EXPERIMAC Franchise Closed Store List – UPDATED
Experimac is a retail franchise opportunity promoted and sold by United Franchise Group (UFG), the multi-concept franchisor of Signarama, EmbroidMe (aka Fully Promoted), Transworld Business Advisors, and others. Out EXPERIMAC Franchise Closed Store List project is a collaborative effort to document each Experimac franchise location that closed or was transferred to new owners since UFG launched the Experimac franchise program in 2014. All information is approximated and should readers should independently verify as part of their due diligence research.
(UnhappyFranchisee.Com) Experimac is a relatively new franchise computer store concept aggressively promoted by its franchisor, United Franchise Group (UFG).
According to the company’s franchise website, Experimac is “the fast-growing technology repair franchise that focuses on sales and service of pre-owned computers, cell phones and other electronic devices.”
According to the 2018 Experimac Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), the total initial investment to open a franchise store ranges from $142,010 to $321,140.
The Experimac Franchise Agreement has an unusually long term of 35 years, and requires a $49,500 franchise fee and royalty & marketing fees amounting to 7% of gross sales.
Franchisees who have closed stores describe losses of $200,000 – $300,000+, destruction of personal credit worthiness, loss of 401K savings, bankruptcy and heavy personal tolls on both professional and family relationships.
Many Experimac franchises have been financed by SBA 7(A) guaranteed loans through First Financial & Celtic Bank. The SBA loan default rates are rising as more stores close.
Experimac Store Closures Are Rising
The Experimac franchise store closure list project is an ongoing, interactive, crowd-sourced effort to track franchise location closures and ownership transfers (which often represent a partial or total loss of investment by the previous owner/s). The information has been compiled from publicly available sources, including the Experimac website, FDDs, YELP! and other review sites, and reporting from customers, employees and franchisees. Please share corrections, updates or additional information in the comment section below; consider helping us maintain this list with a contribution here.
Here is our best-guess estimates of some key statistics as of 1/14/19:
- Number of Experimac locations listed as Open on Company website: 96
- Number of Experimac franchises we’ve identified as closed or transferred (below): 57
- Estimated percentage of franchises closed or transferred: 36.4%
- Estimated % of SBA loans in default (charge-off) status: 20% – 35%
- Number of states with Experimac closures or transfers: 21
EXPERIMAC Store Closures & Transfers (updated 1/14/19)
ARIZONA
AZ Chandler 4015 S. Arizona Avenue, Suite 4 Chandler AZ 85248 480-207-1150 (2017/18 FDD Owner Walid Kaakous transferred ownership to Priyanka Kalra) [TRANSFER]
AZ Gilbert 861 N. Higley Road, Suite 112 Gilbert AZ 85234 480-207-1150 (2018 FDD Walid Kaakous transferred ownership) [TRANSFER]
AZ Scottsdale 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 175 Scottsdale AZ 85254 480-664-4707 (2018 FDD Lynette Ray transferred ownership to Priyanka Kalra) [CLOSED]
YELP lists as Closed. BBB Lists as Out of Business
CALIFORNIA
CA Chico 1354 East Avenue, Suite S Chico CA 95926 530-809-4088 (Owner Chris Thomas 2017/18 FDD) [CLOSED]
YELP Closed Owner profile: https://www.newsreview.com/chico/career-reboot/content?oid=22845699
CA San Luis Obispo 3940-3 Broad St San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 439-4049 (Owner Melissa Morrissey per 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-san-luis-obispo-san-luis-obispo
CA Santa Ana 1509 E. McFadden Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705 657-247-0600 (Janice Lee, James Wang, 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-santa-ana-santa-ana-3
CA Temecula 27365 Jefferson Ave, Suite Q, Temecula, CA 92590 951-296-0640 (Andrew King 2017; left system in 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
YELP 8/24/17 “I’m sad it closed
COLORADO
CO Arvada 8410 Wadsworth Blvd, Unit H-South Arvada CO 80003 720-573-8659 (Owner Ricardo Salinas, Zachary Salinas 2017/18 FDDs) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-arvada-arvada-4
