A continuing relationship in which the franchisor provides a licensed privilege to the franchisee to do business and offers assistance in organizing, training, merchandising, marketing, and managing in return for a consideration. Franchising is a form of business by which the owner (franchisor) of a product, service, or method obtains distribution through affiliated dealers (franchisees).

Franchising is a very successful and expanding method of marketing, selling and distributing goods and services. It combines the skills and experience of the franchisor and the goodwill created by the brand. Correctly bringing together the property rights and the extra financial resources provided, plus the entrepreneurial skills and drive of the franchisee, achieves success.

However, it includes franchising agreements and plans between companies, and decisions made by companies to franchise products or services. It also involves a contractual arrangement between a franchisor (a manufacturer, a wholesaler, or a service sponsor) and a retail franchisee, which allows the franchisee to conduct a given form of business under an established name and according to a given pattern of business.

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This list was compiled by The International Franchise Association and each franchise had to offer a way in for less than $50,000.