Activision could consider launching a new exclusive franchise to help drive system sales if, say, Microsoft would pay much of that bill (and it might), but it would essentially be a $50m loss-leading risk hoping that the sequel would be the one that actually made a ton of money.
"When you cut through it all, what it really comes down to is the character of James Bond," said Chris McGurk, vice chairman of MGM, who is counting on his studio's prime franchise to help salvage an otherwise lackluster year.
And luckily, there will be plenty more movies and television shows of the franchise to help reinforce it.
The system could also use a few buzzy franchises to help stir things up.
KENWOOD — The parents of slain teenager Hadiya Pendleton will be presented with a donation Friday from a McDonald's franchise owner to help benefit a foundation named in their daughter's honor.
Voltage, who donates her time to Mother Cabrini in an after-school program she developed called Energy Up, dreams of what she calls an "energy franchise" -- to help boost the self-esteem of teenage girls in schools across the country.
In 2006, Texas lawmakers approved a tax reform package that lowered property taxes and created a new business franchise tax to help pay for it.
The extra grammatical attention hovering around their franchise failed to help their fans, who finished in 24th place.
As negotiations continue to develop off the field, one prominent franchise has launched a plan to help cut costs at the stadium, regardless of whether games will be in session.
He brought on Mike Drumm, a franchise lawyer and former colleague at the franchise association, as a business partner to help him sort through the legal requirements necessary to become a franchiser.