CO Colorado Springs 6912 N Academy Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80918 719-264-2380 (Owner Patrick Wentland 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-colorado-springs-colorado-springs
CO Highlands Ranch 2209 W Wildcat Reserve Pkwy, Suite E4, Highlands Ranch CO 80129 303-470-0026 (George N. Leonis 2017/18) FDD [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-highlands-ranch-highlands-ranch-2
CONNECTICUT
CT Guilford 874 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 6437, 203-457-5987 (Owners Craig Ruzicki, Melissa Ruzicki 2017/18 FDDs) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-guilford-guilford
CT Rocky Hill 2162 Silas Deane Hwy Rocky Hill, CT 06067 (860) 372-4012 (Owner Matthew Rusconi per 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-rocky-hill-rocky-hill
FLORIDA
FL Gainesville 3265 SW 34th St Gainesville, FL 32608, 352-204-5328 (Owner David McCollister 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-gainesville-gainesville-2
FL Jacksonville 1650 San Pablo Road South, Suite 14 , Jacksonville, FL, 32224 904-220-9992 (Owners Leroy McCarty Fonda McCarty 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-northeast-jacksonville-northeast-jacksonville
FL Orlando 4498 N. Alafaya Trail, #300 Orlando FL 32826 407-988-3544 (Christophe Sevin, 2017 FDD Left 2018 FDD Resold?) [CLOSED]
GEORGIA
GA Smyrna 2690 Cobb Pkwy SE Ste A-3 Smyrna, GA 30080 (Owner Mark Simmons 2018 FDD) (Listed for sale 1/13/19 for $95,000) [CLOSED]
BizBuySell Smyrna Experimac listing : “The current owners have been forced to sell this store. It is currently closed, but is a complete build-out ready for a new owner to breath new life into it. Located across the street from the new Atlanta Braves stadium, this is a fantastic location in which to build a very lucrative business. New, this franchise location would cost more than $200,000 including all fees and build out. But you can own it for a fraction of that price. This is a distressed sale and not for everyone. “
GA Suwanee 425 Buford Hwy Suwanee, GA 30024 (678) 765-7625 (Owners 2017 FDD: Marie Umberger transferred ownership, 2018 FDD: Robert Jefferson Rene Jefferson) [TRANSFER] [CLOSED]
YELP “permanently closed” 9/8/18
ILLINOIS
IL Chicago West Loop Experimac, 1127 W Madison Street Chicago, IL 60607 Opened: December, 2016 (28 months) Franchisees: Kevin Wright & Colette Gabriel [CLOSED] YELP
IL Peoria 5011 W American Prairie Dr Peoria, IL 61615 (309) 966-2568 (Franchise Owner Gary Wolf)
[CLOSED]YELP
KENTUCKY
KY Lexington 2380 Norman Lane, Suite 130, Lexington, KY 40503 859-368-9265 (Owner Donald Dixon Jr 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-lexington-lexington
LOUISIANA
LA Bossier City 2369 Airline Dr Ste 300 Bossier City, LA 71111 (318) 383-0643 (Owners Timothy Larkins, Stephen Hyde per 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-bossier-city-bossier-city
LA Lafayette 2819 Johnston St Lafayette, LA 70503 (337) 534-4542 (Franchise Owner Frank Vinyard Jr) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-lafayette-lafayette-2
LA North Shreveport 7013 Pines Rd, Shreveport LA 71129 318-383-2644 (Owners Timothy Larkins, Stephen Hyde 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-north-shreveport-shreveport
LA South Shreveport 6114 Line Ave Shreveport, LA 71106 (318) 383-0644 (Owners Timothy Larkins, Stephen Hyde 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-south-shreveport-shreveport
MASSACHUSETTS
MA Middleton 149 Main Street, Unit M Middleton MA 01949 978-304-0134 (Owner Phuc “Henry” Pham) [CLOSED] [MAY BE OPEN OR REOPENED – checking]
MARYLAND
MD Bethesda (Pamela Zama, 2018 FDD listed as having left the system, transferred ownership to Chris Burneko) [TRANSFER]
MD Severna Park 487 Ritchie Hwy Suite 102 Severna Park MD 21146 410-544-1241 (Owner Kevin Myers, 2017 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-severna-park
MAINE
ME Portland 1041 Brighton Ave, Suite 10C Portland ME 4102 207-835-0358 (Franchise Owner Jeff Van Horne, 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-portland-portland
MISSOURI
MO Fenton 794 Gravois Bluffs Blvd, Ste A Fenton MO 63026 636-326-4622 (Franchisee Christine Witte, 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-fenton-fenton-3
“6/17/2017 This place is now closed. Drove up here only to find a sign on the door saying it’s permanently closed. They need to update their website.”
