Thinking of buying a franchise, creating your own franchise or franchising a product more effectively? Packed with real-life case studies and key insights from the owners and operators of successful franchise systems (including Domino's Pizza, Costa, SSP, Spar, TGIs, Dunkin' Donuts, SSP, Haagen Dazs, Cafe2U, Snappy Snaps, Budgens, Ramada Encore, Burger & Lobster, GlobalBrand, GlassesInc), this book is THE essential contemporary guide for aspiring franchisees or ambitious franchisors. Drawing upon the extensive academic and operational experience of the authors - Chris Edger is a multiple author on service-based operational excellence and Andrew Emmerson has led the growth of some of the most successful international franchise systems in recent times - this book provides comprehensive advice on how franchisors and franchisees can avoid potential elephant traps and lays out the key success factors that enable both parties to win. Written in an informative, accessible style without abandoning any of its empirical rigour, this book is essential reading for 'newbie' franchisees and franchisors or for anybody working in franchising who wishes to drive outstanding performance.