Stratus Building Solutions is under fire in this Problem Solvers report by FOX News’ Kansas City, MO affiliate

“An attorney calls it a pyramid scheme” says the lead-in anchor.

“Victims out money call it outright fraud.”

FOX 4 “Problem Solver” Linda Wagar does an excellent job describing how Stratus, like other janitorial franchises, allegedly preys on working class immigrants, sells them cleaning contracts that promise guaranteed work, then doesn’t deliver.

Attorney Jonathan Fortman Calls Stratus Franchise a Pyramid Scheme

Attorney Jonathan Fortman is suing Stratus Building Solutions on behalf of nearly 100 franchisees.

Here are some quotes from the interview with Fortman:

“They are stealing from people, and they know going in when they get that money that they will never do what they are obligated to do under that franchise agreement… and they don’t care.”

“Now more and more what we’re hearing is these people are paying thousands of dollars and never getting an account.”

“These are the people who have the work ethic, they want to succeed, and they want to buy into the American Dream.”

“It’s just a whole variety of things that they are doing that make it so difficult for these franchisees to be successful… they can’t make them be successful because there’s not enough work.”

Stratus CEO Dennis Jarrett Blames Franchisees

“No, it’s not a pyramid scheme. Nothing could be further from the truth,” says Stratus Building Solutions CEO Dennis Jarrett.

When asked why the Internet is filled with complaints about the Stratus franchise and why so many franchisees are suing, Dennis Jarrett has two answers:  Not that many are unhappy, and it’s their own fault.”

“It’s a small minority…” says Stratus CEO Dennis Jarrett.  “It could be people that have messed up their accounts, they feel like they want to point the finger of accountability toward somebody else.”

ARE YOU A STRATUS FRANCHISE OWNER OR FRANCHISEE?  ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE STRATUSFRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY?  SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

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Is ZIEBART a Great Franchise Opportunity?  Why or why not?

Please share a comment below.

According to Ziebart franchise marketing, Ziebart is looking for “qualified business people that have a passion for the automotive industry to join our system as owners/operators.”

Ziebart franchise marketing states:  “If you like the automotive industry and want to be involved in a business whose vision is to be the worldwide leader in automotive appearance and protection services, then a Ziebart franchise may be the business opportunity that you have been looking for.

“You will be in business for yourself, but not by yourself!”

Ziebart boasts:

• Entrepreneur Magazine, Top 500 Franchisors List, 15 consecutive years.
• Success Magazine, Gold 100 list, four consecutive years.
• Income Opportunities Magazine Platinum 200 list.
• Crain Communications’ Franchise Times Magazine Inaugural Top 200 list.
• Truck Accessory News Retailer of the Year
• VetFran Top 200

According to Ziebart franchise marketing:

”Ziebart supports its franchisees with a first-rate organization that provides formal management, sales and technical training. It also provides assistance with marketing, advertising, media, local store promotions, information systems, quality control, strategic business planning, communication support and more.”

Ziebart Franchise Investment Requirements

According to the Franchise Genius website, the Ziebart franchise financial requirements are as follows:

Min Liquid Capital  $100,000 to $500,000

Total Investment  $100,000 to $275,000

Required Net Worth  $100,000

Number of Units  343

In Business Since  1959

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Is Meineke a GREAT franchise opportunity? 

Why or why not? 

Share an opinion in the comment section below!

According to Meineke Muffler franchise marketing:  “With 4o years of business under their belt, Meineke provides its franchisees with a proven business system.

“Meineke provides all of the tools that a franchisee needs to be successful.

“By following the system provided, our successful franchisees have enjoyed the fulfillment and pride that comes along with running a profitable business.”

Meineke Car Care Center franchise marketing promises franchisees a competitive edge in the huge automotive market:

“Meineke Car Care Centers has successfully adapted its automotive business franchise system to the one-stop model that today’s consumers are looking for. Together both franchisor and franchisees share the advantages of a nationally recognized name with a strong new image, broad range of services, hands-on training, and a Meineke system that’s geared to business success.

“Benefits like these give each Meineke franchise a significant edge over the automotive competition in their market area. With a strong desire to succeed, you too can forge a Meineke success story in today’s expanding automotive service market place.”

