Corporate-level cooperative strategies (such as franchising) are used to facilitate product and market diversification. As a cooperative strategy , franchising allows he firm to use its competencies to extend or diversify its product or market reach , but without completing a merger or an acquisition. Research suggests that knowledge embedded in corporate-level cooperative strategies facilitates synergy For example , McDonald's Corporation pursues a franchising strategy , emphasizing a limited value-priced menu in more than 100 countries. The McDonald's franchising system is a strategic network. McDonald's headquarter serves as the strategic center firm for the network's franchises. The head quarters office use strategic an financial controls to very that the franchisees' operations create the greatest value for the entire network.