franchise

play

noun fran·chise \ˈfran-ˌchīz\

Definition of franchise

1 : freedom or immunity from some burden or restriction vested in a person or group
2a : a special privilege granted to an individual or group; especially : the right to be and exercise the powers of a corporationb : a constitutional or statutory right or privilege; especially : the right to votec (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
3a : the right of membership in a professional sports leagueb : 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

The Enquirer brings you the 50 most influential people in Bengals history through various forms of media, bringing you the names and untold stories that shaped this franchise over its first half century -- good, bad and ugly.

— jim owczarski, Cincinnati.com, "Bengals 50: Bill Walsh, a Bengals innovator who won titles elsewhere", 5 July 2017
The heir to a hotel-and-movie franchise, the feckless David Schine had reportedly pulled D’s in his first year at Harvard.

— marie brenner, The Hive, "How Donald Trump and Roy Cohn’s Ruthless Symbiosis Changed America", 4 July 2017
The failure of First NBC Bank in April led to Hancock Holding Co. acquiring its branches, deposits and loans as part of its Whitney Bank franchise.

— greg larose, NOLA.com, "See the bank branches closing from the Whitney takeover of First NBC", 3 July 2017
A home care and medical staffing franchise in Huntsville is under new ownership.

— lee roop | lroop@al.com, AL.com, "Bama tailgating, amusement park, Hollywood in AL.com business news", 30 June 2017
But like other steadfast franchise rules, Berg and Harberts will nix that guideline in favor of a more modern approach.

— laura bradley, HWD, "How Game of Thrones Inspired Star Trek: Discovery", 30 June 2017
The Chiefs’ ability to attract the best outside candidates is crippled, in part because of the unprecedented timing and nature of firing a GM in late June after the franchise’s best four-year run in two decades.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "Sam Mellinger: Why Chiefs owner Clark Hunt should promote from within for his next GM", 28 June 2017
Ever since the local NBA franchise acquired the original Hornets name in 2014, after New Orleans switched to the Pelicans, fans have wondered when the original uniforms might come in as an alternate.

— rick bonnell, charlotteobserver, "Will Charlotte Hornets return to original pinstripes and pleats?", 26 June 2017
In the mid '60s, Gene Roddenberry created a show that would become one of the most important sci-fi franchises in history.

— matt miller, Esquire, "The New Star Trek Show Will Break One of Its Creator's Cardinal Rules", 25 June 2017

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!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Business Terms

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

franchise

verb fran·chise

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

So was born the Yellow Cab Company, which Herz soon franchised across America.

— ed wallace special to the star-telegram, star-telegram, "Sandor Herz’s mobility company", 23 June 2017
Photos of Fred Hoiberg, the 19th coach in Bulls franchise history.

— david haugh, chicagotribune.com, "Bulls do right thing, realize time to move on and trade Jimmy Butler", 22 June 2017
Bustos, too, is offering campaign workshops, looking to franchise her success.

— francine kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, "A Democrat shows how to win over Trump voters", 20 June 2017
Founded in 2000 by Heidi Ganahl, now a member of the University of Colorado’s Board of Regents, Camp Bow Wow began franchising in 2003 and was acquired by animal hospital company VCA Inc. in 2014.

— emilie rusch, The Denver Post, "Camp Bow Wow’s new corporate offices in Westminster take dog-friendly to the next level", 12 June 2017
In a list of land costs shared with SDSU, the FS group listed $190 million in MLS costs — $150 million for the team franchise fee and $40 million for team operational losses.

— tom krasovic, sandiegouniontribune.com, "SD stadium politics — once a snap, now a puzzle", 5 June 2017
SPC has about 3,500 company-owned and franchised Paris Baguettes throughout Asia and France.

— allen pierleoni, sacbee, "Lunch? Make a French culinary stop on Howe by way of Asia", 1 June 2017
The Image Nation features will be high-concept, English-language dark genre films with modest budgets and franchise potential.

— mia galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Lego Movie,' 'Insidious' Producers Sign Overall Deal With Image Nation Abu Dhabi", 16 May 2017
Tyson is in Dubai to announce the start of a project franchising Mike Tyson Fitness & Boxing Academy locations worldwide.

— jon gambrell, The Seattle Times, "Mike Tyson lauds Dubai while promoting boxing gym franchise", 4 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of franchise

see ¹franchise

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

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

play

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

play

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
4a : 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