Franchise that smashes china (5)
I believe the answer is:
chain
'franchise' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.
'smashes china' is the wordplay.
'smashes' indicates anagramming the letters.
'china' is an anagram of 'CHAIN'.
'that' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for chain that I've seen before include "series of hotels" , "trading group" , "Coupling" , "A measure" , "Paper decoration" .)