The word “franchise” comes from the old French meaning “privilege” or “freedom.” Way back in the middle ages, feudal lords granted certain merchants the right to hold markets or fairs or to hunt on their land.

Over the last several centuries, the concept of franchising has drastically evolved to become a worldwide economic powerhouse.

Today, franchises are everywhere covering almost every conceivable industry from health/fitness, to food, to education, construction, house cleaning, security, auto repair, sports, dry cleaning and more. Plus, now-a-days, website design and Internet marketing consulting.

In fact, it’s possible that you deal with franchises without ever thinking about it. From fast food joints where you grab lunch, to the plumber you call when your pipes are clogged, to the oil change place where you get your car serviced. Many of these businesses you do business with are franchises. Sometimes you know they are, and many times you don’t realize they are franchises.

Many franchises are bought and sold.

Unlike many of the business opportunities you run into online, many franchises are real businesses. (eSpider Squad™’s definition of a real business is one that isn’t just some cash flow gimmick, but rather a business model where you may develop a client base who can have a relationship with you and your company.)

What do almost all Franchises have in Common?

Franchises Provide A System To Follow With Training and On-Going Support…

Franchisors typically provide franchisees a system to use and follow, with upfront, and ongoing training/support. This can be a significant advantage over the entrepreneur who starts a similar business on his or her own without a documented system to follow, nor thorough training and support from people who know the system.

(Although there are no statistics we’re aware of that definitively prove that franchisees are more or less successful than independent businesses, there must be a legitimate advantage to being trained and supported in a dedicated system of doing business that franchises provide.)