18/8 Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons Franchise Warning

311 thoughts on “18/8 Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons Franchise Warning”

• I lost 150k early on and refused to go farther. Got the threats, etc… These guys are crooked as can be. Stay far away.

• If there is one thing I have learned from working with Griffiths, it’s that he makes rash emotional decisions that lead to costly mistakes. He also stubbornly doubles down on his mistakes. His EQ is bottom of the barrel. He has attempted to take on a couple franchisees that he has zero chance of winning against, and will eventually lose everything because of it. His only strategy at this point is to hide from being served and delay, delay, delay on court dates. His own lawyer just acts completely confused and dumbfounded whenever contacted, in an effort to avoid more lawsuits.

  You can google “vs ultimate franchises” for the current cases and read the court docs to see how desperate Griffiths is to avoid any trial.

• Something new comes up every month!
  Even All Points PR coming after them
  https://unicourt.com/case/ca-ora-all-points-public-relations-llc-vs-ultimate-franchises-inc-891878

• Hi Guys,
  I found William “Scott” Griffiths living at [redacted] Laguna Niguel CA and the new Corporate office operating at 19772 Macarthur Blvd #100 Irvine CA 92612….as “Ultimate Brands, Inc., dba Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons”. I need a phone # for Scott personally or direct phone to this new office. If anyone has anything, please post to this board.

  
  NOTE: We don’t allow posting of personal information such as phone numbers and home addresses in the comments. I’m sure you can understand why this might be an issue. Thanks. ADMIN

• I have his number but hesitate to drop it here. If you can give me a clue as to who you are, I will send it to you.

• How does W. Scott decide who gets royalty abatement and who doesn’t? I know a large percentage of the handful left have some sort of ‘deal’.

• Historically it’s been dependent on how well his narcissism is fed, but recipient beware… the favors are fickle and come with an obligation to abandon your soul and serve unwaveringly (for example, by distributing poorly written, recycled, factually challenged middle-school tantrums to email lists, forums, etc in support of the scam).

• I was offered a deal to stay with the franchise. I could not take it in good conscience. I also did not trust that Scott would hold up his end.

• How does one continue to defraud unknowing investors into this sham of a franchise? How is Ultimate Brands still alive? No red flags, alerts etc? Yes, we all have to do our homework prior to investing and I am quite certain, that all of us here have done our due diligence and that is why we invested, however, when this many salons have closed or rebranded how is a higher power not involved in an investigation? Or are they? How is it fair that some salons are ‘not’ paying the royalty fees and some are made to? How is this legal? Shouldn’t this be disclosed? How are they allowed to continue to fraudulently take hard earned money from good standing people looking to open a profitable business. Arrests should be made as many lives have been ruined on a fantasy from insensitive, cold hearted narcissistic thieves.

• Can anyone accurately report how many franchise locations have either closed, re-branded, or been “taken over” by W. Scott Griffiths and his co-conspirators? I have not seen a comprehensive list since PM of Florida posted an Excel spreadsheet back in March.

  Thanks

• I don’t know how many have closed but only 58 left on the online booking page (https://eighteeneight.com/book-online/).

  More than 50% closure rate. I hope they keep publishing articles with inflated numbers. It just makes legal claims against them stronger, since continued investments are still being made under false pretenses regarding the health of the franchise. Griffiths was never the sharpest tool in the shed, so leave it up to him to publish more evidence to hurt himself.

• Do not trust this company, they are crooked shady liars. They take over franchises and don’t pay their employees or the rent, leaving the franchisee in more debt than they were before. They can’t even hold a retention with their corporate employees because they find out the truth eventually. Closures all over the place. They put up a good front on the outside but be weary, it is fake. Scott couldn’t tell the truth if it was right in front of him, even if he was sober. He and his wife along with Bridgette are con artists. Big hug calls are a waste when they are filled with deception. New software program? Hims? What a joke, try getting out of your old software contract without a hefty fee! I couldn’t and pay dearly every day.

• Eighteen Eight was charging $300/mo for something that actually costs less than $100/mo if you were to just purchase directly from Shortcuts on your own. How much are they charging for Zenoti?

• Anyone have any updates on any of the legal actions?

• It was brought to my attention that an image of me is on an above comment. It looks like by the comment this was or is a possible franchisee but I would not assume? I’’m not sure how that happened but I’d like my image removed. I am a previous employee of 18/8 and while I left for many reasons including being stuck with Loretta’s storage unit bill for items I was asked to store when closing a store…,.a bill she still hasn’t paid leaving my husbands credit tainted and the items in the unit up for auction. I’ve tried multiple times for her to pay it and get my husbands name off HER storage unit! I don’t agree with the morals of the company and most of your comments are on point as I, as a previous employee was “screwed over” time and time again but the above comment Is not one I would have posted, especially the part about being charged for software?

• Well it looks like another default judgement coming on this case:
  https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/24889978/BIT_HOLDINGS_FIFTYONE,_INC_v_ULTIMATE_FRANCHISES,_INC_et_al

  Obviously, Griffiths isn’t going to show up in a courtroom while he already has a pile of default judgements against them and money owed. He can no longer afford to pay legal fees, hence the no response to the most recent cases. A Mickey Mouse operation to say the least. How many lawyers have already dropped W. Scott for not paying?

• Anyone know the story on this court case?
  https://unicourt.com/case/urc-FZER2IJIIZDTWFD2HY3GI73HMVLRQ0951#dockets

• This is the Turkish dude who was supposedly 1) buying the Anton salon and 2) gonna be their latest financial savior. He publicly affiliated himself as a “partner” briefly and then erased them without a trace. Didn’t take all that long beginning to end.

  Guess he got screwed too (shocking) and isn’t bound by an arbitration agreement… either that or he’s the latest in line to not get a response to arbitration demands and file a lawsuit to move it along. Not worth the time and effort to actually read the court docs.

  Sorry they took your money too, dude!

• The Orange County Superior Court must be so sick of these guys.

• What is this company and who is the agent ‘Juan Valdez’ that lives with Scott Griffiths?
  https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ca/C4057280
  Seems like a bad joke.

• Another hair-raising franchise story:
  http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/knockouts-franchise-complaints/

• The first Griff’s is about to open with no valid franchise registration in any state. Got my popcorn out and waiting for the next lawsuit to pop up.

• A sham one-off Grifts Shakedown Shack is a fitting tribute to the schmuck who sired this deplorable pant load.

• It’s hilarious. One guy buys a development agreement, then their franchise registration expires a few months later and they can’t renew anywhere. Way to get in on the ground floor of Griff’s Ace Bandages and Shave Farce. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!

• I’m wondering what anyone had heard about this audit Scott is currently under at the same time he applies for a new business license? I’ve heard they stopped paying rent at Princeton location, like they always do, and that the state, as well as 2 other lawsuits or investigations were served there. They paid on the morning of their court date but unknowingly lost their biggest money maker there, do seeing as how they lost their ‘cash cow’ at that location, it wont stay open for long.
  They lie to employees, bounce paychecks, do not communicate with them, do not send supplies, allow constant harrassment and threats of violence from other employees, and still have not paid back memberships from salons they closed on the east coast the beginning of 2018.

• Also, Annapolis is closed and has been. It closed months before Bedminster, NJ.

• they 1099’d all their corporate employees for months to get out of paying taxes, and they still cant access any pay stubs from that time.

• I have zero sympathy for Previous and Ex Corporate employees posting on this forum who now whine about non-reimbursed storage unit fees and bounced paychecks. So, what are you out, a couple of thousand dollars at most? While everything is relative, most Zees who went under or who are currently struggling to keep their doors open against all odds will lose many hundreds of thousands of dollars. Marriages will fail, homes will be lost, and lives will be shattered by the 18|8 fraud fallout. Previous and Ex Corporate employees who now whine about their minimal loses surely learned of the 18|8 fraud and systems ineffectiveness while still employed by “Corporate,” but facilitated the fraud nonetheless by pretending that their coaching could help to turn things around. Well, the passage of time is making it clear that turnarounds are not possible for the 95%, and you now have to live with the consequences of your deceit. Screw you all!

• I agree that financial loses are relative. I do not believe that all corporate employees were in on the scam. Many I have spoken to have left after realizing the truth about this Griffiths and his motivations. Others that just worked at the individual store level could not understand the magnitude of the fraud, and only came to realize something was wrong after missing a couple paychecks. After divesting in the franchise, I have a corporate job again and not getting paid would bother me enough to post something online about it.

  I think it’s important that those people find this website and share their stories here as well. We’re all on the same team now. It’s those that read all this and are willingly still working with Griffiths, that are the problem – this includes lawyers and franchisees that are helping corporate take over failed locations (more to come on this).

• I agree 100%, Chris Clown, and both encourage and look forward to future posts from current and/or former UF employees shining additional light on the 18|8 SCAM. It’s those staffers and Zees (i.e., staffers who knew something was not right years ago but kept promoting the “VISION,” staffers who now know what is going on but continue to help W. Scott et. al continue the SCAM, and last but not least the Chris Brown’s of the system who try to lull innocent Zees in to thinking there is a way out while personally enriching themselves via the 18|8 SCAM). I look forward to your sharing additional information on such abuses.

• I agree that there have been devastating losses by those who trusted this company. Lon Rove, I did not come in here to whine or ask for any sympathy. I actually agree with most of the posts that they are on point. I’m sorry you felt you had to say screw you to all previous employees of UF, but I have no desire to say that back as I feel that would not accomplish anything. We are all complaining about the same company correct? Same team per say?Maybe corporate employees did not have such a large loss but it still matters doesn’t it? What is considered a large loss to some may be different for others who have a different financial lifestyle. You never know what someone is going through and if you are hoping to have previous employees comment I don’t think they will if they are being insulted. Working for a company who does not pay you is not only illegal but immoral. These ex employees including myself live paycheck to paycheck and when that check isn’t there it wreaks havoc and hardship. Same goes with being stuck with 188 bills or storage fees.
  That being said, we are not all the same but we are all against a scam of a company. Can we agree to maybe try to assist each other? I can’t speak for others but I can tell
  you from my experience I left when I found out all the dirty tricks on corporates end. Now mind you, if you are working for a company who is deceiving you as well and it is your financial lifeline to receive a paycheck you do what your boss says? At least I had to until I quickly found another job to support myself and my family. Like I said, when I found out I left. Please don’t assume that the ones that worked for the company didn’t have morals. This company, from the things I found out is deceitful, dishonest and con artists. Take a look at the head honchos that are still feeding lies and still employed, those are the ones behind the mask and dirty schemes.

  I’d like to think that we could chalk this bashing of previous employees up to a misunderstanding that can be resolved. After all wouldn’t it be great if we could all help each other? Thanks for your time in reading this.

• I agree that not all former UF employees are guilty of perpetuating the fraud. The one’s I know were kept in the dark and once they figured it out they quit. They are some really nice people that took a job based on the same crap the Zees were sold. I am sorry that anyone lost any amount of money. It is true that the Zees have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars on this scam, but UF employees have lost significant money in lost pay. I hired an ex-UF employee. They were messed over in their last paycheck from UF and it caused them to bounce checks. They were one of the lucky ones; UF eventually paid them, but it hurt them in the short term. The main reason they quit UF was because their pay was always off and they had to argue all the time to get what was due them, and they felt UF was slimmy and dishonest. They dislike UF as much as the Zees do. We all should stick together.

• so Lon Rove, you think you’re the only one who lost? Just bc we lost less money than you doesn’t mean we are lesser of people than you. Maybe your shitty attitude towards the working person is why your franchise failed. Clearly you think bc you have enough money to invest in a garbage company that makes you better than the people who were fed the same lines but as an employee. The associates I knew, never had a clue how shady this company was, and some of them still don’t. I have personally been moved from salon to salon due to shut downs. We have been served papers for eviction, lied to and told everything was paid and then kicked to the curb 2 days later with less than 1 hour notice. But unlike you and your son story, I don’t need anyones pity. I’m just trying to HELP others not make the same mistake I did. I do find it funny how quickly your attitude changed after Chris posted though. So keep on posting your rude comments and trying to make this feed about your loss instead of about unmasking the horrid things that are going on within Ultimate Franchise (or Ultimate Brands, depends on which account they need money from this week). The rest of us will continue to post our experiences and support each other rather than rip each other apart.

• Unhappy ex corporate employee: My first post addressing ex/prior corporate employees was intended to be directed towards those in coaching positions who did in fact learn of the fraud prior to terminating their employment with Corporate. Perhaps my finger pointing was not clear enough, but is the reason I specifically referenced “continuing to coach the ‘Vision'” after learning of the fraud. My comments were not directed towards all employees on the Corporate payroll, particularly those working at Corporate owned salons. I also did not reverse my attitude in my response to Chris Clown’s post. I stand by my original post towards all higher-level employees “in the know.” Prior/ex Corporate employees’ bad acts are not excused by the need to pay their apartment rent, car payments, etc. That’s a cop out intended to shirk any responsibility and to ease guilty consciences. Nor did I seek any sympathy in my first post. I am just fine, but others I have spoken with and/or read posts from above are not. I instead meant to direct a tall middle finger towards those who know deep down inside that they deserve said finger.

  Regarding a shitty attitude towards working people being the potential reason for a franchise location’s failure, I have news for you; most locations still operating as 18|8 Salons or those that have rebranded are failing. The system simply does not work. Throwing good money after bad to meet payroll, breaking even in good months, earning a very minimal monthly profit while working anything but semi-absentee hours, etc. are not what any of us signed up for when investing in 18|8.

• Has anybody had any success with mediation? Do they even show up? Is it a waste of time/more money?

• Dear Current and Former Zees and all Ex Employees,

  Skip and I are thinking of doing a “Buy A Membership, Get a catered Thanksgiving Dinner for 18” starting on Nov 19th.

  We find that we know it all and want to share too much with others, including those who have re-branded or closed their 18|8 Salons.

  Also, if you do not want to get these most valuable tidbits of advice you can opt out checking this forum in the future. TY

  Thank you!

  Nancy Plesnarski
  VP Marketing
  18|8 Fine Men’s Salon – Brookhaven

• They do not respond to mediation requests. Actually by not responding they are breaking their own franchise agreement, so if you just want out of that…

  Update: The franchise is now down to only 56 locations https://eighteeneight.com/book-online/. 57 if you count the, illegally opened with no franchise agreement in Texas, Griff’s Ace Grooming in Roanoake, TX

• This year, I am most thankful to no longer be part of this stupid franchise.

• Chris Clown- The State of Texas does not require the filing of an FDD, just that the franchisor file a notice of exemption from the State of Texas Business and Commerce Code with a $25 fee and also comply with FTC franchise sales and disclosure requirements (i.e., having a valid FDD and providing a copy to the prospective franchisee pursuant to FTC requirements). Who knows if Ultimate Franchises followed FTC regulations for the Griff’s sale, probably not. Can you imaging moving forward with a Griff’s 10-Pack if you read about all the 18|8 related litigation, Mana Concepts litigation, etc. in a current FDD? But, Ultimate Franchises did file notices of exemption for both 18|8 and Griff’s. I am posting this information to demonstrate how W. Scott Griffiths and his co-conspirators are continuing their efforts to separate life savings from the unsuspecting.

  From the F.A.Q. page of the following State of TX website https://www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/faqs2700.shtml:

  “5. I am offering “franchises” and am complying with the Franchise Rule disclosure requirements of the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”). Do I have to file a registration statement or do I file a copy of my disclosure document with the State of Texas?

  A franchisor is exempt from filing a Texas registration statement, if the franchisor complies in all material respects in the state of Texas with the disclosure requirements and prohibitions concerning franchising in the FTC regulations applicable to the franchisor. HOWEVER, prior to offering for sale or selling, the seller must file an exemption notice (PDF) with the Secretary of State. The filing fee for the exemption notice is $25.”

  From the following State of Texas website https://direct.sos.state.tx.us/businessopportunity/BusOpSearch.asp:

  “Name: ULTIMATE FRANCHISES INC DBA 18/8 # 1
  Registration Date:
  Exemption Date: 5/27/2010
  Termination Date:
  Address: 30821 SEMINOLE PLACE
  LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677
  File Number: 2010-0179
  Contact: JOHN P. SIEMSEN
  551 ROOSEVELT RD #135
  GLEN ELLYN, IL 60137
  (630) 403-2146
  Status: Exemption
  Surety Type:

  Name: Ultimate Franchises, Inc. dba Griff’s Shave Bar # 2
  Registration Date:
  Exemption Date: 2/10/2017
  Termination Date:
  Address: 30821 Seminole Place
  Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
  File Number: 2017-0049
  Contact: Leslie Pujo
  12005 Sunrise Valley Dr., ste. 200
  Reston, VA 20191-3492
  (703) 774-1210
  Status: Exemption
  Surety Type:”

• Don’t dispute me. I’m Chris Clown and I know everything.

• I worked at the Lake Forest El Toro location after corporate took it over. My paycheck from them bounce, I quit the next day.

• Another article about an 18/8 closing;
  https://www.popville.com/2018/05/eighteen-eight-fine-mens-salons-closed-t-14th-street/

  In comments Mitch McConnell says “Legal issues with the Franchiser.”

  Get in line LOL

• I left 18/8 shortly after implementing Zenoti. Zenoti just contacted me again and offered me the same POS package for less than half what 18/8 was charging, with no initiation fee. Another vendor rip off by the Franchisor. Everyone needs to be aware of all the additional ways Ultimate Franchises separates you and your money.

• This is a sad set of circumstances for most owners losing 700K to a 1M not to mention the stress, the marriages that broke apart, people losing their homes, kids not being able to go to college after parents saved for years, the medical issues, people disappearing for months to deal with the anxiety and the worst as someone mentioned suicide.

  Scott, Loretta, Ron, Brigitte and Lance all knew 100% that they lied in the FDD about their financials. They lied about the lawsuit with Mana. STG was fully aware as well. They continue to lie but their number is coming up!! They can’t hide much longer. The proof is there and they know it!

  It is equally sad to me a few of the original chosen Z’s that did 90% of the validation calls early on vouched for these losers so they could get some kind of kick back. Many of us visited their store when we came for Discovery Day and they gave the franchise the seal of approval. They too should be ashamed of themselves for playing their part in financially ruining 100 families. Honestly, I don’t know how they live with themselves. I knew within a few months that this model did not work. I was shocked that they just “debrand” and take no responsibility for their part.

  Some people will do anything for free shampoo. The Z network was a source of strength for me but a few bad apples can ruin it.

• Mark Elson
  Franchise Development
  18/8 Fine Men’s Salons
  Griff’s Ace Barbershops and Shave Bars

  Mark Elson. Mark Elson is a man-turd who only left his franchise development position at 18|8 Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons after his paychecks, payable to Mark Elson, started bouncing, and not because of the fraud he, Mark Elson, witnessed and facilitated while employed by 18|8 Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons. If you should ever have the misfortune of coming across Mark Elson via his role at the International Franchise Professionals Group IFPG, or as the owner and CDO Chief Development Officer of NavisPoint, LLC run, don’t walk, away from Mark Elson. Mark Elson is a real scum bag who has a history of associating with other scum bags whose sole mission is to separate both prospective and current franchisees from their hard earned money any way possible. Mark Elson.

• The ‘Corporate Office’ in Irvine is now for rent (Suite 100)
  https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/19772-MacArthur-Blvd-Irvine-CA/9153952/

  This thing is over.

• Chris Brown,

  If this thing is indeed over I, W. Scott Griffiths, will simply morph back into my secret identity as Dale Griffiths Stamos, my “twin” sister and the co-author of RenWomen.

  Amazon Bio: “Dale recently authored, in collaboration with her twin brother, W. Scott Griffiths, the non‑fiction book, RenWomen: What Modern Renaissance Women Have to Teach Us About Living Rich, Fulfilling Lives, which was released in June 2016. (For more information, go to: renwomen.com).” Not!

• Serious question, Dale – how much money did you fraudulently get from GoCap Financial by selling fake accounts receivable from people that don’t owe you any money?

  Good luck with THAT lawsuit! Idiot.

• Add another lawsuit to the lengthy list.
  https://unicourt.com/case/pc-db1-shaw-et-al-v-ultimate-franchises-inc-et-al-928796

  Most recently, Griffiths had to take out invoice financing from this company to pay his astronomical legal fees.
  http://gocapfinancial.com/
  Current and former franchisees have been getting letters from this company claiming that they are now indebted to them.

• Lawsuits should be the least of Dale’s and his co-conspirators’/enablers’ concerns. Some day, sooner than later, you will all be held accountable for your actions. Remember that “[R]evenge is a dish best served cold,” and your upcoming payback is almost cold enough.