By Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
The expansion of Heart to Home Meals into Durham reflects a growing response to one of North Carolina’s most significant demographic shifts.
With one in five residents now aged 65 or older and projections reaching nearly 2.7 million seniors by 2040, demand is accelerating for services that help older adults remain independent in their homes. Across the Research Triangle, that demand has translated into steady franchise growth, following an earlier entry into Raleigh and now an expansion into Durham.
Though the brand is relatively new in the United States, its foundation is decades in the making. The company originated in Canada in 2007 and operates under the Global Apetito Group, a Germany-based, family-owned food producer that has specialized in nutrition-focused meals since 1958.
The organization now operates across multiple countries and serves a wide range of institutions, including hospitals, schools, care facilities, and home-delivery programs serving seniors and vulnerable populations.
As Senior Director of Franchise Development Richard Peroe explained, “And they’re in about seven different countries right now, and most of them in Europe.” He also described the scale of the parent organization more broadly: “They truly are a global food producer.”
That international structure directly shapes how the U.S. model operates. Rather than building from scratch, the American rollout draws on established systems used in Canada and the United Kingdom, where home-delivered meals have operated at scale for years.
Peroe noted that early U.S. development required refinement before expansion, stating, “We took a year to get all the lessons learned.”
The COVID-19 period further shaped the U.S. approach, slowing franchising plans but also revealing gaps in senior care and post-discharge support. That led to a more targeted rollout beginning in 2024, with North Carolina emerging as one of the earliest and most active growth markets.
A key difference in the U.S. system is how quickly it has integrated with local healthcare and funding pathways compared to earlier international expansions. In North Carolina, for example, Medicaid approval processes allowed faster onboarding than in some Northeastern markets, enabling earlier reach into communities with high senior populations and limited access to traditional meal programs.
The food itself also reflects a distinct advantage tied to the company’s Canadian production system. Much of the meal supply originates from Canada, where ingredient standards are stricter in certain categories than in the United States. This results in meals with fewer additives and preservatives, which supports the company’s positioning around medically aligned nutrition for older adults. The product line is designed around health-specific needs, including low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, renal, and heart-focused diets.
Peroe emphasized the customization built into the system: “We have meals that are high in fiber, as you’d imagine.” He added, “We have meals that are low in sodium.” He also noted, “We have meals that are specific for heart-friendly diets,” and “We have renal-friendly diets.” Together, these options allow seniors and caregivers to tailor meal plans based on medical needs rather than a one-size-fits-all menu.
That flexibility extends into how meals are selected and delivered. Customers can adjust ordering based on preference and dietary requirements, creating what Peroe described as a system where “you can really kind of cut and slice and dice your meal plan as you’d like to.”
North Carolina has become a central testing ground for this model. The first U.S. franchise launched in the Rocky Mount–Raleigh region, led by a former pharmacist who recognized the gap in care for seniors transitioning from hospital to home.
That early success helped establish a broader footprint across the Research Triangle, now extending into Durham as part of continued statewide growth.
For Peroe, the appeal of the franchise model is rooted in both business opportunity and personal impact.
“I love franchising. I love helping people get involved in businesses. I love seeing them start and chase a dream. And being able to support them and help them grow a business and really, truly make a difference.”
He also tied the company’s mission directly to its community role, stating, “And Heart to Home Meals truly is making a difference in the communities.”
Operationally, the service goes beyond food delivery. Drivers are trained not only to deliver meals but to bring them inside, interact with customers, and support consistent check-ins with seniors who may be living alone. That relationship-based approach has become a defining feature of the brand as it expands into new regions.
In North Carolina specifically, franchise operators have reported that demand has exceeded early expectations, particularly in rural counties where access to traditional meal services is limited.
Looking ahead, company leaders see North Carolina as a cornerstone of their U.S. growth strategy, with additional expansion already being explored in markets like Wilmington, Charlotte, and the Triad. “We’ve got more to come in North Carolina,” Peroe said.
For families and seniors, access remains straightforward: users enter a ZIP code at hearttohomemeals.com to determine availability, browse meals online, and place orders without subscriptions or minimum commitments. Those on Medicaid can be guided through case managers who can determine eligibility for in-home support services. Franchise opportunities remain open through HearttoHomeMealsFranchiseUSA.com or by contacting Peroe directly at richard.peroe@hearttohomemeals.com
