Under a franchise arrangement, a person or company purchases the ability to run a local business under a larger company's brand. Depending on the franchise arrangement, the local party may have to meet certain standards established by the larger company and purchase products from the larger company as well.
Half-cock is when the position of the hammer is partially but not completely cocked.
half [1] a unit of proportion equal to 1/2. The English word half, like the German prefix halb-, is often placed before the name of a unit to create a combination which functions as a new unit equal to half the old one. Half dozen, half hour, and half gallon are typical and common examples.