Guess what? The legendary Benjamin Franklin, the brains behind so much, kickstarted the whole modern franchising game!
The renowned printer and mastermind behind the birth of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, cracked open what we now recognize as the inaugural modern franchise back in 1731. He teamed up with Thomas Whitmarsh and together they launched a printing venture that aimed to "print stuff in Charlestown, South Carolina."
And that's not all! In addition to pioneering franchising, our man Ben also gave the world some incredible inventions like the lightning rod , bifocals , and even a glass harmonica . What a trailblazer!