With a "lightbulb company", I was just using a rhetorical device of describing something in banal and obvious adjectives to the average consumer to contrast it with something non-obvious.
E.g. The "hamburger company" McDonald's is actually one of the largest real estate holders that makes more money from land rent than food. Adding later clarifications of "McDonalds sells more than just hamburgers such as salads and eggs in English muffins" isn't necessary for most readers.
To be precise on the McDonald's thing, it rents the land to the franchises and extracts the franchisee profits that way as no doubt it's tax efficient.
How is it tax efficient? Why do all franchisors not behave in the same manner? The land under hotels are very rarely owned by the hotel brands themselves.
I thought the real reason was to exert control over franchisors, so that in the event of a McDonald’s going rogue they can revoke the lease and end the franchise.
It is to stop a franchise rebranding themselves as Golden Arches, selling their own food to the existing customer base and not kicking the franchise money back to corporate HQ. Versions of which happen a lot when an established franchise owner realizes they can make more money by no longer paying for the franchise branding and infrastructure (lose 10% customers, gain 25% revenue, profit!)
The switcharoo is really common with smaller franchised brands. A few years on the original contract, then do a quick brand change overnight or contract with a similar competitor. I see it all the time around where I live it’s kind of hilarious.
“Welcome to Totally A Different Hot Dog Joint! The menu is 99% the same!”
Sure they can, the amount of money generated from these actions you honestly believe McDonald's doesn't have the best contract lawyers to enforce their TOS.
:-)
With a "lightbulb company", I was just using a rhetorical device of describing something in banal and obvious adjectives to the average consumer to contrast it with something non-obvious.
E.g. The "hamburger company" McDonald's is actually one of the largest real estate holders that makes more money from land rent than food. Adding later clarifications of "McDonalds sells more than just hamburgers such as salads and eggs in English muffins" isn't necessary for most readers.