Franchising: The Quiet Revolution

The rapid spread affranchising activity by universities over the last few years has been a quiet revolution - revolutionary in its speed and radical nature, but so quiet that its significance has yet to be assessed. Publications on franchising, and there are only a few, are investigative and informative, rather than analytical or policy-oriented. This is perhaps because there has been no major national policy lead on franchising. Government departments and national bodies have contributed at best encouragement and recognition; at worst suspicion and obstruction. In the tradition of revolutionary activity, franchising has been a bottom-up initiative, institution-led, and at a speed which, 'In a sector not known as a quick-change artist is breathtaking'. This paper examines the origins, nature and implications of this quiet revolution.