franchise
7 synonyms for franchise, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A business that is authorized to sell a company's goods or services in a particular area, operating under its brand.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
enfranchisement
How to use franchise
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
franchise owner
the right to franchise
movie franchise
extend the franchise
Etymology
From Old French franchise ("freedom"), from franc ("free") — related to "frank."
Full origin of franchise →Frequently asked questions
What does “franchise” mean?
The word “franchise” means a business that is authorized to sell a company's goods or services in a particular area, operating under its brand. In plain terms, a licensed branch of a business (like a fast-food chain), the right to vote, or a long-running series of films or games.
How do you pronounce “franchise”?
“Franchise” is pronounced FRANT-shyz (/ˈfɹænt͡ʃaɪ̯z/ in IPA).
How do you use “franchise” in a sentence?
Here is “franchise” used in a sentence: “She opened a fast-food franchise on the edge of town.”
What part of speech is “franchise”?
Depending on how it is used, “franchise” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “franchise” come from?
The word “franchise” comes from Old French. From Old French franchise ("freedom"), from franc ("free") — related to "frank.".
Is “franchise” a common word?
“Franchise” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “franchise” have?
“Franchise” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a business that is authorized to sell a company's goods or services in a particular area, operating under its brand.
What is the difference between a 'franchise' and a 'branch'?
A 'franchise' is an independently owned business licensed to trade under a larger company's brand, while a 'branch' is directly owned and run by the parent company. Franchise owners pay fees to use the brand, whereas branches are company property.
Why does 'franchise' also mean the right to vote?
'Franchise' can mean an official right or privilege granted by a government, and the right to vote is its best-known example. This sense appears in phrases like 'universal franchise' and 'extending the franchise.'
What is the difference between a 'franchise', a 'franchisee', and a 'franchisor'?
The 'franchise' is the licensed business or the right itself, the 'franchisee' is the person or company that buys and runs it, and the 'franchisor' is the parent company granting the licence. All three terms come from the same commercial arrangement.
