The following are the major types of chain stores:
1. Business Chains
Business chains are retail outlets that are owned by the same company. For example, Gap Inc. owns Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta.
2. Franchises
A franchise is a type of chain store that is owned by an individual but operated under the name of a larger company. For example, 7-Eleven is a franchise chain store.
3. Licensees
A licensee is an individual or company that has been granted the right to use a company’s name, logo, and/or trademark. For example, Warner Bros. licenses its name and characters to companies that produce Warner Bros. branded products.
4. Restaurant chains
Chain restaurants are a type of chain store that specializes in food service. They all will have shared corporate ownership, and a standard menu, plus they will be present at many different locations. Some examples of popular chain restaurants include McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Dairy Queen, and KFC. Chain restaurants are often found in malls, shopping centers, and highway rest stops.
5. Grocery chains
A grocery chain is a type of food retailer that sells packaged food and household items. Chain stores are often part of a larger retail corporation, such as Walmart or Kroger. These stores generally have standardized operations and procedures, and they sell products from the same manufacturer.
