Aveanna Healthcare Completes Major Acquisition of Family First Homecare, Issues Upbeat 2026 Guidance
Date: June 2, 2026
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Key Highlights
- Acquisition Completed: Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAH) has completed the acquisition of Family First Homecare, a prominent multi-state pediatric home care provider with a strong footprint in 7 key states.
- Purchase Price & Funding: The deal was concluded for a cash purchase price of \$175.5 million, funded entirely with cash on hand.
- Expanded Geographic Footprint: Family First Homecare operates 27 locations in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Texas, significantly enhancing Aveanna’s presence and density in important markets.
- Revised 2026 Guidance: Aveanna has updated its full-year 2026 financial outlook to reflect the acquisition, with revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance both raised.
Details of the Acquisition
Family First Homecare is recognized for its high-quality, patient-centered clinical care, primarily providing skilled Private Duty Nursing services to pediatric populations. The integration of Family First is expected to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients and families and aligns with Aveanna’s strategic mission to deliver high-quality care to medically complex, high-cost patient populations.
Jeff Shaner, CEO of Aveanna, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, highlighting Family First’s cultural and operational fit, and underscoring the importance of increased geographic density in key states.
Financially, the acquisition was supported by Edge Healthcare Partners (Aveanna’s financial advisor) and Bass, Berry & Sims (legal counsel). Family First Homecare was advised by Baird and J.P. Morgan Securities, with Greenberg Traurig handling legal matters.
Updated Full-Year 2026 Financial Guidance
- Revenue: Expected between \$2.63 and \$2.65 billion, raised from prior guidance of \$2.56 to \$2.58 billion. The increase is directly attributable to the inclusion of Family First Homecare’s revenue, which is forecasted at \$70 million for the year.
- Adjusted EBITDA: Now expected between \$338 and \$342 million, up from previous guidance of \$328 to \$332 million. The \$10 million increase is entirely due to Family First Homecare’s expected Adjusted EBITDA contribution.
- Net Income Guidance: The company continues its practice of not providing net income guidance due to the volatility and unpredictability of certain inputs, such as future fair value adjustments for interest rate derivatives.
Important Information for Shareholders
- Potential Share Price Impact: This acquisition and the upward revision to financial guidance are potentially price-sensitive events likely to positively influence investor sentiment and share value, reflecting the company’s expanding scale and improved financial outlook.
- Strategic Growth: The integration of Family First Homecare enhances Aveanna’s specialized pediatric care offering and operational footprint, which could drive further growth and earnings potential.
- Risks & Forward-Looking Statements: Shareholders should note that Aveanna’s updated guidance and strategic outlook are subject to risks including regulatory changes (notably in Medicaid/Medicare), integration challenges, potential reimbursement pressures, and broader economic conditions. The company’s statements regarding future performance are forward-looking and may differ materially from actual results due to these risk factors.
- Non-GAAP Measures: Investors should be aware that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, are non-GAAP financial measures and may not be directly comparable to industry peers. These are used by management to assess performance, excluding certain non-core or non-recurring items such as acquisition and integration costs, legal expenses, and restructuring charges.
About Aveanna Healthcare
Aveanna Healthcare, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a leading provider of a broad spectrum of pediatric and adult home healthcare services. The company operates in 39 states, offering services including nursing, hospice, school-based occupational nursing, therapy, and day treatment for medically complex and chronically ill patients, in addition to delivery of enteral nutrition and respite care. Aveanna’s business model emphasizes high-quality, cost-effective alternatives to hospitalization.
Conclusion
The successful completion of the Family First Homecare acquisition and the resulting upgrade in full-year 2026 financial guidance represent significant, potentially share price-moving developments for Aveanna Healthcare. Investors should closely monitor integration progress and regulatory developments that may impact future performance.
Disclaimer: This article contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations and projections about future events. Actual results may differ materially due to various risks and uncertainties described in Aveanna Healthcare’s public filings. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Readers should conduct their own due diligence before making investment decisions.
