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October 1, 2026
Is Longevity Centers of America a Franchise? No, and Here’s Why That Matters for Your Care
October 1, 2026
Medically reviewed by Ben Kosubevsky, DO
Overview. I get asked this question all the time. Patients ask it in the lobby. Business partners ask it over lunch. “So, is LCOA a franchise?”
The short answer is no. Longevity Centers of America (LCOA) is not a franchise. Every LCOA location is a physician-owned medical practice managed by LCOA, with one medical board, one set of clinical protocols, and one standard of care for every patient.
I understand why people ask. When you see the same name and the same services in more than one city, “franchise” is the natural assumption. But the difference is not a technicality. It shapes what you can count on at every visit, and I want to explain exactly why.
On This Page
- The Short Version
- What Is a Franchise, Exactly?
- How LCOA Is Actually Structured
- One Medical Board, Every Location
- Standardized Where It Should Be
- Personal Where It Matters Most
- Franchise vs. LCOA at a Glance
- Why This Matters for You
- Frequently Asked Questions
- About the Author and Reviewer
The Short Version
- LCOA is not a franchise. We don’t license our name to independent operators who run a location their own way.
- Every location is a physician-owned medical practice, managed by LCOA. The medicine stays in the hands of practitioners, and the operations stay consistent.
- One medical board sets the clinical standard for every location. The standard of care in one city is the standard in the next.
- Protocols and onboarding are standardized. Your program is not. It is built around you.
What Is a Franchise, Exactly?
Most people picture a fast-food chain, and that instinct is close. In a franchise, an independent owner pays for the right to use a company’s name and follow its playbook, then runs that location as their own business. The company that sold the franchise is usually paid through an upfront fee and ongoing royalties.
That model works well in a lot of industries. It’s just not how we built LCOA.
How LCOA Is Actually Structured
Our structure comes down to two phrases.
Physician-owned.
This means the medical practice belongs to a licensed physician, not to a franchisee. The practice of medicine stays where it belongs, in the hands of practitioners.
Managed by LCOA.
This means the business side runs through one company. LCOA handles operations, staffing, marketing, and the systems behind every visit, and it handles that work the same way at every location.
In healthcare, this is called the management services organization (MSO) model. It lets practitioners focus on medicine while one management team runs the business. In a franchise, an independent owner buys the brand and runs the business themselves. At LCOA, your clinic is owned by a physician, and the business behind it runs the same way everywhere.
One Medical Board, Every Location
For you as a patient, this is the biggest practical difference. Every LCOA location shares one medical board, which sets the clinical standards for all of them.
That matters more than you might think. The people setting clinical standards are the same at every location, so the standard doesn’t shift from one city to the next or when a new location opens.
Wherever you’re seen, the same medical board stands behind your care.
Standardized Where It Should Be
Consistency in medicine is not sameness for its own sake. It means the quality of your care doesn’t depend on which location you choose. At LCOA, two things are standardized across every location.
Clinical protocols.
Every location follows the same clinical protocols, set by the medical board. How we evaluate, test, and treat follows one framework.
Onboarding.
Every new patient goes through the same full onboarding sequence. It’s how we live out our promise: We Listen. We Test. We Heal. Before we recommend anything, we take the time to hear your story and gather real data about what’s happening in your body.
Personal Where It Matters Most
This is the part that surprises people. Standardized protocols do not mean a standardized patient. Every patient gets a personalized program built around their own goals, history, and test results.
That’s the balance I believe good medicine requires. The process should be consistent, so the quality is dependable. The plan should be yours alone, because no two bodies are the same.
A franchise can promise you a consistent brand experience. What matters to us is a consistent standard of care and a plan that’s actually yours.
Franchise vs. LCOA at a Glance
Here’s the difference side by side.
| A typical franchise | LCOA | |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns each location | An independent franchisee who bought the rights | A licensed physician |
| Who runs operations | Each franchisee, within the brand’s rules | LCOA, the same way at every location |
| Clinical leadership | Typically chosen by each owner | One medical board for every location |
| Clinical protocols | Brand standards, applied by each owner | The same at every location, set by the medical board |
| Your plan | Depends on the owner’s approach | Personalized program for every patient, after a full onboarding |
Why This Matters for You
When you choose a longevity clinic, you’re trusting someone with your health. The structure behind that clinic decides who sets the standard for your care and whether that standard holds from one location to the next.
We chose this model on purpose. We want every patient to get the same level of care and the same attention, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, at any of our locations.
So the next time someone asks me whether LCOA is a franchise, the answer is simple. No. We are one team with one medical standard and one commitment to the person sitting across from us. If you’re ready to see what that looks like, schedule a consultation with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions About LCOA and Franchising
Is Longevity Centers of America a franchise?
No. Longevity Centers of America (LCOA) is not a franchise. Every LCOA location is a physician-owned medical practice managed by LCOA, with one medical board and standardized protocols across all locations.
Who owns LCOA clinics?
Each LCOA location is owned by a licensed physician. LCOA manages the business side of every location, which keeps operations consistent across all of them.
Can I buy an LCOA franchise?
No. LCOA does not offer franchises. Every location is a physician-owned practice managed by LCOA.
What is a management services organization (MSO)?
A management services organization handles the business side of a medical practice, such as operations, staffing, and marketing, so practitioners can focus on patient care. LCOA serves as the MSO for its physician-owned practices.
Is the care the same at every LCOA location?
The standard of care is the same. One medical board oversees clinical standards at every location, and protocols and onboarding are standardized. Each patient’s program is still personalized.
Does standardized care mean everyone gets the same treatment?
No. Protocols and onboarding are standardized so quality is dependable. Every patient still receives a personalized program built around their goals, history, and test results.
Why does it matter whether a clinic is a franchise?
A clinic’s structure shapes who sets its clinical standards. In a franchise, each owner typically chooses their own medical leadership, so care can vary by location. Every LCOA location shares one medical board and standardized protocols, which keeps the standard of care consistent everywhere.
About the Author and Reviewer
Kyle Hulbert is the CEO of Longevity Centers of America (LCOA), the management services organization behind physician-owned longevity and regenerative medicine practices in South Carolina and Florida. He co-hosts the Longevity Unlocked podcast and holds a Master of International Business from Hult International Business School.
Ben Kosubevsky, DO, is an osteopathic physician who reviewed this article for medical accuracy. He co-hosts the Longevity Unlocked podcast with Kyle.
See What One Standard of Care Looks Like
Every LCOA location starts the same way: we listen to your story, test to find out what’s really going on, and build a plan around you. Schedule a consultation with our team to get started.
Schedule a Consultation
Kyle Hulbert is the co-founder and operator at The Longevity Centers of America, which he built alongside Dr. Kosubevsky with the mission to drastically improve the lives of millions of people. Drawing on his own transformation as a patient, he designed the practice around accessibility, affordability, and focus on data-driven regenerative care for individuals who have been underserved by conventional medicine. His background bridges academic rigor and practical application. Hulbert holds bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration, is a doctoral trained researcher, and has carried credentials as a Certified Wellness Coach, Certified Nutrition Coach, and Certified Personal Trainer, all through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, as well as an Integrative Nutrition Coach certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and a Dietary Supplement Specialist designation through the Designs for Health, a trusted leader in science-backed wellness solutions. Hulbert also co-hosts a weekly podcast, "Longevity Unlocked," with Dr. Kosubevsky, translating emerging research on detoxification, hormonal health, and regenerative therapies into real-world discussion to better educate individuals about their health.
About Kyle Hulbert
