I don't think the average person knows the pay difference when they go into a franchise, as they would if they went into a corporate retail outlet. I think they're more worried about the service they're receiving. The training level at a franchise is not equivalent to the training you would receive in a corporate retail outlet.
I've mentioned to a couple of people who work in franchises that I have done exactly the same work as they have and been paid $8 or $9 more. They were quite shocked that we were paid more than they were.