Franchise Watch: Java Jo’z, Emerald Coast Mfgr., Roy Snowden
A recent post by Robert Scoble on his Scobelizer blog highlights the problems his brother Ben, encountered after signing a franchise agreement for a Java Jo’z coffee franchise. According to Ben’s account, posted on his website, Ben and a partner gave the company a $30,000 refundable downpayment, contingent upon their being able to locate a suitable location in Richmond, VA. According to Ben, they could not find a site and requested their $30,000 back. That’s when the fun began.
Phone calls, emails & letters weren’t returned. They then learned that Java Jo’z President Roy Snowden pled guilty to 5 counts of Evasion of Payment of Income Taxes and one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the IRS. (Read about more at EmeraldCoast.com or the review of Java Jo’z at FamousReviews.com ) Snowden had also been the subject of an FTC enforcement action. When Ben Scoble finally received a letter from Snowden, it was allegedly to say he was broke.
Before you invest, you should investigate not only the company, but the past dealings of the individuals with whom you are investing your trust – and your money. It may take some digging. There’s a complaint against Java Jo’z posted on the Rip Off Report dated 1/27/2005 alleging the same scenario. “Steve” allegedly gave Java Jo’z Roy Snowden and his partner Ben Doyle a $20,000 deposit, couldn’t find a location and when they asked for a refund were told to pound sand.
Thanks to the influential Scoble’s posts, it will be tough for anyone who does a Google search not to catch wind of this debacle. Caveat Emptor.
I believe it will be bloggers who will eventually be providing the honest information prospective franchise owners need to find the best opportunities and the most reputable franchisors… and to avoid the crooks, scammers and the bad deals. That’s what Franchise Pick, our satirical FranWorst.com blog and the rest of the FranBest.com network of sites is all about. Until there’s a lot more information posted across the Blogosphere, you’ve got to dig for information before you invest… and resist the temptation to let them tell you only what you want to hear.
If you have more information, insights or opinions regarding Java Jo’z, Roy Snowden or Emerald Coast Manufacturing, please leave a comment or email us at info[at]ideafarm[dot]net.
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POSTED IN: JAVA JO'Z/CUPPY'S, xBuyer Beware
18 opinions for Franchise Watch: Java Jo’z, Emerald Coast Mfgr., Roy Snowden
Java Jo’z, Cuppy’s Coffee, Emerald Coast Mfgr., Roy Snowden at
Jan 8, 2007 at 2:04 pm
[…] Franchise Pick: Overview of the Ben Scoble allegations against the Java Jo’z franchise. […]
Blue MauMau
Jan 8, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Java Jo’z Controversy Gaining Attention Via Blogs…
According to Ben Scoble, he paid a $30,000 refundable downpayment for a Java Jo'z drive-thru coffee franchise. He was unable to find a location but, according to Scoble, the company will not refund his deposit.
Others in the same situat…
Company says Java Jo’z is NOT Cuppy’s Coffee & More at
Jan 9, 2007 at 9:50 am
[…] Confusion seems to be widespread, perhaps since Java Jo’z and Cuppy’s have the same corporate address, their domain names are registered to the same owner, they seem to have similar business concepts, some of the same corporate employees and they seem to share modified versions of the same logo. However, according to Cuppy’s, the only relationship presently existing between Java Jo’z and Cuppy’s Coffee & More is a mutual right to use a certain logo (visible at the Java Jo’z and Cuppy’s websites). According to a Cuppy’s spokesperson, Roy Snowden has no ownership, control or affiliation with them, and the widely publicized dispute between Ben Scoble and Java Jo’z does not involve them. According to Cuppy’s, they have never had a contractual relationship with Ben Scoble. […]
Coffee Franchise Blogs to Top Google Position at
Jan 9, 2007 at 12:05 pm
[…] Steven Lewis posted the story of how Robert Scoble, publisher of the tech blog Scobeleizer, posted an account of his brother Ben’s dispute with Java Jo’z. The influential blogger’s single post dominated search engine rankings almost immediately, displacing any positive placement Java Jo’z may have worked to achieve. […]
Trisha A. Paliotti
Jan 10, 2007 at 2:46 pm
I just wanted to add something to this. Not only is Roy P. Snowden and his wife crooks…But they are monsters. Roy and Kim ran a Door to Door traveling sales crew where he worked us kids like dogs and Kept most of our money. We worked 10-12 hr days.Six days a week.We were kids away from home, trying to survive.ronicly they let me go for not being honest and left me at a bus station in St. PAul w/ no money and no ticket.I was 19 and scared. Someone should take this evil man off the streets for ever.
