What best describes a franchise?

A franchise is best described as a business that operates under the name and established methods of a parent company. This relationship allows the franchisee to leverage the brand recognition, marketing support, and operational systems developed by the franchisor, thereby increasing the chances of success compared to starting a wholly independent business. The franchisee pays a fee or royalties to the franchisor, which enables them to use the company’s trademark and business model.

This arrangement not only provides the franchisee with a proven business structure but also generally includes support in areas such as training, purchasing, and advertising. The interoperability between the franchisee and franchisor is essential, as it maintains the standards that customers expect from the brand. Thus, option B effectively encapsulates the nature of a franchise, emphasizing the reliance on the parent company’s established reputation and practices.