What distinguishes a franchise from an independent restaurant?

A franchise is distinguished from an independent restaurant primarily by its affiliation with a national brand. This relationship typically involves the franchisor granting the franchisee the rights to operate a restaurant under the franchisor's brand name, using their business model, marketing, and operational guidelines. This affiliation provides several advantages, such as brand recognition, access to established supply chains, marketing support, and a larger customer base that is familiar with the brand.

In contrast, an independent restaurant operates without affiliation to a larger corporate brand and has the freedom to create its own unique identity, menu, and business practices. While independent restaurants may have unique and creative menu offerings, that does not inherently define their operational structure the way a franchise does. Franchises focus significantly on adherence to predefined standards and consistency across locations, which is often key to customer experience and brand reputation.