An individual, who owns and operates more than one outlet of the same franchisor, whether through an area or a master franchise agreement, is called a multiple-unit franchisee.
Multiple-unit franchisees are common in both small and large franchise chains, and this source of growth far outpaces the units added by new franchisees in most franchise organizations. (For example, over 70 percent of new Subway franchises are purchased by established franchisees.)