Jerry Flanagan & JDog Are Suing Military Veterans (UPDATED)

What’s the best way to save an embattled brand & franchise company built on the founder’s concern for military veterans and mission to end veteran depression and unemployment?  If you’re Jerry Flanagan, founder of the veteran-themed JDog Junk Removal & JDog Carpet Cleaning franchises, the answer is simple:  File lawsuits against military veteran franchisees so the rest don’t dare exercise their freedom of speech.  By Sean Kelly, Franchise Truth for Veterans

UPDATE Follow-up post with new information:

(https://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/the-franchise-law-firm-evan-goldman/ Shortly after publishing this post we learned that JDog Franchises, LLC retained the newly formed The Franchise Firm to selectively sue and harass a Hispanic, Service-Disabled Veteran who had been named Franchisee of the Year & likely paid the failing franchisor more than $200,000 in franchise fees and royalties. The Franchise Firm’s Evan Goldman seems to be taking delight in petty intimidation tactics on behalf of a client whose business was built on a claim of being dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans.

To be clear, this is all my (well-research, documented, expert) opinion.  I could be wrong

In this post:

• Franchisors dependent on “churning” failed franchises must keep their secrets hidden at all costs
• Jerry Flanagan’s secrets include having no full-time operating experience, ineffective to non-existent marketing & support programs, and a franchise failure rate more than twice the industry average.
• Despite having terminated more than 300 veteran-owned franchises, JDog has kept its franchisees silent through threats, intimidation & lawsuits against early franchisees.
• With our series exposing the truth, bolder franchisees breaking their silence and sharing their stories, corporate layoffs & stifled franchise sales, JDog President Kevin Kopa announces the return of litigation against franchisees who refuse to fail & go away quietly (my interpretation)
• Why JDog litigation will fail this time around
• What you can do to fight JDog’s attacks on Veterans

Legitimate Franchisors Identify & Address the Cause of Franchisee Failures.  They Don’t Lie, Bully & Keep Selling.  

Franchisors like Jerry Flanagan who keep selling franchises despite high failure & turnover rates (like JDog Franchises,LLC) tend to be experts at intimidating, threatening & silencing franchisees.

Their ability to perpetuate their scheme requires them to maintain a pipeline of trusting, misled and likely doomed prospective franchisee-victims to whom they can sell previously failed franchise territories for new fees and a few years of royalties until they, like those before them, run out of money.

The Truth – especially firsthand accounts by current and former franchisees – threatens to disrupt the flow of deceived, uninformed  prospects like Allied bombs disrupted Nazi supply lines.

Despite a failure rate more than double any other junk removal franchise… despite his termination of more than 300 veteran-owned, female-veteran-owned, disabled-veteran-owned, and minority-veteran-owned small businesses in recent years, Jerry Flanagan has expressed no remorse, no concern and no intention of slowing his aggressive targeting of veterans and military families.

In order to keep the seats full at JDog Discovery Day smoke & mirror franchise sessions, veterans Jerry Flanagan, Kevin Kopa & Terry Corkery will need to continue to deprive military veteran franchisees of a core & most sacrosanct of American freedoms:  Freedom of Speech.

Achieving that un-American and arguably traitorous objective requires them to maintain the intimidation, fear & prisoner-of-war atmosphere they have expertly imposed on the veterans they so-often claim to empower.

Legal disclaimer:  This is all my (well-researched, industry expert)  my opinion… I could be wrong…

Full documentation available upon request.

Despite Layoffs & Closings, Jerry Flanagan is Now Spending Dwindling Resources to Bully, Silence & Starve Out Military Veteran Franchisees

According to company disclosure documents, Jerry Flanagan has zero experience owning and operating a full-time junk removal and hauling business, much less a JDog business.

And up until a couple of weeks ago, no one in top management at HQ has that experience either. 

According to franchisees, JDog’s exclusive recommended “marketing system” consists of handing out doorhangers & flyers, paying to join business networking groups and hanging out door hangers & flyers. 

National corporate support consists of Operation Hidden Treasures, a virtually unwatcheable storage-war wannabe with scripting & production values two clicks below cable-access. 

Worst of all, Operation Hidden Treasures misrepresents the business model as an unpaid donation pick-up service.

OHT’s only redeeming feature is being hidden away on something called TUBI (?) where it can only annoy an audience even smaller than Tracy “Mrs. JDog” Flanagan’s Tactical Treasures Podcast.

