`Franchising dilutes brand value` recommended quiet rigidly retail strategy presentation of a major mobile retail company. Involved in franchise and retail business research, this surely appears to me as an intriguing question. Is this assumption for real? Let’s go by the market research methodologies and first define the problem. So a brand will be a name, sign, symbol, slogan or anything that is used to identify and distinguish a specific product, service, or business.

The global explosion of franchising in the last 50 or so years has been one of the most positive developments for entrepreneurship in recent times. Made popular by the likes of McDonald’s and Burger King, franchising in 2010 include almost any kind of business imaginable. That entrepreneurial desire to work independently, but with the helping hand of a corporate structure has spurred the rapid growth of franchising.

 Reflecting over my two-decade stint in the Indian education sector leaves me with an immense sense of satisfaction and eagerness - satisfaction, looking at the sea change in the industry and in KKEL being acknowledged as one of the key catalysts of that change. From being a fairly unorganised sector, the pre-school and schooling sectors have become organised, to the extent of the Central government finally giving it its due.

The hard work and vision of Gaurav Marya and Franchise India over the past 11 years, as well as their recent acquisition of the rights and development of Francorp India, have established India as a major player in franchise arena in the world. Hundreds of national and international got together to exhibit at the Franchise India Expo. All these companies have recognised the potential market conditions in India for franchising.  

Over the years, I have witnessed disputes and issues between franchisors and franchisees caused due to misunderstanding or failure of support which could have been avoided or lessened with mutual understandings. We tend to think that the most important aspect to protect in franchising is the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) or 'know-how' of the System. It is indeed essential to take advice on how to structure IPR ownership and how best to protect it. But, at the same time protecting the business relationship between franchisee and franchisor is of equal importance.