Franchising is where one party (Franchisor) grants to another person (Franchisee) the right to operate the business of offering, supplying or distributing goods or services under a system or marketing plan substantially determined, controlled or suggested by the Franchisor, in return for a fee paid by the Franchisee for this service.
It is the photocopying of a successful business that is replicated many times over whilst all using the same name, systems and processes.