As calls for a higher minimum wage get louder, most people think the debate is between workers and big corporations, like McDonald’s. But often stuck in the middle is the franchise owner, the one who pays the worker. Some franchise owners say company rules make it hard to increase their employees’ wages. As part of our series Front and Center, WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell and Shannon Heffernan are exploring franchising — and whether it’s bad for the workplace. Photo: Flickr/GenBug