Overview
This course examines the strategic, financial, legal, and operational challenges of expanding a business across multiple locations and franchise partners. Students analyze market screening, site selection, unit economics, franchise models, disclosure and contracting principles, governance, brand standards, operating manuals, training systems, supply-chain coordination, technology platforms, quality assurance, audit design, local adaptation, crisis management, and sustainable growth.
Emphasis is placed on distinguishing effective standardization from harmful over-centralization while accounting for local labor markets, cultural expectations, accessibility, environmental effects, and franchisee autonomy. Through applied analysis, students develop integrated expansion plans, operating systems, governance frameworks, quality dashboards, and crisis-response strategies.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate market, site, financial, operational, and franchisee factors in multi-unit expansion decisions.
- Construct unit-level financial and operational models to assess scalability, risk, and performance.
- Design measurable brand, service, compliance, and quality standards appropriate to multi-location operations.
- Develop operating manuals, training systems, and support structures that promote consistent execution and local responsiveness.
- Formulate franchise governance frameworks addressing disclosure, contracting, incentives, accountability, and franchisee autonomy.
- Create audit, remediation, and quality-dashboard systems using valid performance indicators and escalation procedures.
- Evaluate supply-chain, technology, labor, environmental, and reputational risks affecting distributed operations.
- Synthesize a phased expansion strategy incorporating innovation, feedback, crisis management, and sustainable growth mechanisms.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
| Seminar | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Market-entry analysis | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Operations playbook | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Franchise governance framework | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Quality dashboard | 15.00% |
| Capstone | Scenario exercise and integrated expansion response | 25.00% |
Prerequisites
- Requirement Relevant undergraduate study in business, management, economics, or a related discipline.
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.