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.
When loading was completed, the hammer was pulled back to the full-cock position and the trigger-safety was disengaged. Going off half-cocked is a reference to a firearm discharging prior to it being ready. If you go off half-cocked it means that you attempt something without proper preparation or aforethought.