三、篇章結構
Starting a business on one’s own can be quite challenging and costly. To reducethe risks involved in starting a business from scratch, many people buy afranchise instead. __21__ Under the license, the individual acquires the right touse the big company’s brand name and agrees to sell its products.
         The concept of the franchise dates back to the 19th century in the U.S.__22__ Then, in the 1930s, Howard Johnson restaurants skyrocketed inpopularity, paving the way for restaurant chains and the subsequent franchisesthat would define the unprecedented rise of the American fast-food industry.
          There are many advantages to investing in a franchise. One of the benefits isthe ready-made business operation. __23__ Depending on the franchise, thefranchisor company may offer support in training and financial planning. Someeven provide assistance with approved suppliers. To new business owners, themost recognized advantage of a franchise is perhaps the well-established brandname of the franchisor such as that of McDonald’s. __24__
           Disadvantages include heavy start-up costs as well as ongoing royalty costson the part of the franchisee. To take the McDonald’s example further, theestimated minimum cost for a franchisee to start a McDonald’s is US$500,000.And it has to pay an annual fee equivalent to 12% of its sales to McDonald’s.__25__ Other disadvantages include lack of territory control or creativity withone’s own business.
【題組】21.
(A) Whether a franchise is profitable or not depends largely on the nature of thebusiness.
(B) Research has shown that customers tend to choose a brand they recognizeover one they don’t.
(C) A franchise comes with a built-in business formula including products,services, and even employee uniforms.
(D) A franchise is a license issued by a large, usually well-known, company to anindividual or a small business owner.
(E) The most famous example was Isaac Singer, who created franchises todistribute his sewing machines to larger areas.