Which of the following is a downside of franchising for the franchisee?

• A. Very little autonomy over decisions as the franchiser decides on products, store layout, uniforms etc.
• B. The franchise is a well-known business with an existing customer base.
• C. National advertising is carried out by the franchiser.
• D. Industry knowledge, administration and training is provided by the franchiser.

Answer: (A)

Franchising blends a proven system with brand support for the franchisee, but the trade-off is limited freedom to make local or personal decisions. The downside is that the franchiser sets many core choices—what products are offered, how the store is laid out, and even uniforms—so the franchisee must follow these standards to keep the brand consistent. This can feel restrictive for someone who wants to tailor offerings or appearances to their own preferences or local market trends. The other statements describe advantages: being part of a well-known brand with an existing customer base, having national advertising funded by the franchiser, and receiving training and administration support—all of which help the business but are not downsides.