Comments on: Raving Brands CEO Martin Sprock is the Greatest, Most Generous Guy in the World

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:12:28 +0000

More folks that do NOT think Sprock is the greatest guy in the world? Apparently, his top management!!!

http://www.nrn.com/breakingNews.aspx?id=356140

http://www.fastcasual.com/article.php?id=11086

By: sean

sean — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:27:22 +0000

What are phantom screens? Are those the screens that look like a mirror or painting or something until you turn on the TV and they magically turn into The Biggest Loser? No doubt Mr Sprock has them set to portraits of the most generous guy in the world – just as inspiration to visitors.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:39:53 +0000

Martin Sprock is definitely NOT the greatest most generous guy in the world. Installed Phantom Screens in his house in Linville, NC in July 2007. Can not get him to pay the $2100 he owes us, won’t return phone calls, and actually hung up on me once. I agree that he is a slimeball.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:25:16 +0000

I agree, Sean. The food is good. That’s because it’s Willy’s food specs/recipes, which I understand Sprock bought during the negotiations with willy’s owner to franchise Willy’s. Willy’s was/is a proven place in Atlanta well before Moe’s came along. Most Atlanta folks know Willy’s–bare bones place (~10+ units now) with very good food. No confusing menu board or “style,” as you say.

My warning to prospective ‘zees: if RB comes calling, run in the opposite direction…

By: sean

sean — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:29:29 +0000

It’s a shame. The food at Moe’s is actually pretty good, but it was evident early on that the concept was not fully developed before the expansion push. In my opinion, the menuboards were indecipherable… and the names more obscure and off-putting than clever (I saw a 60 year old lady choking over ordering an “ugly naked guy”). The celebrity portraits were an obvious infringement from the start.

Prospective franchisees, learn the lesson: You can get away with style over substance for a period of time… but that period is much shorter than the term of your franchise agreement. Even if your franchisor is the greatest, most generous guy in the world!

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:38:56 +0000

Sean-
Don’t know PJ’s details, except that PJ’s is a existing, well-known local and very good brand in N’awlins. My guess is that it was a tough sell for Sprock et al. to potential franchisees outside that area, which is pretty saturated. RB apparently does not do well with long-time, local brands–not their thing. They also don’t like skin-in-the-game, just royalties (and kick-backs).

As such, Sprock and his cronies are only about selling, not building or supporting a brand, then stealing as much as they can from their “partners” with ad fees and kick-backs before selling out.

Why did RB rapidly expand the number of their concepts after Moe’s took off? Throw it all against a wall and see what sticks, that’s why. No business model, no support, no skin-in-the-game to truly know the business they franchise and sell.

Simply put, Sprock is a scummy snake-oil salesman and thief.

And, btw, one more person who thinks Sprock is NOT the Greatest Guy in the World? The Federal judge in Atlanta presiding over the Wheatley case who personally sanctioned Sprock for not co-operating with discovery requests re: his financials. Wonder why?

By: sean

sean — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:06:07 +0000

Joe:
Quite a thorough chronology.
What’s the scoop with PJs selling?
Also, your last line (Not exactly the stuff of the Greatest Guy in the World…) shows that you didn’t read very carefully because everyone else is jumping up and down saying what a generous and great guy Martin Sprock is. Except Anne Wheatly. And you. And Jerry Garcia… and he isn’t jumping up and down for anyone.

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:00:09 +0000

Sprock Progression:
-opens failed bars (Clarence Fosters) in Charlotte/Atlanta;
-copies Smoothie King and franchises Planet Smoothie to low/moderate success, at least for the franchisees he suckered;
-Sprock copies the food of Willy’s in Atlanta for Moe’s, after approaching Willy’s re: franchising in 2000;
-In late 2000/early 2001, opens 1st/only corporate Moe’s (with Willy’s food) to sell franchises with kitschy image artwork/music;
-sells many units perfoming no due diligence (read legal) re: artwork;
-estate(s) of dead artists whose images are in artwork sue…artwork removed from all stores;
-Buys PJ’s coffee;
-uses bathroom art without permission from artist…artist sues;
-opens 1 unit Mama Fu’s to sell franchises;
-wealthy Moe’s franchisees sue in Texas claiming no business model/support…case settles;
-opens 1 Doc Green’s to sell franchises;
-buys Shane’s rib shack;
-vast majority of mama fu’s franchises fail/failing
-Mama fu’s franchisees sue claiming, among other things, no support;
-early Moe’s franchisees find out via mama fu’s lawsuit and from food distributor that, among other things, improper rebates (violates early UFOCs) are funneled to a company in which Sprock is an owner;
-Moe’s franchisees sue;
-Moe’s sold to FOCUS;
-Doc Green’s franchisees sue claiming fraudulent activity (e.g., improper rebates, food give-away prior to potential franchisee visits);
-Mama Fu’s sold to the largest and apparently only succesful franchisee;
-PJ’s coffee sold to franchisee…

Future:
-Look for Doc Green’s to sell/close down soon;
-Look for a Shane’s blow-up, etc.

Basic Sprock methodology:
-Copy and build 1 store
-Sell (including lying to potential franchisees) franchises
-Steal
-get sued
-Defend lawsuits
-Sell out
-Defend lawsuits

Not exactly the stuff of the Greatest Guy in the World…

By: sean

sean — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:49:56 +0000

Also Check out: Franchise Marketing Ploy Has Franchise Owners Raving Mad
And
http://www.franchisepick.com/doc-greens-franchise-owners-seeing-red/#comment-27927

By: Doc Green’s Franchise Owners Seeing Red

Doc Green’s Franchise Owners Seeing Red — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:46:53 +0000

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