A franchise was a business that let other people run its locations separately.
In 2000, Henry Janeway noted that the promotional literature for the Millennium Gate boasted that the project had franchise potential. (VOY: "11:59")
In 2369, Quark tried to interest Falow in dabo franchising in virgin areas of the Gamma Quadrant. (DS9: "Move Along Home")
In 2371, Quark deliberately had Rom leave the profits of his tulaberry wine franchise out of the financial documents he showed to Liquidator Brunt. When the liquidator threatened him with fines for concealing information from the Ferengi Commerce Authority, Quark said Rom must have forgotten them and instructed his brother to get them. (DS9: "Family Business")