# franchise

/ˈfɹænˌtʃaɪz/ (US) · /fɹˈɑːntʃaɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/franchise
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. business model

noun · CEFR B2

a right given by a company to a person or group to sell its products or services in a specific area.

For teachers: a commercial authorization granted by a corporation to an individual or group, enabling them to carry out specified commercial activities.

- He decided to open a fast-food franchise because the brand was already famous.
- The entrepreneur evaluated several franchise opportunities, weighing the high initial investment against the security of an established supply chain.

Usage: Often used with 'open', 'buy', or 'operate'.

### 2. media/entertainment

noun · CEFR B2

a series of related films, books, or games that share the same characters or world.

For teachers: a collection of related intellectual property across various media, typically authorized by a single copyright holder.

- The superhero franchise has released over twenty movies in the last decade.
- The studio's most profitable franchise expanded into theme parks and merchandise, ensuring long-term revenue beyond the box office.

### 3. the right to vote

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the legal right to vote in a public election.

For teachers: the constitutional or statutory right to vote in public elections; often referred to as 'the franchise'.

- In the early 20th century, many women fought to gain the franchise.
- The expansion of the franchise was a pivotal moment in the country's transition toward a more inclusive democracy.

### 4. sports team

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a professional sports team that is part of a league.

For teachers: a professional sports organization that is a member of a league, particularly in North American sports structures.

- The city was excited to finally have its own basketball franchise.
- The league decided to award an expansion franchise to the city after seeing the high demand for professional hockey in the region.

### 5. to grant rights

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to give a person or company the right to sell your products.

For teachers: to grant a franchise to an individual or group; to authorize the distribution of goods or services under a brand name.

- The company plans to franchise its coffee shops across Europe next year.
- By choosing to franchise the business model rather than owning every location, the corporation achieved rapid international growth with minimal capital risk.

Usage: Transitive verb taking a direct object.

## Examples

- He decided to open a fast-food franchise in his hometown.
- The studio is looking for a new director to lead the next installment of their most profitable horror franchise.
- While the initial investment for a well-known franchise is substantial, the established brand recognition significantly mitigates the risks typically associated with launching a new independent business.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.