https://experimac.com/resource-center/blog/owner-spotlight-christine-witte-experimac-fenton-mo/
MO Joplin 420 N. Rangeline Rd., Ste 14 Joplin MO 64801 417-622-4662 (Owner Tim Holder 2017/18 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-joplin-joplin
Nevada
NV Las Vegas (Summerlin South) 9101 W. Sahara Ave, Suite 104 Las Vegas NV 89117 USA 702-202-2424 (Owner Rochelle Cavaretta) Google
NV North Las Vegas 5515 Camino Al Norte, Unit 105 North Las Vegas NV 89031 USA 702-790-4813 (Owner Brando Younger) Google
NEW JERSEY
NJ Fair Lawn 21-10 Saddle River Road Fair Lawn NJ 07410 USA 201-300-6010 (Owners: the late Lee Morgenstein, Daniel Morgenstein) [CLOSED] YELP
NEW YORK
NY Amherst 3220 Sheridan Dr Suite 200, Amherst, NY 14226 Opened: 7/18 Closed 4/19 (9 months) Franchisee: Joseph Fiorentino [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-amherst-amherst
NY Bohemia 4773 Sunrise Hwy Bohemia NY 11716 631-319-1355 (Owner Adam Tuzza) [CLOSED]
Google: “Experimac Bohemia is recorded closed at this location”
NY Smithtown 270 West Main Street Smithtown NY 11787 631-979-9500 (Robert Newell, 2017 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-smithtown-smithtown-2
NY West Hempstead 456 Hempstead Turnpike, Suite 5A West Hempstead NY 11552 516-292-2444 (Okechukwu “Okey” Nwanna, 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-west-hempstead-west-hempstead-3
NORTH CAROLINA
NC Charlotte (Owner Jeffery Prainito, 2018 FDD transferred ownership to Robert Schneider) [TRANSFER]
NC Fayetteville 2956 Owen Drive Fayetteville NC 28306 910-223-2500 (Owner Daniel Boisse) [CLOSED]
Google: “Experimac Fayetteville is recorded closed at this location.”
NC Greenville 518 SE Greenville Blvd Greenville NC 27858 252-689-6720 (Owner Gustav Bone) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-greenville-greenville-3
North Dakota
ND Bismarck 2706 Rock Island Place, Suite 2 Bismarck ND 58504 701-595-7600 (Owners Taylor Rash Alicia Rash) Google
OHIO
OH Akron 1706 W Market St Akron, OH 44313 (234) 334-5006 (Owners Ronald Mosley, Benita Mosley) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-akron-akron
OH Dayton 3633 Rigby Road Dayton OH 45342 937-247-9197 (Owners Eliza Mallue, Jeffrey Mallue) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-dayton-dayton
OH Pickerington 156 Clint Dr Pickerington OH 43147-7994 (Owners Allison Stahl, Stacey Flowers) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-pickerington-pickerington
PENNSYLVANIA
PA North Pittsburgh 900 Adams Shoppes, Mars, PA 16046 Opened: 2015 Closed: 4/19 Franchisee: David Mehalick [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-pittsburgh-mars
SOUTH CAROLINA
SC Indian Land 8356 Charlotte Hwy Indian Land, SC 29707 (803) 548-0535 (Owner David Ifill, Jr. 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-indian-land-indian-land
SC North Charleston 7800 Rivers Avenue Unit 1040 North Charleston SC 29406 843-207-4407 (Owner Chris Knight) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-north-charleston-north-charleston
TENNESSEE
TN Mt Juliet 3384 N Mt Juliet Road Suite 1000 Mt Juliet TN 37122 615-457-8000 (Owner Scott Maulsby, 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-mt-juliet-mt-juliet
TN N. Madison 1720 Gallatin PK N.Madison TN 37115 615-606-6126 (Owner Leslie Clendenin, 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-of-madison-madison
TEXAS
TX Addison 3713 Belt Line Road Addison TX 75001 214-774-9468 (Owners Amit Phillaura, Jana Phillaura) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-addison-addison
TX Arlington 4211 S Cooper St, Ste 129 Arlington TX 76015 682-808-4886 (Athar Sheikh, 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-arlington-arlington
TX Carrollton 1616 W Hebron Parkway #118 Carrollton TX 75010 214-731-0409 (Owners Abul Ahmed, Samia Ahmed) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-carrollton-carrollton
TX Dallas 7612 Campbell Road Suite 200 Dallas TX 75248 972-925-9462 (Aroon Desai, Vashka Desai 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-north-dallas-dallas
TX Dallas 5400 E Mockingbird Ln Ste 113 Dallas, TX 75206 (214) 823-2673 (Owners Hemanth Sehgal, Rina Sehgal) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-north-east-dallas-dallas-2
8/28/18 “THIS STORE HAS CLOSED!!!!!! They went out of business some time in early August.”
