Technically ACE (like their better known compatriots in Oak Brook, Il) is a franchise: http://www.franchisedirect.com/retailfranchises/ace-hardware-corporation-06448/ufoc/ It is just a really loose one, with no fixed territories of exclusive stocking agreement.
The tag "ACE" is valuable, even if, like McD, the actual store is likely to be independent. Chances are you'll find the same brand of filter, screw and hing. Effectively it's more like supplier=ACE than franchise=ACE or brand=ACE
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