees want to know they’re joining a brand with the infrastructure to deliver on its promises,” says Senior Director of Franchise Development Richard Peroe. “The Ottawa expansion is a clear sign of that. As we continue building our system, we’re fueling the growth of every future Heart to Home Meals franchise across America by creating a foundation for sustainable expansion. We are excited by the ability to reach even more seniors with the care, connection and delicious meals they deserve.”
Now expanding nationwide, the Heart to Home Meals U.S. franchise opportunity includes the following:
- Low startup costs.
- No royalties or national marketing fees.
- Comprehensive training and field support from the U.S. home office.
- Reinvested $40,000 marketing support for the first 10 franchisees.
To learn more, visit Heart to Home Meals or Heart to Home Meals Franchise USA.
