De Herbergier

What De Herbergier does

De Herbergier is a Dutch franchise formula for small-scale residential care of people with dementia, founded in 2007 and owned by franchise organization De Drie Notenboomen. The network comprises approximately 55-60 locations across the Netherlands, each operating as an independent franchise run by two cohabiting care entrepreneurs (zorgondernemers) who are life partners. One of the two entrepreneurs is required to be a BIG-registered nurse with extensive care experience. Each home serves 16-24 residents with dementia or memory problems who can no longer live independently at home, all of whom require a WLZ (Wet Langdurige Zorg) indication for 24-hour care. The model emphasizes small-scale living, open-door policies, personal attention, and community integration — residents shop at local stores, visit neighborhood cafés, and participate in community events. Each location is required to reserve at least three rooms for residents with low income (e.g., only AOW state pension), making the model accessible across income brackets.

The franchise organization provides training, coaching, and ongoing support on finance, quality, marketing, and operations to franchisees. Revenue is generated at two levels: at the franchisor level through franchise fees and support services, and at the location level through WLZ-funded care payments (via personal budgets or zorg in natura) and resident-paid accommodation costs from personal funds, AOW, or pension. The company employs various roles across locations including Verzorgende IG, Verpleegkundige, Helpende, Huishoudelijk medewerker, Gastvrouw/gastheer, Activiteitenbegeleider, Kok, and Nachtdienst medewerker, with individual locations employing teams of approximately 30-33 staff. The company won the Zorgvernieuwer (Care Innovator) prize from VGZ Zorgverzekeraar in 2025 and announced a strategic partnership with Sociale Benadering and Professor Anne-Mei The in June 2026.

De Herbergier has no proprietary technology platform, AI/ML capabilities, or digital health technology. The company is a people-intensive service business with traditional care delivery; its 'technology' consists of a website with location finder, email newsletter, and social media presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Marketing relies on word-of-mouth, GP and case manager referrals, regional media coverage, and webinars for prospective franchisees. The franchisee's moat is operational and relational rather than technological — built on 24/7 presence of familiar caregivers, community embeddedness, and a differentiated care philosophy around freedom, warmth, and personal attention.

Name

De Herbergier

Legal name

De Herbergier

Website

https://herbergier.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

De Herbergier is a Dutch franchise formula of 55+ small-scale residential care homes for 16-24 people with dementia each, operated by cohabiting care entrepreneur couples. Founded in 2007 and owned by De Drie Notenboomen, it operates across the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Dementia Care

NAICS

Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Assisted Living with Memory Care (Mixed Campus) (HLADABAB)

Keywords

• Small-scale dementia care
• Residential elderly care
• Franchise care homes
• Memory care services
• Dementia nursing homes

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices30 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. WLZ-funded Care Services: Healthcare costs are covered through the Wet Langdurige Zorg (WLZ - Long-term Care Act). Residents require a WLZ-indication (indicatie) for 24-hour care. Care is paid via persoonsgebonden budget (PGB - personal budget).
2. Residence/Living Costs: Accommodation costs are paid from residents' own funds, AOW (state pension), and/or pension. Each Herbergier has at least three rooms designated for people with low income (e.g., only AOW). A discount arrangement makes living possible for those with limited income.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

De Herbergier operates a franchise formula of small-scale residential care homes for 16-24 people with dementia across the Netherlands. Each location is independently run by two cohabiting care entrepreneurs (life partners) who live on-site and provide personalized, warm care with an open-door policy. The franchise formula is owned by De Drie Notenboomen, which provides training, coaching, and operational support to the roughly 55+ franchised locations.

Product overview

De Herbergier is a franchise formula for small-scale residential dementia care, consisting of approximately 55+ locations across the Netherlands. Each Herbergier is an independent franchise run by two live-in care entrepreneur couples, providing care for 16-24 residents with dementia in a warm, home-like setting. The core offering combines residential care services with personalized attention, open-door policies, and integration into local communities. The franchise is owned by De Drie Notenboomen, which provides operational support, training, and quality monitoring to franchisees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• De Herbergier Franchiseformule (Franchise Formula)
• Wonen in de Herbergier (Residential Living at Herbergier)
• Zorgondernemerschap (Care Entrepreneur Franchise Program)

