It is a bit unfair to compare loan sharks to business models liek franchises. Loan sharks can lend you money for anything even if you want to go spend it on something useless that doesn't create any value. Starting a Franchise business creates value even if it may not be highly profitable for someone. I wouldn't call Franchise model predatory even though I am personally not a fan of it because I like complete freedom in starting/running a business. Personally, I wouldn't do franchise (I am too much of a free bird to be caged) but calling it predatory is too much.