Comments on: Butterfly Life Franchise Lawsuit in Forbes

By: sean

sean — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:29:52 +0000

Please visit and comment on the interview with Butterfly Life franchise owner Matt Wilson.

Please forward these links to others who would be interested, and encourage them to comment.
Franchise Pick: BUTTERFLY LIFE: Unhappy Franchisee Interview With Matt Wilson, Franchise Owner
AllBusiness.com: Unhappy Franchisee Matt Wilson Shares His Expensive Lessons
UnhappyFranchisee.com: BUTTERFLY LIFE: Interview With Franchisee Matt Wilson
Read other Butterfly Life franchisee interviews

By: Butterfly Life’s Golob: Failed Franchise Owners Should Blame Themselves

Butterfly Life’s Golob: Failed Franchise Owners Should Blame Themselves — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:40:38 +0000

[...] Butterfly Life Franchise Lawsuit in Forbes Franchise Pick’s Most Volatile Posts of 2007: A Wrap-Up Franchise Dreams Becoming Nightmares for Many Fitness Club Owners Will the REAL Butterfly Life Franchise Please Wave Its Wings? IS BUTTERFLY LIFE A GREAT FITNESS FRANCHISE? [...]

By: The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Small Business Failure

The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Small Business Failure — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:43:40 +0000

[...] Butterfly Life Franchise Lawsuit in Forbes24 Hour Fitness Chairman Mastrov ResignsWill the REAL Butterfly Life Franchise Please Wave Its Wings?IS BUTTERFLY LIFE A GREAT FITNESS FRANCHISE? [...]

By: Fortune Article Spotlights Butterfly Life Franchise Woes

Fortune Article Spotlights Butterfly Life Franchise Woes — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:08:35 +0000

[...] Life Franchise, Contours Express Franchise & Fitness Franchise Woes January 18th, 2008 Butterfly Life Franchise Lawsuit in Forbes December 20th, 2007 Troubled Fitness Franchise Butterfly Life Lowers Franchisee Royalties December [...]

By: sean

sean — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:02:32 +0000

The list of all FranchisePick.com articles & posts on 30 Minute Fitness Franchise news & issues has been updated:

30 Minute Fitness Club Franchises: Blogliography

Links include the Forbes story, FitnessBusinessPro article and links to stories on the Curves franchise, the Contours Express franchise, the Butterfly Life franchise, the 1-2-3 Fit franchise and others.

Feel free to check it out and let me know if there are links I should add.

By: DB

DB — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:26:04 +0000

Sean,

Would you please provide the 30 minute concept link again?

Also, one to the Fitness Business Pro article when it comes out?

Lastly, the article in Forbes was very much on point. However, it did fail to mention the white elephant in the corner. Franchisors such as BFL prey on a specific demographic of investor. It would seem the Wilson’s were a rare case. In most cases they look for older, soon to retire types with a nest egg or other source of “disposable” income. They play to their desire to help women. They are of an age where working for someone has lost it’s attraction so being their own boss if very attractive. Lastly if they can increase their retirement fund in the process then what could be better? Companies like BFL know full a large percentage of their franchises will fail. In fact, given their lengthy experience in the industry can probably spot the telltale signs sooner than anyone else.

So why do they continue? A quote I heard third hand reportedly from Mr. Golob says it all “we are not in the business of operating franchises, we are in the business of selling them”. Or in other words, it’s all about the money!

DB

By: sean

sean — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:20:19 +0000

Industry publication ClubFitnessPro is doing a story on Butterfly Life and 1-2-3 Fit that will appear in their February issue. They did the story on 30 minute concept struggles in November, which we linked to.

By: Fool me once

Fool me once — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:24:24 +0000

Rumor has it that BFL is attempting to sell out to Curves, etc. Can’t believe anyone would touch them with a ten foot pole knowing there’s a class action arbitration pending against them. Does anyone have info on this? Read the great article in Forbes…if they followed up with all franchisees (and area reps who need to get their heads out of the sand) they would have great articles for at least a year! I heard coming soon to a neighborhood near you…more articles in Wall Street Journal, IHRSA, Franchise Times…and maybe they’ll finally get their “national branding” on 60 minutes or 20/20 or Primetime!!! Stay tuned!

By: Sunshine

Sunshine — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:42:43 +0000

AND …todays mail holds this for some of the remaining BFL franchisee’s………and the story goes on with more lies to try to protect themselves( Corp.). Did they send out an email to the remaining “open and happy and successful” club owners about the counter suit filed against them..why NO! Wondering why not?
Read this email sent out today:
“We have been made aware of the negative smear tactics in the e-mails that have gone out in regards to the Amendment. It’s sad that this small disgruntled group continues to spread lies and negativity designed to hurt your business and the company. It’s a false and desperate attempt to prevent you from receiving major benefits for your franchise business. The truth is they really don’t care what happens to you or the fact that you need to remain positive and upbeat in order for your business to get your quality time and attention.
We are committed to adding value and helping you grow your business each and every day. The revenue producing programs we are launching will provide extra revenue to your bottom line and help your members get better results. We will continue to work for you adding great programs and services. All of us staff at the corporate office are here to support you each and every day. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.”

Where the hell was all the support and concern 12-18 months ago? Could it be that all those “disgruntled, bad business people” were smart enough to get the attention of those in command? If the lies were all lies ( and could not be backed up) does anyone think this case would be heading into arbritration? If so, I have a broker that would love to sell you some beautiful sunny white sand beachfront property in San Ramon.

By: Fool me once

Fool me once — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:26:54 +0000

Good article. Too bad there wasn’t more detail of the lawsuit with BFL. One addition…the article stated there were ten members bringing the lawsuit…actually they are only class representatives of MANY members who are involved in the lawsuit. Keep your eyes open for more articles to come…………..