A spokesman for Tele-Communications said that local authorities rarely blocked franchise sales.

Together, the three have more than 12,000 franchise sales outlets, and profits increased 21 percent in 2004.

But the league itself is profitable as a result of franchise sales and royalties.

The majors also assured the minors, which were concerned about the commissioner's authority, that the commissioner would not act arbitrarily in such matters as approval of franchise sales or moves.

In August 1993, United States District Judge John Padova ruled that the immunity did not include franchise sales.

True, some Savile Row tailors have switched to ready-made suits and franchise sales, but that is not what Anderson & Sheppard does.

"We get 200 to 300 sales leads a month," said Geoff Hill, senior vice president for franchise sales and development at Carvel, the ice cream store franchiser.

"We believe this is a market for everybody," said Sam Hance, Super Suppers' director of franchise sales and a former Curves salesman.

Mr. Schwartz, whose flair for publicity has helped the business grow, plans to take a lead role in directing franchise sales and will be the company's primary spokesman.

Tom Schnaidt, Gum Busters' director of franchise sales in Falls Church, Va., was on hand to help any interested parties do exactly that.