franchising

1. 1
   noununcountable

   The act of establishing, granting, or using a franchise.

   Franchising allowed the burger company to expand across the country without owning every location.

   The lawyer specializes in the contracts that govern franchising between brands and local operators.

   Similarlicensing

   Note

   Business English uses it for a whole model of growth: a franchisor licenses its brand and operating methods to independent franchisees, who pay fees or royalties to run outlets under that system. It is usually uncountable (franchising has spread), though the plural franchisings exists. Unlike the verb form, it takes no direct object, so you say the franchising of a brand.

2. 2
   verb

   Present participle and gerund of franchise.

   The chain is franchising aggressively to reach new markets.

   By franchising its model, the firm grew without heavy investment.

   Note

   A form that does two grammatical jobs: the progressive verb (the chain is franchising) and the gerund naming the activity (by franchising its model). As a gerund it still takes a direct object, which separates it from the noun for the business arrangement. Behind it stand several senses of franchise: conferring powers, granting rights to sell or distribute, and a rare use meaning to set free, close to enfranchise.

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