10-09-2021, 06:53 PM
They aren't franchises in this country.
It's a co-op.
The stores are locally-owned and operated and use the "Ace" logo as part of their agreement, but are free to use the name/brand in different ways than a franchisee would.
Instead of being required to stock/brand/advertise in various ways dictated entirely from above, they utilize economies of scale to increase their purchasing power and decrease costs and mostly just need to avoid tainting the brand.
When one of them innovates, others can copy from that without seeking permission from a franchiser with the result that they can adapt quickly to changing markets and economic conditions and survive in a recession or a global pandemic.
It's a co-op.
The stores are locally-owned and operated and use the "Ace" logo as part of their agreement, but are free to use the name/brand in different ways than a franchisee would.
Instead of being required to stock/brand/advertise in various ways dictated entirely from above, they utilize economies of scale to increase their purchasing power and decrease costs and mostly just need to avoid tainting the brand.
When one of them innovates, others can copy from that without seeking permission from a franchiser with the result that they can adapt quickly to changing markets and economic conditions and survive in a recession or a global pandemic.