Final answer:
The correct answer is B) Caterer, which is a company that provides food service for a client under a contract, different from a franchise, contractor, or distributor.
Step-by-step explanation:
A company that operates food service for a client on a contractual basis is known as a Caterer. While a franchise is commonly associated with businesses that offer similar products or services in many locations, such as McDonald's which is among the first to develop this business strategy, they operate under the brand of the franchisor.
In contrast, a caterer provides food services directly to a client for specific events or functions, and a contractor is a general term that could refer to any individual or company that enters into a contract to provide services or work.
A distributor, on the other hand, is involved in the supply chain management, typically responsible for delivering goods.