Using a location as a business entity

In an effort to save money and to take advantage of a centralise database for Parts, Vendors and Customers, it has been decided that we should use standard NetSuite, and create separate locations in our system where each location is going to be one of our branches.

The thing is, for us, each branch/location is seen as a separate entity from the other and in some cases they are separate legal entities, in other words each branch purchases its own stock at its own price, from its own vendor and has its own customer base, but we have a group office that overseas all the branches.  Each branch may have its own PDF layouts, securities and so on.