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Franchising

Franchising is where a company (called the franchisor) gives someone the right to sell its products and use its trademarks. The person or business that buys this right is called the franchisee. The franchisee usually pays the franchisor an upfront fee and a percentage of the profits.

KFC

KFC

  • Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), which is part of the TacoBell Group is an example of this.
  • Many KFC’s all over the world are not owned by KFC but instead owned by individuals who pay a fee and percentage of the profits to KFC. This lets them use the KFC brand name and the “original recipe”.
Advantages of franchising

Advantages of franchising

  • The business can expand without needing large amounts of investment. The firm does not incur the costs involved with opening new stores.
  • The business also does not have to be concerned about some of the risks of becoming a larger corporation, for example, diseconomies of scale (which may be caused by the growth from opening and operating new stores themselves).
  • Franchising increases brand awareness of the firm’s products or services.
Disadvantages of franchising

Disadvantages of franchising

  • A disadvantage of franchising is that the franchiser does not have complete control over how they operate.
  • If a franchise is run badly, then a single franchise or store can negatively affect the brand image.
Joint ventures

Joint ventures

  • A joint venture is when two or more businesses agree to work together on a particular project while remaining separate entities.
  • They often share resources, risks, and profits.
Advantages of joint ventures

Advantages of joint ventures

  • Businesses can share costs and risks of a large project.
  • Each business can bring different skills, expertise, and resources.
  • It can allow a business to enter new markets more easily by partnering with a local firm.
Disadvantages of joint ventures

Disadvantages of joint ventures

  • Profits have to be shared between the partners.
  • There may be disagreements between the businesses.
    • For example, over decision-making or management style.
  • The objectives of each partner may be different, which can lead to conflict.
Example

Example

  • Sony and Ericsson created a joint venture in 2001 to make mobile phones.
    • Combining Sony’s electronics expertise with Ericsson’s telecoms knowledge.
Jump to other topics
1

Understanding Business Activity

1.1

Business Activity

1.2

Classification of Businesses

1.3

Enterprise, Business Growth & Size

1.4

Types of Business Organisation

1.5

Business Objectives & Stakeholder Objectives

2

People in Business

3

Marketing

3.1

Marketing & the Market

3.2

Market Research

3.3

Marketing Mix

3.4

Legal Controls

4

Operations Management

5

Financial Information & Decisions

6

External Influences on Business Activity

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