However, Jerry Flanagan is an Expert Manipulator

While I rarely pass up an opportunity to mock Jerry Flanagan (who an anonymous former employee on an employment site called a “walking sexual harassment complaint”), I admit to being seriously in awe of his skill at emotionally manipulating veterans and keeping them silent. 

I recently interviewed one of his very first franchisees, a veteran of three different branches of service, who lost his savings, his home, his marriage and his military security clearance due to JDog & the indifference of Jerry Flanagan. 

I have interviewed and/or corresponded with dozens of victims who invested without knowing of his and other early failures. 

When I started researching the JDog franchise two years ago and again last year, I could not find any substantial public complaint or negative account by a franchisee.

I’ve research hundreds of franchises and assure you:  That kind of cover-up takes skill & effort. 

(Kudos to Jerry Flanagan, Kevin Kopa, Chris Debbas, Terry Corkery, Tom Spadea & the team at Spadea Lignana.  Let’s give credit where it’s due.)

Why JDog Previously Sued Already Broke Army, Navy & Marine Corps Veterans

The current atmosphere of intimidation & fear among franchisees was established, in part, with a series of brutal, vindictive lawsuits from 2015-2021:

• 5/18/15: JDog sued their first franchisee,  20-year African American Navy veteran Louis Vaughn, Jr., for more than $155,000.
• 10/25/19: JDog sued Shawn Schexnayder, the highly decorated Marine Corp. combat veteran, for $266,000.
• 6/2/21: JDog sued Kellen Brown, an Army veteran twice deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, for $355,000.

Why would Jerry Flanagan & JDog Franchises LLC sue franchisees with low or no assets for exorbitant amounts they could never pay?

Why sue Army combat veteran Kellen Brown – who lacked the funds to even open his JDog franchise in Huntsville, AL – for $355,000?

My guess is that the real purpose of the lawsuits was to send warning shots whizzing above the heads of current & former JDog franchisees whose voices could take down the JDog scheme in an instant.

The message:

Keep your heads down and your mouths shut.

And my guess (Correct me if I’m wrong, Jerry Flanagan!) is that’s the same warning message intended by Flanagan’s minion Kevin Kopa this past Friday.

See: This Franchise Scheme Sells, Sues & Silences American Veterans

JDog’s Latest Threat Against Franchisees Reeks of Desperation

In my opinion, Jerry Flanagan’s JDog Brands is in an unstoppable freefall, an overdue transition from star-spangled, inspirational Veteran business success story to a cautionary tale of deception and exploitation of U.S. veterans and military families.

I am proud to be a part of the mostly anonymous team (and supporters) determined to expedite that transition.

But Jerry Flanagan obviously believes he can revert to his previous tactics and keep the JDog scheme going.

On January 19, 2024, Flanagan minion President Kevin Kopa sent an email to all surviving franchisees stating that the franchisor has resumed the practice of suing the shit¹ out of franchisees who dare defy them.

Yes, Mr. Kopa is saying, the floggings will continue until morale improves… or the victims hold in their screams.

Kevin Kopa’s email reportedly read:

From: Kevin Kopa <kkopa@jdog.com>
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2024 9:24 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Pending Legal action

JDog’s [stet]

Unfortunately, we are being forced to take legal action against a recently terminated Franchisee and while this is common in franchising it is certainly not common within the JDog system. I would like to provide some context of the situation so that everyone is aware of what is going on.

There is a Franchisee that recently started a competing Junk Removal business in the same area that they had two active Franchise agreements. This is obviously a violation of multiple sections of the FA and a harm to the other JDogs in the state and immediate service area. This franchisee was provided multiple opportunities to cure the issues at hand – instead they have decided to violate the terms of the agreements that they have operated under for the past eight years and directly compete with JDog under a different name

We have always operated the company in an effort to help veterans2. If a JDog chose that it was in their best interest to close a territory or their business we would allow them to move on without any liability or obligation other than to abide by the non-compete and certain other conditions. In this instance the JDog is in direct violation of their Non-Compete, the use of the JDog system (including google reviews)3 in addition to the financial obligations. We have only taken formal legal action in two other instances in the history of the Company4 and in both instances, the former franchisee had violated the non-compete/use of system knowledge.  These actions are taken in an effort to protect not just the brand but all of you that are currently running your JDog Businesses.

If you have specific questions please reach out to me directly.