Thanks
Trisha A.Paliotti
Cuppys Coffee
Jan 15, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Official Statement from Cuppy’s Coffee & More
In May 2006, Medina Enterprises, a Nevada based company, purchased the assets of Java Jo’z Coffee & More, LLC, and Emerald Coast Manufacturing Inc. From this transaction, the principle owner of Medina formed an association with another individual, and Cuppy’s Coffee & More, an international coffee franchise, emerged.
Through this transaction, Cuppy’s Coffee obtained the rights to the logos, assumed the leases and acquired a majority of the equipment. A majority of the former employees of Java Jo’z were offered positions and are now employed at Cuppy’s.
Java Jo’z still exists as a licensing company and is owned by Kim Snowden. Roy and Kim Snowden have no financial, operational, or legal association with Cuppy’s Coffee.
Although Cuppy’s Coffee holds no legal obligation to provide marketing, operational, or product support to the Java Jo’z customers, Cuppy’s has chosen to offer these services to the Java Jo’z owners.
Since August 2006, Cuppy’s Coffee has been inviting any coffee business (including Java Jo’z customers) the opportunity to convert into a Cuppy’s franchise. For conversion details please contact Rudy Harper at rudy@medinamgt.com
Trisha A. PAliotti
Jan 16, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Hi I am just adding on to this last person comment.Ease up on him? Yea milion dollar mind set, is that what you call it. I worked for a mag sales crew. World Media International Inc, Run by Roy P. Snowden and Kimberly(kim)Snowden,I traveled through your city knocking on doors. Why there is not some protection in place for these kids, more then a randaom story or Blog. This man was just convicted on 5 counts of Tax evasion and defrauding the IRS. I have a tax lean on my credit report from him not filing the taxes he said he was paying!!!! We were kids, and many lives have been Ruined by these people. Freezing cold tempertures and 12-14 hr work days….$15-$20 a day if we were lucky. Then when you don’t make the cut they drop you at a bus station, spit on you and leave eyou w/ no money no ticket, in some ghetto bus station!More, More More needs to be done about this. And it starts with the people answering the doors. Don’t or if you do tak ethat kid in your house and tell them what is really going on and get them help. These kids are used to make millions of dollars for these dirty old men and thier dirty wives. I pray for the children of these people everyday! I tell you one thing there is no Justice, for these kids.This man has also screwed a bunch of People who were investing in his Java Jo’ z (cuppy’s) Franchise, many people were milked out of 30,000 dollars or more~Any other kids out there who worked for Roy P. Snowden And Kimberly (Kim)Snowden let me know!!!!!!
Posted by Trisha A. Paliotti at 11:39 AM
Labels: Magzine Sales Crew
HBean
Jan 17, 2007 at 6:38 pm
I am a former employee for CUPPY’S Coffee- It is true, they send calls all over the company, we were told not to talk to people, we were told to lie to people, and we were told to ignore when asking for a refund. If someone asks for their refund we were to refer them to an email address, and not take their calls beyond that. It is a big lie, all of it. The staff is full of under-educated, young kids and old crooks. The reason why they hire such a young staff is so they can give them a speech about how great Cuppys is once a week and motivate them to tell more lies and take more money!!
