[Reason077]

McDonald's business model of renting premises to their franchisees sounds similar to the way many pubs are operated in the UK.

Breweries (and "PubCo's") typically own the premises, which is leased to a tenant (publican) who is required to purchase the brewery's products.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tied_house

[johannes1234321]

In a pub setting the pub owner is free to select food and furtineture and such. Breweries will assist, but there's a lot of freedom.

In franchise you have to stick to the branding and menu offers and in practice you have to follow the prices (legally they can't force independent franchise companies to sell a burger for the same price, but there are ways) giving very little freedom.

[sofaofthedamned]

There is no freedom in a UK pub franchise that will help you, because if you do well they will screw you the month after on tied beer prices.