Multi-unit franchising (MUF) is a governance form inside franchising networks where the franchisor transfers to the franchisees the right to own and operate more than one outlet. While previous empirical literature has revealed various advantages of MUF as compared to single-unit franchising...

This study investigates the performance of franchise networks through the lens of the resource-based and real options theory. First, according to the resource-based view, we argue that the intangible resources of the franchisor (system-specific know-how and brand name) and the intangible...