Complaint Review: Minuteman Press International Inc - Farmingdale New York

The Minuteman Press franchise system causes its franchisees to suffer disastrous losses. The experiences of Minuteman Press franchisees in the Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) illustrate the consequences of the fraudulent conduct, the unconscionable conduct, the misleading and deceptive conduct and the general misconduct of Minuteman Press.

In 2009 Minuteman Press had 5 franchise stores in NSW and 3 franchise stores in QLD, i.e. total 8 stores in the two states.

In 2012 Minuteman Press had 4 franchise stores in NSW and 4 franchise stores in QLD, i.e. total 8 stores in the two states.

For the 14 years from 2005 to 2018 no less than 37 franchisees in NSW and QLD had to either close or sell their loss-making businesses. All these franchisees invested their hard-earned money in their businesses relying on the false promises of Bob Titus (MPI President), Michael Jutt (MPI Senior Executive Vice President), George Holzmacher (MPI Vice President), Andy Barrett (MPI Regional Vice President), Glen Coyle (MPI Area Manager), Jeffrey Lewis (MPI Area Manager) and Chris Jutt (MPI Area Manager).

The franchisee must pay Minuteman Press an initial fee of $61,050 when it opens a new Minuteman Press store, whilst the new franchisee must pay Minuteman Press a transfer fee of $25,850 when it buys an existing franchise store.

The profitability of Minuteman Press International Inc. is totally dependent on receiving the initial fees and the transfer fees.

The store locations of the failed Minuteman Press franchises are as follows:

Chermside, QLD - Business closed down as owners could no longer sustain the losses of the business. The franchise business has been removed from the MPI websites. The phone line has been disconnected.

Southport, QLD (1st owner) - Owner started new business. Owner walked out of business in less than six months as she could not sustain the losses in the business. Business sold at loss by Minuteman Press International Inc. New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc. Minuteman did not disclose the opening nor the sale of the business in its disclosure documents.

Southport, QLD (2nd owner) - Business closed down within less than one year.

Darra, QLD - Business Closed Down; Franchise Agreement terminated by Minuteman. Franchisee uncovered that Minuteman’s FOCUS Management System fraudulently overcharged all franchisee for royalties in breach of the franchise agreement. Franchisee requested refund & requested Minuteman to correct its system. Minuteman refused both requests. Franchisee requested mediation under the Franchising Code. Mediation was not successful. Franchisee ceased royalty payments as it was in credit. Minuteman terminated the franchise agreement for reason of non-payment of royalties. Minuteman advised the landlord of the termination where after the landlord terminated the franchisee’s premises lease agreement. Business closed down during May 2017.

Burleigh Heads, QLD - Franchise Agreement unlawfully terminated by Minuteman where after owners sold business at a loss. During 2013 Franchisee uncovered that Minuteman’s FOCUS Management System fraudulently overcharged all franchisee for royalties in breach of the franchise agreement. Franchisee requested refund & requested Minuteman to correct its FOCUS system. Minuteman refused both requests. Franchisee repeatedly requested Minuteman to charge royalties correctly and requested refund of over paid royalties. Minuteman refused requests. Franchisee requested mediation under the Franchising Code on Conduct (total 4 mediations). All mediations were not successful. Franchisee ceased royalty payments as it was in credit. Minuteman terminated the franchise agreement. during June 2017 for reason of non payment of royalties.

Slacks Creek, QLD (1st owner) - Business Closed Down. MPI forced Owner to re-open business. Shortly afterwards owner had to sell business at a loss as Owner could not sustain business losses. After sale of business ex-owner remained responsible and liable for the Premises Lease and the two Leases for Equipment. Owner had to pay many thousands of Dollars for monthly lease payments when the new store owners also struggled in the business and could not meet their lease obligations. This ex-owner continued to make lease payments until 2011/2012. New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc.

Slacks Creek, QLD (2nd owner) - Business Sold at loss by Minuteman Press International Inc. as owner could not sustain business losses. New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc.

