The Franchise Phenomenon

Wales@work, 17 June, BBC Radio Wales

From fast food chains to vending machines to driving schools...every type of business can be franchised, and the sector is valued at £400m for Wales. You buy a successful brand name, the franchisor trains you and offers support throughout - for a fee.
But is it a good idea to base your business on someone else's intellectual property and idea? Is it more difficult to create a successful business without buying a franchise? Are you buying a job rather than a business, and can you truly consider yourself 'self-employed' while working under the franchisor's terms?