franchise

noun fran·chise \ ˈfran-ˌchīz \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Definition of franchise

1 : freedom or immunity from some burden or restriction vested in a person or group

2 a : a special privilege granted to an individual or group; especially : the right to be and exercise the powers of a corporation

b : a constitutional or statutory right or privilege; especially : the right to vote

c (1) : the right or license granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services in a particular territory; also : a business granted such a right or license

just opened a new fast-food franchise down the street

(2) : the territory involved in such a right

3 a : the right of membership in a professional sports league

b : a team and its operating organization having such membership

He's the best player in the history of the franchise.

See franchise defined for English-language learners

See franchise defined for kids

Examples of franchise in a Sentence

She was granted an exclusive franchise in the city's west end.
They just opened a new fast-food franchise down the street.
The U.S. did not extend the franchise to women until the early 20th century.
He's the best player in the history of the franchise.

Recent Examples of franchise from the Web

As always, check to make sure your local franchise is taking part in the discounts and promotions.

— natalie dreier, ajc, "Celebrate National French Fry day with what else, french fry deals," 13 July 2018
Riley needs a whale (or two) to lift his franchise and carry it forward.

— greg cote, miamiherald, "Melo to Miami? How Heat’s interest in Carmelo Anthony reveals one team’s desperation," 11 July 2018
That future just won their franchise their first World Series.

— will leitch, Daily Intelligencer, "Nobody’s Going to Sports in Person Anymore. And No One Seems to Care.," 11 July 2018
But even though Richardson’s tenure with the franchise ended in disgrace, the statue will not be removed.

— lorenzo reyes, USA TODAY, "Panthers 'contractually obligated' to keep Jerry Richardson statue, new owner David Tepper says," 10 July 2018
With that out of the way, let’s cheer up New York Knicks fans who were displeased with the franchise selecting Kevin Knox out of Kentucky with the 9th overall selection last month.

— charles curtis, For The Win, "Knicks rookie Kevin Knox is a posterizing dunk machine in Summer League," 9 July 2018
Game after game throughout his 17 seasons with the franchise, Parker sacrificed his body to produced points.

— tom orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, "Parker’s fearless drives won’t be forgotten," 6 July 2018
Pruitt tried to hook his wife up with a Chick-fil-A franchise.

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "A Running List of Scott Pruitt’s Biggest Scams," 3 July 2018
As Ring's contract situation lingered longer than expected, his future with the franchise suddenly wasn't so clear.

— kevin johnston, Indianapolis Star, "New everything for Indy Eleven this season, but same old Brad Ring," 3 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'franchise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of franchise

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from franchir to free, from franc free — more at frank

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

franchise Synonyms

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

franchise

verb

Definition of franchise

franchised; franchising

transitive verb

1 archaic : free

2 : to grant a franchise to

See franchise defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of franchise from the Web

However neither's average salary will top the $17.1 million that Dallas' Demarcus Lawrence and Detroit's Ziggy Ansah, both franchised earlier this year, are scheduled to pull down in 2018.

— nate davis, USA TODAY, "Who will be NFL's first $20 million defender? Rams' Aaron Donald, Raiders' Khalil Mack best bets," 9 May 2018
All products are available through Athalonz’s website, and they are affiliated with the national D-BAT training facilities franchise, two of which are located in Mesa and Peoria.

— georgann yara, azcentral, "Athalonz's Tim Markison helping make sports 'healthy for the future'," 28 June 2018
Cauldron currently has four locations, two of which are franchised, including the 1,600-square-foot Kearny Mesa shop.

— hang nguyen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Cauldron, home to the viral 'puffle cone' ice cream, opens first San Diego shop," 8 June 2018
One important decision the team made was to start franchising the store in 2015.

— NBC News, "How Woops! Macarons became a business by accident," 20 June 2018
Doncic's extensive international play, from his under-18 and under-20 teams, gives NBA franchise a good way to track his progress, Blake said.

— jason jones, sacbee, "Is Luka Doncic worth the risk? Why the Kings might be best equipped to make that call," 15 June 2018
Dyl began working at the Middletown, Rhode Island, franchise three days a week as a prep cook in August 2014.

— zoe miller, Good Housekeeping, "An Applebee's Franchise Hasn't Paid a Man With Autism for Nearly a Year," 23 Oct. 2015
Gossip Girl, Big Little Lies, even The Real Housewives franchise: All these shows zero in on the catty behavior among its protagonists, who are, by and large, women.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "The Bold Type Is TV's Best Depiction of Female Friendship," 12 June 2018
The company, which began franchising in 2014, is growing quickly.

— wesley case, baltimoresun.com, "Vegan bakery Cinnaholic to open in Hampden in early June," 23 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of franchise

see ¹franchise

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

FRANCHISE Defined for English Language Learners

franchise

noun

Definition of franchise for English Language Learners

: the right to sell a company's goods or services in a particular area; also : a business that is given such a right
: the right to vote
sports : a team that is a member of a professional sports league

franchise

verb

Definition of franchise for English Language Learners

: to offer the right to sell (your company's goods or services) in a particular area

Law Dictionary

franchise

noun fran·chise \ ˈfran-ˌchīz \

legal Definition of franchise

1 : a special right or privilege granted by the government to an individual, group, or business entity: as

a : a right to conduct a business and especially to be and to exercise the powers of a corporation

b : a right granted to a public utility company to provide services and to use public land for that purpose

2 : a constitutional or statutory right; especially : the right to vote —used with the

restricting them in employment, education, the franchise, legal personality, and public accommodation
—W. H. Burns

3 : a right or license that is granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services in a particular territory under the company's trademark, trade name, or service mark and that often involves the use of rules and procedures designed by the company and services (as advertising) and facilities provided by the company in return for fees, royalties, or other compensation; also : a business granted such a right or license

ran a fast-food franchise

4 a : an amount of liability (as a percentage or sum) specified in an insurance contract below which an insurer disclaims liability and above which the insurer assumes total liability — compare deductible

b : group insurance covering fewer than the minimum number of participants required by law for such coverage