Slacks Creek, QLD (3rd owner) - Business Sold at loss by Minuteman Press International Inc. as owner could not sustain business losses. New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc.

Slacks Creek, QLD (4th owner) - Business sold at loss by Minuteman Press International Inc. within less than two years as owner could not sustain the losses in the business. New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc.

Mooloolaba, QLD (1st owner) - Business Sold at loss by Minuteman Press International Inc. as owner could not sustain business losses and Owner went broke. New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc.

Mooloolaba, QLD (2nd owner) - Business Sold at loss by Minuteman Press International Inc. as owners could not sustain business losses. New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc.

Brookvale, NSW - Owner became ill, business sold at loss by Minuteman Press International Inc.  Sale of business was Not disclosed in Minuteman Disclosure Document.

Brookvale, NSW - Business sold.New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc.

Rockdale, NSW (1st owner) - Started business in 2013. Sold business at loss by Minuteman Press International Inc. as owner could not sustain the losses in the business. New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc.

Rockdale, NSW (2nd owner) - Business Closed down. New owners had business for about 1 year.

Blacktown, NSW - Business Closed Down; Owner liquidated business to avoid MPI claims for royalties for remainder of  35 years of franchise agreement.

Parramatta, NSW - Business Closed Down; Owner liquidated business to avoid MPI claims for royalties for remainder of  35 years of franchise agreement.

Parramatta, NSW (2nd Parramatta store) - Store opened during 2016. Business sold at a loss by MPI during 2017. New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to MPI.

Sylvania Heights, NSW - Business Closed Down; Owner liquidated business to avoid MPI claims for royalties for remainder of  35 years of franchise agreement.

Wollongong, NSW - Business Closed Down; Owner liquidated business to avoid MPI claims for royalties for remainder of  35 years of franchise agreement.

Stanmore, NSW - Business Closed Down

Smithfield, NSW - Business Closed Down

Waverley, NSW - Business Closed Down; owner commenced legal action against MPI, MPI paid Settlement to Owner, MPI “Silenced” Owner with Confidentiality Agreement.

Penrith, NSW - Business Closed Down; Owner liquidated / deregistered business to avoid MPI claims for royalties for remainder of  35 years of franchise agreement.

Penrith, NSW (2nd Penrith store) - Business sold.New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc.

Penrith, NSW (2nd Penrith store) - Business Closed Down; Listed as a Minuteman Franchise store in the Minuteman Disclosure Document dated 31 March 2018. By 18 October 2018 the store was removed from the Minutemanpress.com website (a clear indication that the store is no longer a franchise store). The phone number has been disconnected. It appears the store closed down after about October 2018.

Ingleburn, NSW - Business Closed Down; Owner liquidated business to avoid MPI claims for royalties for remainder of  35 years of franchise agreement.

Artarmon, NSW - Business Closed Down

Albury, NSW - Business Closed Down

Caringbah, NSW - Business Sold at loss by Minuteman Press International Inc. as owner could not sustain business losses and Owner went broke. New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc.

Alexandria, NSW - Mother & daughter started business in 2012; after one year business was sold at loss by Minuteman Press International Inc. as owners could not sustain the business losses. New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc.

Condell Park, NSW - Started business in 2014. Business sold at loss by Minuteman Press International Inc. after one year as owner could not sustain the losses in the business. New owners paid $25850 transfer fee to Minuteman Press International Inc.

Hornsby NSW - Business Closed Down

Belmont, Newcastle, NSW - Business Closed Down

Fairfield Heights, NSW - Business Closed Down

Gladesville, NSW - Opened store during 2015. Business sold at loss by MPI to new owner during 2017. New owner paid $25850 transfer fee to MPI.

Campbelltown, NSW - Business Closed Down; Listed as a Minuteman Franchise store in the Minuteman Disclosure Document dated 31 March 2018. By 18 October 2018 the store was removed from the Minutemanpress.com website (a clear indication that the store is no longer a franchise store). The phone number has been disconnected. It appears the store closed down after about October 2018.