Stay away from Robert Morgan and his band of CROOKS!
the Franchise Pundit
Jan 19, 2007 at 12:09 am
[…] There has been a lot of negative blogger buzz with shark ferocity surrounding Cuppy’s Coffee and Java Jo’z because of exposure on blogs and online forums. Apparently, Cuppy’s Coffee (formed in May 2006) purchased the assets of Java Jo’z Coffee & More, LLC. Big deal? Well, allegedly some employees of Cuppy’s and Java Jo’z are the same, but most importantly Java Jo’z had dozens of angry people wanting their $20-30,000 franchisee fee returned. The Java Jo’z franchisor owner was hauled off to jail on a tax evasion charge, so where can the franchisees get relief? The Franchise Agreement does not provide for a refund of franchise fee, but allegedly oral promises were made to franchisees by Java Jo’z and its CEO, Roy Snowden. One could imagine a possible scenario where principals decided to start a new company (Cuppy’s Coffee), buy the assets of the old company (Java Jo’s), and leave behind the franchise fee return liabilities. Did that happen? I don’t know, but the asset sale under impending bankruptcy is suspicious. I have a few questions: […]
Franchisors Extend Goodwill Offers to Java Jo’z Victims at
Jan 19, 2007 at 9:43 am
[…] Franchise Pick Overview of Java Jo’z/ Cuppy’s Controversy […]
A Happy Cuppy's Employee
Jan 21, 2007 at 8:48 pm
This is in regard to
HBean, January 17, 2007 - 6:38 pm
HELLO HOLLY,
So this is the way you deal with being fired?! How sad for you
The truth is that this company has been good to you and the rest of us. Morg is a good man. He wants the best for the company and all of us… you too.
Like he always says in those meetings you referred to, “Who’s the most important person in our company?” Then we all answer, The Franchisee!!! Then he grins and says “That’s exactly right!” Morg cares about people in general.
And by the way, I don’t see him defending himself against all this. Men of great integrity, like Morg, usually don’t attack back.
This is what Cuppy’s employees experience on a daily basis:
Morg staying focused and productive! Many of the calls that come in everyday are sent all over the company because we usually don’t know exactly where Morg can be found, since he spends very little time sitting at his desk. He is all over the office, ensuring that each department is in sync with each franchisee and receiving the best care possible from all departments.
Sorry you couldn’t keep your job, Holly. Honestly, your comments don’t surprise me; you didn’t get along with anyone here because of the ugly (false) rumors you spread about your co-workers from week one. Still, I can’t help but wish you the best and another chance at a great job.
Beverly
Jun 2, 2007 at 9:23 am
You must be didling the boss because you don’t have a clue about how the franchisees see the company. If they arn’t happy then something must be going on that is not right. Instead of worrying about what an old employee is saying read the rest of the blogs about all the unhappy people paying your salary. Get a clue!
Beverly
Jun 2, 2007 at 9:29 am
To the Happy Employee
You must be didling your beloved boss because you don’t have a clue about how the franchisees are feeling. Instead of worrying about an old employee, you should be reading all the blogs from unhappy people who are paying your salary.
RRivera
Jun 29, 2007 at 6:17 am
We are short 30K and are still trying to get it back. Cuppy’s (aka Java Jo’z) response to my calls was good luck at that and hung up. Good buss. practices. STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!!! Its a ripoff no matter how they sugar coat it.
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Aug 23, 2007 at 3:03 pm
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How to Make $75 MILLION in 3 EZ Steps! at PIGASYS
Aug 23, 2007 at 3:36 pm
[…] really brilliant part? Quiznos was smart enough not to sell a franchise to Robert Scoble OR his […]
Karen
Jan 8, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I need to know if anyone got involved with Planet
Popolicious?This was part of the Medina Enterprise and Cuppys.It started up as a Franchise last year when the Java Joz became Cuppy’s.I cannot find the nice colorful website anymore.Would appreciate any info or comments.
FranchisePick.Com Named Top Franchise Blog
Mar 19, 2008 at 8:44 pm
[…] franchise blogger (see Bloggers alarmed at Scoble’s Deleted Posts, Cuppy’s Coffee situation, Franchise Watch: Java Jo’z, Emerald Coast Mfgr., Roy Snowden, The Death of the Blogosphere OR Who’s Killing the Cuppy’s Java Jo’z Blog Dialogue?) His big […]
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