Are the chain operations simply with it?: Five aspects meal model as a development tool for chain operations/franchise organizations

The issue of belonging to a chain or affiliation, or indeed the right one, is becoming more and more vital for all participants in this fast moving and highly competitive business and could be a key factor for success or failure. However, how does one choose and in what ways it is possible to get the concept right and in line with trends, cultural and social aspects? And what possibilities are there to keep the concept uniform and easy to relay to current and future participants alike? One factor is what the chain actually offers as possible new outlets. If the chain organization lacks clear models, clear concepts or does not grasp new and important trends evolving on the scene, the outlook for individual members looks less promising. This paper examines how the five aspects meal model, as used in the Department of Restaurant and Culinary Arts at Örebro University (Gustafsson et al. 2006), might be used to better understand chain/franchise operations and the environment in which they work. Hopefully, it could help chain organizations and individual businesses to develop strategies for the future.