Quantifiable outcome

• Customer satisfaction 2025: 9.0 out of 10
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sociale Benadering (Anne-Mei The)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Strategic cooperation between Sociale Benadering and De Herbergier officially sealed on June 1, 2026 with a ceremonial signing. Anne-Mei The is Professor of Long-term Care and Social Approach. The partnership aims to further develop the Social Approach within De Herbergier care model.
• Local General Practitioners (Huisartsen)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEach Herbergier collaborates with a local general practitioner for healthcare delivery. Example: Herbergier De Maashorst works with Dr. Hanneke van Kollenburg-de Smit with weekly in-person or telephone consultations. Herbergier Etten-Leur works with Dr. Sebastiaan Haze. GPs appreciate the efficient triage by trained staff.
• Specialists in Geriatric Medicine (Specialisten Ouderengeneeskunde)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHerbergiers work with specialists in geriatric medicine (SOG) for complex cases, particularly behavioral issues. Example: Piet IJpelaar supports Herbergier Etten-Leur; Hans van den Broek supports Herbergier De Maashorst. SOGs provide independent perspective on patient care.
• ROC (Regional Training Centers)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHerbergier Tiel works with ROC (regional training center) and is recognized as a work-learning company. Provides training opportunities for students in healthcare professions.
• SPEELS-method creators (Freya Flach and Hanneke van de Pol)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPEELS-method developed by Freya Flach and Hanneke van de Pol based on experiences with people with faltering brains and improvisational theater techniques. Provides positive, person-oriented contact with people with dementia. Part of the training curriculum for entrepreneurs and staff.
• Pharmacies (Apotheken)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHerbergiers maintain relationships with local pharmacies for medication management. Pharmacists participate in multidisciplinary consultations (MDOs) to review cases from all angles.
• Cultural InstitutionsminorOthersHerbergier Tiel aims to establish sustainable cooperation with cultural institutions in Tiel such as Zinder and the library. Goal is to involve residents in cultural activities and create natural connections with the community.
• De Drie NotenboomencoreOthersDe Drie Notenboomen is the franchise organization (franchisegever) that owns the De Herbergier franchise formula. Provides training, coaching, advice on finance, quality, marketing, and ongoing support to franchisees (care entrepreneurs).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Thebe: Large Dutch elderly care organization in West-Brabant offering dementia care, home care, and nursing services. Comparable resident base and Dutch geographic overlap with broader service portfolio.
• Kennemerhart: Dutch regional care organization providing elderly and dementia care in the Kennemerland region. Overlaps with De Herbergier on small-scale residential dementia offerings but with broader services.
• Cordaan: One of the largest elderly and dementia care providers in the Amsterdam region. Overlaps with De Herbergier on dementia care but operates at much larger scale across multiple modalities.
• Carintreggeland: Major Dutch care provider in Twente region offering elderly, dementia, and home care services. Comparable Dutch market position and dementia focus as part of broader service mix.

Direct peers

• Vivium Zorggroep: Operator of De Hogeweyk dementia village and broader Dutch elderly care services. Directly comparable as a Dutch small-scale dementia care provider and the most prominent operator of a similar model.
• Hogeweyk (De Hogeweyk): Dementia village in Weesp, Netherlands, pioneering small-scale, homelike living for people with severe dementia. Operated by Vivium Zorggroep. Directly comparable as one of the most recognized small-scale dementia concepts globally, sharing De Herbergier's emphasis on normalcy, freedom, and small resident cohorts.
• Stichting tanteLouise: Dutch care organization in Bergen op Zoom / West-Brabant specializing in small-scale residential care for elderly with dementia. Comparable focus on personalized, small-group living and similar target resident profile within the same Dutch market.
• Archipel Zorggroep: Dutch care organization in Eindhoven region offering small-scale group living for people with dementia. Comparable Dutch small-scale dementia residential model with similar resident cohorts.
• Land van Horne: Dutch care organization providing small-scale dementia and elderly care across the Limburg and Brabant regions. Comparable small-scale residential dementia model and Dutch geographic focus.

Emerging players

• Green House Project: US-based small-house nursing model pioneered by Bill Thomas for elder care, including dementia. Conceptually parallel to De Herbergier's small-scale, homelike philosophy though operating in a different regulatory and funding environment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DeHerbergier.official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/de-herbergier
• Instagraminstagram.com/de_herbergier

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about De Herbergier