what type of business is hot topic? franchise, soleproprietor,corporation or partnership

Hot Topic is a corporation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Topic

To determine the type of business that Hot Topic is, we can start by looking at the ownership structure.

Hot Topic is a retail clothing and accessory store that focuses on alternative fashion and pop culture merchandise. It falls under the category of a specialty retail store.

Regarding ownership:

1. Franchise: A franchise is a type of business where the owner of a brand or a trademark grants someone else the right to operate a specific outlet of their business. Hot Topic does allow the licensing of its brand to certain locations, but the majority of Hot Topic stores are company-owned. Therefore, Hot Topic is not primarily a franchise business.

2. Sole Proprietorship: A sole proprietorship is a business that is owned and operated by a single individual. Hot Topic, on the other hand, has multiple stores across the United States, making it unlikely that it is a sole proprietorship.

3. Corporation: A corporation is a legal entity that is separate from its owners. It is typically owned by shareholders and managed by a board of directors. Hot Topic is owned by its parent company, BoxLunch. It operates as a subsidiary of BoxLunch, which is a public company traded on the stock market. Therefore, Hot Topic can be considered a corporation.

4. Partnership: A partnership is a business structure where two or more individuals share ownership and responsibilities. Although the legal structure of Hot Topic is not publicly available, it is unlikely to be a partnership since it is primarily owned by BoxLunch.

Based on the information available, Hot Topic is most likely a corporation, owned by BoxLunch. However, it is always recommended to consult official sources or legal documents for confirmation.