TX Frisco 7151 Preston Rd, Suite 341C Frisco TX 75034 972-294-5970 (Owner Gerald Odum, 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-frisco-frisco-2
TX Garland 425 Coneflower Drive Garland TX 75040 972-414-4723 (Owner Michelle Foley, 2018 FDD)
[CLOSED]https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-garland-garland
TX Houston 6608 Highway 6 N Houston TX 77084 832-674-9836 (Pedro Gamboa, 2017 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-northwest-houston-houston
TX Houston 8501 S Sam Houston Parkway E #A110 Houston TX 77075 281-888-2190 (2017 FDD: Owner Michael Taylor transferred ownership, 2018 FDD: David Scarbrough) [TRANSFER]
TX Humble 9473 FM 1960 Bypass West #100 Humble TX 77338 832-995-5434 (Owner Percy Kennedy, 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-humble-humble-2
TX Magnolia 18252 FM 1488 Ste. 130 Magnolia TX 77354 281-259-9529 (Owner Wesley Prince, 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-magnolia-magnolia-3
TX Pearland 1910 Country Place Parkway, Suite 158 Pearland TX 77584 832-554-3183 (Owners Sandra Gonzalez, Bernadette Morales, 2018 FDD) [CLOSED][CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-pearland-pearland-3
TX Plano 4709 Parker Road, Suite 440 Plano TX 75093 469-814-0706 (Owner James Spisak Closed 11/16) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-plano-plano-2
https://communityimpact.com/local-news/dallas-fort-worth/plano/news/2016/12/01/electronic-repair-store-experimac-plano-closes-doors/
TX San Antonio 5910 Babcock Rd, Suite 201 San Antonio TX 78240 210-462-7052 (Michael Voss, Katherine Voss) [CLOSED]
BizBuySell 2/28/19: “FIRE SALE! Experimac Retail Store MUST SELL! Only One in San Antonio
“San Antonio, TX (Bexar County) Asking Price: $75,000 Gross Revenue: $350,000 FF&E: $80,000 Inventory: $30,000 Established: 2017
“This business is new to the San Antonio area, There is tremendous growth opportunities in this locations as well as continued expansion opportunities in the surrounding area.
“Support & Training: The franchise will provide all the training and support that is needed for a new owner to be successful.
“Reason for Selling: Due to family support and health issues they no longer have the time to manage”
TX Spring 7306 Louetta Road, Suite A116 Spring TX 77379 USA 713-575-5768 (2017 FDD owner Charles Stuller, Jr. transferred ownership to Matthew White, 2018 FDD) [TRANSFER][CLOSED]
VIRGINA
VA Manassas 8669 Sudley Rd Manassas, VA 20110 (571) 379-5782 (Owners Ronald Mosley, Benita Mosley) [CLOSED]
UTAH
UT Draper 256 East 12300 South, Suite C Draper UT 84020 801-572-9272 (Owner Karl Vrba) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-draper-draper-2
UT St. George 558 East Riverside Drive, Suite 112 St George UT 84790 435-319-8409 (Owner David Elliott) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-st-george-st-george-3
WASHINGTON
WA Federal Way 2120 S 320th St Federal Way, WA 98003 (253) 455-2990 [Owner Gordon Geddins][CLOSED]
Phone message: Closed indefinitely.
WA Seattle 6040 California Avenue SW, Suite A Seattle WA 98136 USA 206-935-3378 Closed 11/18 (Owners Travis Weaver, Ling Weaver 2018 FDD) [CLOSED]
YELP https://westseattleblog.com/2018/11/biznote-experimac-closes-west-seattle-store/
WA Tacoma 5006 Center Street, Suite C Tacoma WA 98409 253-301-2895 (Owner Kimberly Bottemiller) [CLOSED]
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-tacoma-tacoma-2
WISCONSIN
WI Brookfield 18900 W. Bluemound Road, Suite 151 Brookfield WI USA 53045 414-433-3380 (Opened on March 9, 2016. Resold? Reopened? Brian Troyk left system, 2017 FDD) [CLOSED]
reported closed on FOURSQUARE
Thanks to our franchise owner contributors (You know who you are!) Please report store closures, re-openings, transfers and corrections in the comments below or email UnhappyFranchisee[at]Gmail.com. Post links to closure notices or articles when possible.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? ARE YOU AN EXPERIMAC FRANCHISE OWNER OR FRANCHISEE OF A UNITED FRANCHISE GROUP BRAND?
DO YOU KNOW OF A CLOSED OR RESOLD EXPERIMAC FRANCHISE WE MISSED? PLEASE SHARE IN A COMMENT BELOW.