Meineke franchise marketing promises the benefits of the top automotive service brands and one of the most comprehensive support programs in the industry:

From business plans to day-to-day store management to best repair practices, this kind of knowledge and experience is accumulated after operating more than 900 shops worldwide.

Meineke passes this invaluable knowledge to franchisees through one of the most comprehensive training and support programs in the industry.

Meineke Franchise Investment Requirements

According to Franchise Gator, the Meineke franchise investment requirements are as follows:

• Liquid Capital Required: $70,000
• Net Worth Required: $150,000
• Total Investment: $190,883 – $352,497
• Year Founded: 1972
• Home Office Location: Charlotte, NC
• Total Units: 945
• Awards: #1 in Category, Entrepreneur Magazine 2012, Ranked in Franchise Times Top 200 Franchises for 2011, Forbes Top 20 Franchises for the Money
• Business Type: Franchise
• Financing Assistance: Available, via third party
• Training and Support: Available

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Midas operates and franchises more than 2,300 auto shops in 15 countries.

TBC, Owned by Japanese parent Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc., is one of the largest sellers of auto tires in the United States.

TBC runs Big O Tires, Tire Kingdom, and other outlets.

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida-based TBC has made a bid for Midas that totals about $173 Million, a deal that includes the assumption of $137 million in debt and pension liabilities by TBC.

Midas’ Board of Directors accepted the bid, but shareholders are suing to block the deal.

Are you familiar with Midas and the Midas franchise opportunity? Please share a comment below.

In Freedman v. Midas Inc., (CA7346, Delaware Chancery Court – Wilmington). shareholder Glenn Freedman alleges Midas directors accepted the deal put their own own self-interest ahead of Midas shareholders’ best interests.

The lawsuit alleges that Chief Executive Officer Alan Feldman and other Midas directors are reaping big rewards for supporting the deal.

Courthouse news, reporting on the class action lawsuit in which lead plaintiff Jacob Scheiner has sued Midas, TBC Corp., Gearshift Merger Corp., J.P Morgan Securities and five Midas officers, in Federal Court., states:

"It is especially egregious that the individual defendants, in breach of their fiduciary duties owed to plaintiff and the class, did not seek a separate fairness opinion from an independent and unconflicted financial advisor …

"The Board – tasked with the unremitting duty to obtain the maximum price reasonably obtainable for Midas’ shareholders – simply had no business relying upon a financial advisor with such conflicts of interest."

Scheiner claims Midas’ executive management team will personally benefit from the merger at shareholders’ expense.

"Having decided to put itself up for sale in August of 2011, Midas insiders were interested in deal certainty to achieve their exit strategy and advance their own interest, in breach of their fiduciary duties and to the detriment of plaintiff and the class. Initiating a sham ‘auction’ process and tilting the subsequent process in favor of TBC (including reliance on an advisor beholden to TBC) was the surest path for insiders to secure their change in control payday," the complaint states.

Scheiner wants the deal enjoined, and class damages for violations of the Exchange Act, breach of fiduciary duty, and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty.

He is represented by Leigh Handelman with Pomerantz Haudek Grossman & Gross.

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Vault Denim is recruiting women to orchestrate and/or host home parties at which they supposedly sell discounted, name-brand designer jeans at a deep discount.

Are you familiar with Vault Jeans and the Vault Jeans opportunity?  Please leave a comment below.

The FAQ on the Vault Denim website states: “We carry name-brand premium denim at discounted prices, up to 50% off… Vault buys overstock, which are the jeans that are left over after exclusive stores and upscale boutiques place their orders. You will be selling many of the same jeans that are currently being sold in the mall, at much higher prices.”

According to Vault Jeans:

The price of the jeans range from $48-92.

Vault Jeans “Fashion Consultants” have to pay an “enrollment fee” of $159.

Vault Jeans “Fashion Consultants” make between 18% and 24% of their own sales, depending on volume.

Vault Jeans “Fashion Consultants” can also “earn up to 7% on their sales and up to 5% on the people they get involved.”

