Franchise owners do not receive a fixed salary from a corporate parent; instead, their compensation is derived entirely from the net profitability and bottom-line financial performance of their specific business locations. After covering all monthly operating expenditures, cost of goods sold, employee payroll, marketing costs, and mandatory franchise royalty fees, the remaining profit belongs to the owner. Earnings vary wildly based on the brand, industry sector, operational efficiency, and store location, ranging from modest incomes for struggling units to multi-million-dollar annual returns for top multi-unit operators.