While all the theories about who could franchise RE are entertaining, you need to have in mind that usually well established brands are rather reluctant to franchise. So it is not so much the question to whom RE is paying a fee, but who would be willing to allow RE to use its brand. Because the use of a well established, there are considerable risks to damage the own brand if it is franchised to an outfit like RE that was/is in financial trouble and not really well established at SEN.
Last edited by virginblue; 14th Mar 2014 at 16:27.
Reason: EDIT: Should read of course "not really well established" instead of "really well established"...