Hostesses earn 10% of the sales at their parties towards their own jeans.

Company party averages as of December 1, 2010 are approximately $500.

Vault Jeans Appears to Actively Bury Online Complaints

When researching potential scams, people will generally Google the company name combined with words like “Review” “scam” or “rip-off”

Some companies that receive or anticipate lots of negative postings and complaints launch a campaign to flood the first page of Google with fake reviews and phony articles that purport to either be impartial reviews or exposes against the company.  They prominently use specific keywords (review, scam, rip-off) to divert readers to their sugary, all-positive comments and away from real complaints or exposes.

Google “Vault Denim Scam” and you’ll see a slew of BS blog posts titled:

“Vault Denim Scam – Truth Revealed”

“Vault Denim Scam Review”

“Vault Denim – Is it a Scam After All – MLM System”

“Vault Denim Scam”

These all appear to be bogus, stock, company-supplied propaganda boilerplate that has effectively pushed Vault Jeans complaints into Google obscurity.  Any company that works that hard to bury complaints and scam allegations – in our humble opinion – is raising a red flag and deserves serious scrutiny.

Vault Jeans Designer Jean Opportunity Complaints

Here are some of the online complaints that Vault Jeans seemingly does not want you to see.

kiwivibe14 wrote:

I have bought 3 pairs of jeans from Vault Denim…big mistake! I had to cancel my party because I have had so many friends complain about the jeans, no one wanted to go to another party! The jeans cost anywhere from $50-$100 and are of very poor quality. My buttons came off of my jeans BEFORE I EVEN WASHED THEM and the jewels were coming off of my pockets. I asked for a refund for the jeans that I had purchased since I hadn’t washed or hemmed the jeans, and I was rejected. POOR customer service and VERY POOR quality denim. This is definitely a business that I see going downhill. I would be very embarrassed to be selling these jeans.

loafgirl wrote:

I attended a party about 2 weeks ago as well. I had a very strong feeling that they were fake, but after trying them on, they fit great, and were not too ridiculous in price. So I bought 2 pair. Was fine with my decision, even after Googling “Rock Premium” and “Zipper” jeans and finding nothing about them. Figured they looked, and fit better than a pair of jeans from the Gap..lol. BUT, when the “bedazzling” started falling off and I hadn’t even worn them out of the house, I was pissed to say the least. It’s one thing to knowingly buy a pair of fake designer jeans, but to have them be defective is not cool. So now, I have been told by their rep that I cannot have a refund, but a voucher to get more jeans. Great. Now I wish I would have gone to the Gap!

idalis wrote:

I just looked at some of their youtube videos. They go by so fast and so crappy quality that it is hard to see anything but pretty sure i saw a fake 7fam in there, and a lot of stuff that may be real but is crap brands and other styles that are probably many seasons old and not really worth anything

lolosmom wrote:

I went to the party, and went home undecided. There were two pair of 7FAM that I saw there. One pair I am fairly confident was authentic, but I am no expert. They were a pair of bootcut sigs (old tags), however, it was stamped on the inside pocket and was damaged. There was a run in the denim across the back of one of the legs. The other pair was a pair of grey boyfriend crops, but did not have a normal 7FAM tag. Only a small white tag with the size.

jeanetic wrote:

It looks like the majority of the jeans at the party are not actually knockoffs but they are cheap brands that try to mimick designer brands and non designer brands that are popular. During the video I saw a brand called “miss chic” that tries to look like ‘miss me’. I did see one pair of William Rast… I saw several attempts to mimic rock revivals(which are already so ugly anyways) and they were total disasters. I saw what looked to be Paper Denim and Cloth as well. I doubt they were fake because why would anyone want to fake something you can get at TJ Maxx for $16.99? How far have they fallen, eh? Anyways the jeans in these parties… are so incredibly hideous that no one that is a lover a designer jeans should ever waste their time. Just the pics on one of the fb pages made me throw up. There were also some things that were supposed to look like TR that are laughable.

suel wrote:

Super cheap jeans…the bling falls off and buttons come off…and that is before you wash them. buyer beware…and if you become a rep…make sure you know what you are getting into..lots of work for little pay off. they say they check for authenic jeans… right. super cheap stuff…its a flash in the pan company.

