franchise

/ˈfræntʃaɪz/
noun
  1. A business model in which a company (the franchiser) gives an individual or group (the franchisee) the right to sell its products or services in a specific area.
    • Many coffee shops operate as a franchise rather than a standalone business.
    • She bought a fast-food franchise and opened her own restaurant.
    • The franchise agreement requires the owner to follow strict brand guidelines.
  2. The right to vote in public elections.
    • In many countries, the voting franchise was extended to women in the early 20th century.
    • The struggle for the franchise was a key part of the civil rights movement.
    • Every citizen over 18 has the franchise to vote in national elections.
  3. A series of related movies, books, or other media that share a brand or universe.
    • The studio plans to launch a new superhero franchise next year.
    • Video game franchises often release sequels every few years.
    • The Harry Potter franchise includes books, films, and theme parks.
verb
  1. To grant a license to an individual or group to operate a business under a company's brand and system.
    • The company decided to franchise its successful restaurant chain nationwide.
    • The brand has franchised over 200 locations in the past decade.
    • They franchise their business model to entrepreneurs who want to open their own stores.
Synonyms
What does "franchise" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean