Franchises

noun

1. The right to vote at a public election or referendum; see: suffrage, suffragette.
2. A right or privilege officially granted to a person, a group of people, or a company by a government.
3. An acknowledgment of a corporation's existence and ownership.
4. The authorization granted by a company to sell or distribute its goods or services in a certain area.

   "McDonalds has exported its franchise."

5. A business operating under such authorization, a franchisee.