DesignerGirl wrote:

I went to one of these “designer jean” parties. Lame sauce. While trying on a pair of the knock offs I decided to Google the brand. It took me directly to the home page where I could buy the EXACT pair I was trying on for $30 less, and FREE freight; the party host charges about $2.00 for freight, even though you have them in your hands.

The sizing is off, they’re TOTAL knock-offs, and bad ones at that! Buyer beware. Go to a party, but do your homework and Google on the spot, you may be surprised as to what you find!

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Matco Tools distributor program has become a hotly debated subject on UnhappyFranchisee.com.

This post is meant to provide significant reference material and important documents for the ongoing Matco Tools franchise distributorship debate.

A blog post on MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints set off a lively debate between Matco distributors.

Also read:  Mobile Tool Franchise Issues & Index

Further heating up the debate is a class action lawsuit filed against Matco Tools & TD Bank alleging they conspired to defraud the SBA and new Matco distributors into entering high-risk loans that were likely to fail. Read about the lawsuit here:

FRANCHISE LAWSUIT Alleges Matco Tools Scam, TD Bank Fraud

MATCO TOOLS Class Action Lawsuit, “Secret” Sales Projections

Why are some Matco Tools distributors adamant that the Matco distributor program is fair while others insist that the Matco System is rigged for them to fail?

One point of difference seems to be that the rules are different for distributors with older agreements. For that reason, we are posting the Matco Tools Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD) for 2010, 2011 & 2012.

These are the versions Matco Tools filed with the state of Minnesota to meet its franchise disclosure laws:

MATCO TOOLS 2012 FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT

MATCO TOOLS 2011 FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT

MATCO TOOLS 2010 FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT

Matco Tools distributors who had joined prior to October, 1992 were eligible for a special Charter Agreement. Some have contended that those with the oldest agreements have the most lenient terms and greater chance of success than those who sign today. The Charter Agreement Q&A’s were posted on the Matco Distributor Association Facebook page:

MATCO TOOLS Charter Agreement Q&A Part 1 (click to enlarge)

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MATCO TOOLS Charter Agreement Q&A Part 2 (click to enlarge)

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Relevant Links:

Debbie Solko’s Lady Matco distributor site

Matco Tools Distributor Association Facebook Page

Matco Tools Corporate Website

Matco Tools Franchise Sales Site

Do you have any relevant resource documents that we can post? If so, feel free to email them to UnhappyFranchisee[at]gmail.com.

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Contact the author or site admin at UnhappyFranchisee[at]gmail.com.

Jiffy Lube franchise marketing contends:  “Starting and running your own business is both a rewarding and complex process.

As the pioneer and leader of the quick lube industry, Jiffy Lube knows what works and what doesn’t.

We focus on the elements that are critical to business operation in addition to offering innovative programs to attract and retain customers.

Since 1979, we’ve been helping individuals realize their dreams of owning a business.”

Is The Jiffy Lube Franchise System Broken?

The Internet is flooded, it seems, with angry consumer complaints about Jiffy Lube.

(See JIFFY LUBE Consumer Complaints)

What does this say about the franchise program?  An inadequate business model?  Poor training?  Lack of franchisee qualification, supervision or quality control?

Are you a Jiffy Lube franchise owner, former franchisee or employee?  What do you think?  Share a comment below.

Here are some representative complaints and criticisms of Jiffy Lube franchise centers:

JiffyNotSoJiffy writes:

Jiffy Lube should be called: Jiffy "bring your car, hurry up and wait while our apathetic, under-staffed employees work on getting around to you, at some point, if at first they don’t say…it’s going to be a while before we can get to you" Lube.

There’s NEVER anything Jiffy about Jiffy Lube. I’ve never seen a company so willing to let money walk away.

Why on a Sunday when the rest of the world is off does Jiffy Lube open with 2 people? That leaves a two-bay shop with one bay doing nothing…stupid, stupid, stupid.

Worst attitude and customer service ever. I’ll never visit a Jiffy Lube again and I recommend the same to the rest of you. Where’s the franchise owner making sure employees are doing what they’re paid to do? I suspect if they knew how apathetic their staff was they’d take some immediate action to improve customer service.

Sorry JL, you’ve lost a customer and as many customers I can convince NEVER to give you their money.

toleworks writes:

After getting a $19.99 quote over the phone and verifying the price with the check-in mechanic for a basic oil change, I was presented with a $47 bill. The manager said that I must have called a different store since that there were no $19.99 oil changes at this location. After I pointed out that the $19.99 price was actually on the check-in sheet, the manager said that this was a sheet from another store. HUH? He promptly reversed his story and gave me the oil change at the $19.99 rate.

I promptly made sure that the other 4 or 5 people in the store knew what a great deal I was getting and that they were going to be ripped off shortly. Where the $47 price came from I do not know, thier listed Signature Oil Change is $37.99.

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Do you have a complaint with Jiffy Lube?  Please share your experience and your complaint in the comment section below.

Jiffy Lube is the largest system of franchised service centers in the fast lube industry.

Jiffy Lube® International, Inc. (JLI) has more than 2,000 franchised service centers in North America, serving approximately 24 million customers each year.

Headquartered in Houston, TX, Jiffy Lube is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Shell Oil Company. 

Jiffy Lube service centers are 100 percent franchise-owned, independently owned and operated by 252 entity groups.

Jiffy Lube also seems to be the target of its share of customer complaints, exposes and hidden camera investigations.

JIFFY LUBE Consumer Complaints

Here are just a sampling or recent Jiffy Lube consumer complaints posted online on such complaint sites as Ripoff Report and ComplaintsBoard.com.

newtominnesota writes:

I am new to town, so took my Honda to the Jiffy Lube in Hopkins, MN for an oil change.  I was told by (the manager?) Justin, that my car had no fuel filter, and that if I did not have my fuel system cleaned, that my injectors?? would clog up.  Sounded reasonable, so I approved the service.

 
Later, at the dealer for another service under warranty, the mechanic told me the Honda DOES have a fuel filter, in the fuel tank, designed to last the life of the car.  Also, that although these fuel system cleaners are not necessarily BAD, I was sold the service under totally false pretenses.

 
Now, I don’t mid paying for reasonably required or recommended service, but I was OUTRIGHT LIED TO, and that really makes me angry. Since Justin took the opportunity to lie to a NEW customer, I will no longer patronize this Jiffy Lube, and will warn all my friends and co-workers to stay away as well.

steve writes of Jiffy Lube Atlantic Coast Enterprises Miami, Florida:

I watched as the oil change was being done to my car, noticed that they did not vacuum the floor, clean the windows nor checked my tire pressure. I thought maybe that the old service of those things being conduct were not done anymore, since I had not been to a jiffy lube in a long time. But when I got home I noticed that the invoice reflected that all of those things were done, when in fact they were not.

linda m.of Sicklerville, New Jersey writes of Jiffy Lube # 438 Turnersville New Jersey:

My daughter who is 17 went to Jiffy Lube for a basic oil change with a $10.00 off coupon.  The total cost for it should have been $25.99.  Instead she left paying $127.38.  They also changed the air filter for $22.99 and changed the radiator fluid replacement for $69.99.

This was a total rip off.  In speaking to the manager of Jiffy Lube, he said they asked her about it first.  My daughter said they did mention the air filter, but did not say anything about the radiator fluid replacement.  The manager just kept saying well we asked her. 

I will never use Jiffy Lube again and neither will anyone I know.  They took total advantage of a 17 year old. 

SportsFan claims that the Salem New Hampshire Jiffy Lube destroyed his car’s engine due to the oil reservoir being empty:

I brought my car into Jiffy Lube in June of 2011.  I purchased the signature service with upgraded synthetic oil.  After driving some weeks later, my engine started making knocking noises, and what sounded to be "flapping" noises as well.  Upon bring my Ford Escape Hybrid to the local dealer, I was told that the engine was dry of oil.  I was also told that there were no leaks! 

I was also informed that the engine was destroyed, and would have to be replaced, at a cost of over $5,000.  I got a second opinion from an independent repair shop, and was told the same thing.

Upon contacting the Jiffy Lube store, I was told the it wasn’t their fault, and they refused to help and hung up the phone on me. They claimed that they put a number of quarts into the can, yet I know that the oil is added manually by employees via a hand held "gun" dispenser. 

I am looking for justice through the State of New Hampshire court system.

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SNAP Fitness Franchise Complaints are plentiful on the Internet.

Do you have a SNAP Fitness Franchise Complaint?  Please share it below. 

Do you love Snap Fitness?  Please tell us why in a comment below!

Also read:  ANYTIME FITNESS Franchise Complaints

Snap Fitness franchise marketing claims that “The Snap Fitness franchise concept is the wave of the future. Regardless of the condition of our Nation’s economy, people always appreciate good value. With single memberships as low as US$22.50 per month, your Snap Fitness franchise provides a great alternative to the big box health club concepts available today

Snap Fitness promises world-class support, including:

• Site Selection
• Lease Negotiations
• Location Build-out
• Ordering Initial Materials & Supplies
• Hands on training at our Minneapolis corporate offices
• On-site sales staff the entire 1st week of your store opening
• Ongoing monthly training and sales seminars

Snap Fitness Franchise Complaints

However, unhappy Snap Fitness franchise owners, former owners and employees tell a different story.

On Blue Mau Mau, a failed Snap Fitness franchisee wrote:

Don’t believe the sales pitch that you can run a successful snap while also working full time somewhere else. This would only work if you are able to pay a full time, sales oriented manager.

Also, you most likely will NOT breakeven within the first 6 months. It could take 12-18 months or more. Make sure you have the financial resources to subsidize your business for the long haul.

These were my two biggest mistakes. I didn’t have the time, energy or finances to keep my business going.

Guest wrote:

My experience in the fitness industry cost me over $200,000. These franchisors are theives at best…

Snap Fitness Crap wrote:

If you choose to sign with Snap Fitness…..Beware

If you become dissatisfied with them and don’t want to renew your agreement, they have a clause in the agreement that prevents you from doing business on your own for two years. Peter Taunton is no better then a mob boss forcing franchisees to stay with him. And the sad part is that they really don’t do anything to help you succeed, except have their name, which I have found no one is familiar with the name anyway unless they have actually driven by a Snap in their area. Biggest mistake I have ever made in my life.

Guest wrote:

Why do Snap Fitness franchises fail?

1. Inaccurate representation of potential financial success by corporate

2. Factual statistics about financial health of current franchisees “not available”

3. Weak business model

4. Inadequate support provided to franchisees by corporate

5. “No contract” memberships become a liability in time

6. Billing, software and technical equipment continually have issues

7. Requires turnover of staff to keep costs low. Revolving door employees.

8. Return on investment, if any, is scant and unjustified for the amount of risk

9. CORPORATE IS MAKING HUGE PROFITS WHILE FRANCHISEES ARE WIPING OUT

PETER TAUNTON = Case # 24040055, Court File # K598001371, Disposition Date 3/18/1999, Minnesota Attorney General’s Office St. Paul, Kaniyohi District Court, Theft-by Swindle-Artifice/Trick/Device or Other, Statute # 609.52.2.4., CONVICTED, Probation Sentence – 2 Years

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Anytime Fitness Franchise Complaints:  Add yours as a comment below!  Love the Anytime Fitness franchise?  Tell us why!

Are you familiar with the Anytime Fitness franchise opportunity? Please share a comment below.

Also read:  SNAP FITNESS Franchise Complaints

If you are searching for the right franchise opportunity, we hope you brought a shovel.

Even the absolute worst franchise disasters seem to receive high rankings in Entrepreneur and accolades in the mainstream business media.

Do some digging to find out the truth – then post it on UnhappyFranchisee.com for others to see.

Is Anytime Fitness A Great Franchise Bet?

In 2011, CNN.com named Anytime Fitness one of its “10 Great Franchise Bets.”

CNN made this pronouncement based almost solely on Anytime Fitness’ relatively low SBA loan default rate of 2.7%.

CNN wrote:  “Anytime Fitness, a chain of gyms, offers customers workouts at their convenience. The clubs are open 24 hours a day. Members can exercise even when a club is not staffed, thanks to proprietary access software, security and surveillance technology.

“Co-founders Dave Mortensen, Chuck Runyon and Jeff Klinger — who has since left the company — opened the first club in 2002 in Cambridge, Minn. Less than 10 years later, there are nearly 1,600 clubs nationwide with more than 1.1 million members.

“More than half of the club owners have more than one location. Running an Anytime Fitness gym involves relatively low overhead, because large numbers of employees are not required. “

“…Of 147 SBA-backed loans between 2005 and 2010, there were just four defaults.

Reports of Anytime Fitness Closings & Franchise Failures

Despite the CNN’s implication that only four Anytime Fitness franchises have failed, a quick Google search reveals a different story.

Anonymous writes Maplewood, MN Anytime Fitness closed yesterday ( 5/25/11 ) and I showed up to exercise since management did not have the courtesy to notify any of the members.

Yelp reports Anytime Fitness – CLOSED 2501 7th St W St Paul, MN 55116

ABC57 reports SOUTH BEND, Ind.– Anytime Fitness is closing its doors at Eddy Street Commons.

Rasmus Auctioneers wrote:  Anytime Fitness at Broadlands Center. Rasmus will make a complete liquidation of cardio, excess circuit, plated, strength and excercise equipment, office & business assets by internet only auction

Union County Weekly wrote:  Stallings Anytime Fitness on Idlewild Road closed its doors on the last day of the year

Anytime Fitness franchise owners Chad and Jenni Riegel wrote: Dear Anytime Fitness Member, We regret to inform that we are forced to close anytime fitness – New Haven on August 31, 2011.

bcintron wrote:  I was a member of the E. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV gym for three months, the gym was only open for about 5 months.

We could go on…

Anytime Fitness Franchise Complaints

Anonymous writes:

All is not what it seems. A great concept except ATF wants all the control by making it mandatory to us ABC Financial. ATF owns ABC and this to me is a conflict of interest to the gym owner. As long as they have their hands on your money the only people that make money is them… this is not a easy business and far more difficult than what they try to make it out to be.Plus on average I would say that between the two of them you will be paying about 10-12% of your gross income to them which doesn’t leave much for you.

Bend Over Chuck writes:

BE PREPARED FOR THE MASS CLOSINGS OF BOTH FRANCHISES IN THE NEAR FUTURE. Besides a weak business model and crappy customer service most 24/7 clubs throughout the country are performing business contrary to the current state, county and city laws and regulations. BUYER BEWARE!

ANYTIMEASSHOLES writes

The owner of the anytime fitness in Ortley Beach New Jersey had the franchise for about 5 years. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a debilitating incurable disease. The franchise could not turn a profit so he had to close down when the franchise license and the lease on the property expired.

How did ANYTIME respond? By harassing the owner, sending threating letters from their scumbag ambulance chasing attorneys and threatening to sue the owner. They sent a private investigator to New Jersey to look for ways to screw the owner further. For what? Instead of letting him close the franchise and move forward with his life, made complicated by multiple sclerosis, these scumbags from anytime and their lowlife lawyers had to harass him and make his life difficult….

Anyone who wants to do business with these lowlife scumbags deserves all the bad experiences they will bring . They are the lowest of the low and don’t deserve to be a part of the American franchise field. They and their lawyers are the lowest form of life on the planet. They are all greedy un-caring scum.

NO HEART, ANYTIME wrote:

This company’s leader is Chuck Runyon CEO. The company is all about one thing and one thing only, MAKING $$$. The owners and management have signed contracts with their franchisees and they are going to enforce the letter of the law! Franchisees are getting screwed and passing this behavior onto their members. It is a vicious cycle. Corporate is making BANK while franchisees are wiping out. It is tragic for all of the franchisees who bought into this business model based on the information AF corporate sales provided. Does anyone really know how many AF’s are even making money?

ARE YOU AN ANYTIME FITNESS FRANCHISE OWNER OR FORMER FRANCHISEE?  ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE ANYTIME FITNESS FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY?  SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

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