Final answer:
Franchising became popular in the hospitality industry starting in the 1950s, with fast-food restaurants like McDonald's leading the way. This trend paved the way for the globalization of hospitality brands and was enabled by advancements in technology and deregulation from the late 1970s onwards.
Step-by-step explanation:
Franchising became widely adopted in the hospitality industry starting in the 1950s, with companies like McDonald's being pioneers in this business model. Franchising allowed for the standardization and rapid expansion of businesses by providing similar products or services in many locations. This approach played a significant role in the globalization of brands, as seen with McDonald's restaurants being established in nearly every country around the world. The 1950s setup the foundation for franchising, which became more prevalent in the successive decades, particularly as improvements in production technologies and deregulation waves in the late 1970s and 1980s further facilitated the growth of franchises.