Thanks

Kevin Kopa

President & COO

U.S.M.C. Veteran

(o) 484-318-8942 x 105

(M) 484-758-7185

My Prediction:  This Time, JDog’s Legal Attacks on Veteran-Owned Businesses Will Hasten Its Demise

I can’t be absolutely certain of which franchisee Kopa is referencing, but there aren’t that many that have lasted 8 years and been recently terminated. 

If it is the franchisee I suspect, Jerry Flanagan (a caring veteran on a mission to reduce veteran unemployment & depression) is suing a veteran-owned and minority-owned family business to prevent them from earning a living in their field.

If this is the franchisee I suspect, JDog Brands is suing its former Franchisee of The Year over some Google Reviews intended by the reviewers to praise the franchisee alone – no one else.

And if this franchisee paid franchise fees on two territories and monthly royalties for 8 years on one or both, JDog likely pocketed $200,000 or more… for supposed support that has now been cut through layoffs and a system and business model that produces the highest failure rate in the industry.

For a brand that claims its mission is to empower veterans and reduce veteran unemployment, suing military veterans is not a good look.

To put it mildly.

Help Me & The JLF (JDog Liberation Front) Expose JDog’s Attacks on Military Veterans

With the last three lawsuits, Jerry Flanagan & JDog’s highly paid attorneys attacked and intimidated military veterans in the shadows, away from the scrutiny of public attention and hidden from prospective JDog franchisees.

But with your support, those who exploit and attack military veterans & families will have to do so in the open, in the court of public opinion. 

Support our effort by spreading the word, sharing our links, and making a contribution here:

The JDog Franchise Report:  Stop the Attacks on Military Veterans & Families

Or make a general donation to the Franchise Truth for Veterans initiative.  (Payment will display as Relentless, Inc. dba “IdeaFarm”)

Support Franchise Truth & Franchise Truth for Veterans

Please indicate whether your contribution is anonymous or if you (or your company or group) like to be credited as a contributor.

To explore partnership & sponsorship opportunities, contact Sean Kelly at UnhappyFranchisee [at] Gmail [dot] Com

Note:  We are a PA S corporation in the process of planning our non-profit entity.  Relentless, Inc. dba IdeaFarm is an established marketing agency.  Contributions may be tax-deductible as business expenses.  Consult your tax professional.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

Documentation & More Information:

Franchise Warning: JDog Junk Hauling for Veterans (Index)

JDOG Franchise Dream Ends in Veteran Suicide, Double Homicide

What Every Veteran Should Know About the JDog Franchise

JDog Franchise News & Discussion Newsletter Sign-Up

PETITION to Save Veteran-Owned Small Businesses NOW

List of JDog Franchisees With Closed or Failed Franchises – UPDATED

OPEN INVITATION:  Unhappy Franchisee extends an open invitation to all those discussed to provide corrections, explanations, clarifications and/or rebuttals.  We will correct factual errors & alternative views fairly.  Anonymous or signed comments are welcome below or can be emailed in confidence to UnhappyFranchisee[at]Gmail[dot]com. 

  

Sean Kelly is an independent investigative journalist with 35 years of franchise industry experience.  Since founding UnhappyFranchisee.Com in 2006, his reporting has exposed & shut down several predatory franchise & investment schemes.  Sean Kelly is a franchise watchdog who prompted and aided the FBI investigation that shut down the 165-victim multi-million-dollar NY Bagel franchise scam and landed perpetrators Dennis Mason & Joseph Smith in federal prison.  Sean was featured in the ABC Four Corners expose of 7-Eleven wage theft in Australia and has served as an advisor to Dateline NBC.  He has withstood bullying, intimidation & frivolous lawsuits as high as $35M and never lost.  His crack editorial staff and fact checkers include Chick, Gem, Red, Pru & Joanie the Rescue Chicken.

Contact the author at UnhappyFranchisee[at]Gmail[dot]com

This initiative is dedicated to the memory of my father, Raymond J.Kelly, who served with the U.S. Navy during WWII and piloted a landing craft in the Normandy Invasion, D-Day, at Utah Beach… and my brother Paul, who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.  Two honorable men that are deeply needed and dearly missed.

TAGS:  JDog, JDog Franchise, JDog litigation, JDog lawsuits, JDog suing Franchisees, Jdog veterans franchise, Jerry Flanagan Tracy Flanagan, Kevin Kopa, Terry Flanagan, Christopher Debbas, Tom Spadea, Spadea Lignana, Franchise Truth, Franchise Truth for Veterans, Veteran franchise, Franchises for veterans