1 [C,U] formal permission given by a company to sb who wants to sell its goods or services in a particular area; formal permission given by a government to sb who wants to operate a public service as a business:
a franchise agreement / company * a catering / rail franchise * In the reorganization, Southern Television lost their franchise. * to operate a business under franchise
2 [C] a business or service run under franchise:
They operate franchises in London and Paris. * a burger franchise
3 [U] (formal) the right to vote in a country's elections:
universal adult franchise * The 1918 Reform Act extended the franchise to women over 30.
seealsoENFRANCHISE
verb [VN] [usuallypassive] to give or sell a franchise(1) to sb:
Catering has been franchised (out) to a private company. * franchised restaurants
franchising noun [U]
