A business chain, or just chain, is a network of physical business locations, which all provide similar services or products, and share a brand. A retail chain is a type of business chain. They inevitably also share some degree of central management, supply chains, training programs, personnel, etc. They tend to either be parts of a single company or franchises, in which individual store owners license the use of the shared brand, training, and know-how. Chains of both main sorts tend to make purchases and licensing agreements as a single entity.

Exceptions to these generalizations include Steve's Pizza in New York and EasyPizza in London.

Even two stores or restaurants or businesses owned by the same person or group can constitute a local chain. Some large chains -- McDonald's, for instance -- are among the largest retail businesses in the world.

Category:Business
category:Distribution, retailing, and wholesaling