Unlock the Language of Franchising:
Master the Glossary of Terms with The Franchisist

Discover the keys to success with franchising with this all-encompassing guide!

Our Experience
Advertising Fund:
A fund established by the franchisor to pay for advertising and promotional activities on behalf of all the franchisees in the system.
Area Development Agreement:
A type of franchise agreement where the franchisee is granted the right to develop a specific geographic area and open multiple units within that area.
Area Representative Agreement:
A type of franchise agreement where the franchisee is granted the right to open multiple units within a specific geographic area, but does not necessarily have to develop the entire area.
Continuous Quality Control:
A system of monitoring and improving the quality of products and services provided by franchisees.
Co-Branding:
A type of franchise agreement where two or more existing brands combine to create a new brand.
Disclosure Document:
A document that provides detailed information about the franchisor and the franchise opportunity, as required by federal and state franchise laws.
Encroachment:
When a franchisor opens a new unit in the same area as an existing franchisee, it is called encroachment.
Exclusive Territory:
A geographic area where the franchisee has the exclusive right to operate the franchise.
Franchise:
A business arrangement in which an individual or company (the "franchisee") is granted the right to use the name, trademark, and operating systems of a larger company (the "franchisor") in exchange for a fee.
Franchise Agreement:
A legal contract between a franchisor and a franchisee that outlines the terms and conditions of the franchise relationship.
Franchise Fee:
A one-time payment made by the franchisee to the franchisor in exchange for the right to use the franchisor's name, trademark, and operating systems.
Good Faith:
Acting honestly and without deceit or intent to defraud.
Indemnification:
The act of compensating for loss or damage.
Initial investment:
The total amount of money that a franchisee is required to pay to the franchisor in order to start the franchise.
Management Services Agreement:
A type of franchise agreement where the franchisor provides management services to the franchisee.
Master Franchise:
A type of franchise agreement where the franchisee is granted the right to sub-license the franchise in a specific geographic area.
Multi-Unit Development Agreement:
A type of franchise agreement where the franchisee is granted the right to open multiple units within a specific geographic area.
Non-Compete Clause:
A clause in the franchise agreement that prohibits the franchisee from operating a similar business for a certain period of time after the end of the franchise agreement.
Non-Disclosure Agreement:
A legal agreement between the franchisor and the potential franchisee in which the potential franchisee agrees not to disclose any confidential information provided by the franchisor.
Ongoing expenses:
Ongoing costs associated with operating a franchise, including royalties, marketing fees, and other expenses.
Option:
An agreement that gives the franchisee the right to renew the franchise agreement after the initial term has expired.
Public Offering Condition:
A clause in the franchise agreement that requires the franchisor to register the franchise offering with the relevant regulatory authorities.
Proprietary systems:
Unique processes or technologies that are used by the franchisor and are made available to franchisees as part of the franchise agreement.
Quality Control Manual:
A manual containing the franchisor's quality control standards and procedures.
Renewal:
The process of continuing the franchise agreement after the initial term has expired.
Royalty:
A percentage of the franchisee's sales that is paid to the franchisor on a regular basis.
Site Selection:
The process of selecting the location for a new franchise unit.
Sub-Franchising:
A type of franchise agreement where the franchisee is granted the right to sub-license the franchise to another party.
Subsidiary:
A company that is controlled by another company.
Support:
Support refers to the assistance provided by the franchisor to franchisees, including training, marketing, and operational support.
Trade Dress:
The overall visual appearance of a franchise unit, including the color scheme, signage, and overall design.
Trademark:
A brand name, logo, or slogan that is legally registered and protected.
Transfer:
The sale of an existing franchise unit from one franchisee to another.
Termination:
Termination refers to the ending of the franchise agreement, either by the franchisor or the franchisee.
Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC):
A document that contains detailed information about the franchisor and the franchise opportunity, as required by federal and state franchise laws.
Venture Lease:
A type of lease agreement where the franchisor and franchisee share the costs and risks of opening a new unit.
Venture Partner:
A third-party company or individual that partners with the franchisor and franchisee to open a new unit.
Waiver:
Giving up a legal right or claim.

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