READ OTHER EXPERIMAC POSTS:
EXPERIMAC Franchise Complaints
EXPERIMAC Franchise Complaints – Part 2
READ UNITED FRANCHISE GROUP (UFG) POSTS:
UNITED FRANCHISE GROUP (UFG) Franchise Complaints
SIGNARAMA Franchise Complaints
EMBROIDME, SIGNARAMA: United Franchise Group Responds to UnhappyFranchisee.com
Dr. John Hayes & His 12 Amazingly Deceptive Franchises
BIZCOM ASSOCIATES: Franchise PR Firm or Troll Farm?
6 AMAZING Franchise Deceptions of Dr. John Hayes
ALSO:
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TAGS: Experimac, Experimac closed, Experimac failure, Experimac store closed, Experimac lawsuit, Experimac group lawsuit, Experimac franchise, Experimac franchise opportunity, Experimac franchise complaints, Experimac FDD, United Franchise Group, United Franchise Group franchise, United Franchise Group franchise opportunity, United Franchise Group UFG, Ray Titus, Palm Beach Atlantic University, UFG franchise complaints, SBA loan defaults, unhappy franchisee
ADDED: CT Rocky Hill 2162 Silas Deane Hwy Rocky Hill, CT 06067 (860) 372-4012 (Owner Matthew Rusconi per 2018 FDD)
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-rocky-hill-rocky-hill
Just came across Rocky Hill, CT closure on Yelp. Franchisee Matt Rusconi appears in a lot of Experimac PR and sales propaganda.
CORRECTION: Richmond Experimac was incorrectly identified in the featured graphic as closed. No Richmond, VA Experimacs have closed, to our knowledge. Apologies for the error… thanks for the correction
Experimac South Riding in Northern Virginia
Also close
Are you sure? I just called and they answered.
I just added two more closures:
Manassas, VA
Federal Way, WA
Does anyone know whether Middleton, MA (Henry Pham) is open? It seems like it is, but it was on the list and previously verified. Was it closed and reopened?
Added two more closed Experimac stores:
IL Peoria 5011 W American Prairie Dr Peoria, IL 61615 (309) 966-2568 (Franchise Owner Gary Wolf) [CLOSED]
YELP https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-peoria-peoria-2
LA Lafayette 2819 Johnston St Lafayette, LA 70503 (337) 534-4542 (Franchise Owner Frank Vinyard Jr)
https://www.yelp.com/biz/experimac-lafayette-lafayette-2
Both are designated in YELP as closed and are no longer on the Experimac website.
Frank paid over 100k so nobody else could open an Experimac in Louisiana.
The people of Louisiana owe Frank a debt of gratitude
The Experimac website now lists just 85 locations… down 6 from 2/26/19.
Just added several more to the Experimac Closed Store List.
ND Bismarck 2706 Rock Island Place, Suite 2 Bismarck ND 58504 701-595-7600 (Owners Taylor Rash Alicia Rash). Google says “Permanently Closed”
NV North Las Vegas 5515 Camino Al Norte, Unit 105 North Las Vegas NV 89031 USA 702-790-4813 (Owner Brando Younger) Google says “Permanently Closed”
NV Las Vegas (Summerlin South) 9101 W. Sahara Ave, Suite 104 Las Vegas NV 89117 USA 702-202-2424 (Owner Rochelle Cavaretta) Google says “Permanently Closed”
TX San Antonio 5910 Babcock Rd, Suite 201 San Antonio TX 78240 210-462-7052 (Michael Voss, Katherine Voss) [CLOSED]
Ad on BizBuySell 2/28/19: “FIRE SALE! Experimac Retail Store MUST SELL! Only One in San Antonio
“San Antonio, TX (Bexar County) Asking Price: $75,000 Gross Revenue: $350,000 FF&E: $80,000 Inventory: $30,000 Established: 2017
“This business is new to the San Antonio area, There is tremendous growth opportunities in this locations as well as continued expansion opportunities in the surrounding area.
“Support & Training: The franchise will provide all the training and support that is needed for a new owner to be successful.
“Reason for Selling: Due to family support and health issues they no longer have the time to manage”
If anyone has any details on these or other closures, please contact me in confidence at UnhappyFranchisee[at]Gmail.com.
We just learned Experimac in Chicago on W Madison Street is closing end of April
The Experimac website currently has just 84 locations listed as open.
Just added 3 closures in the past month:
•West Loop Experimac, 1127 W Madison Street Chicago, IL 60607 Opened: December, 2016 (28 months) Franchisees: Kevin Wright & Colette Gabriel*
•Amherst, NY Experimac, 3220 Sheridan Dr Suite 200, Amherst, NY 14226 Opened: July, 2018 (9 months) Franchisee: Joseph Fiorentino*
•North Pittsburgh Experimac, 900 Adams Shoppes, Mars, PA 16046 Opened: 2015 Franchisee: David Mehalick
Note that the Amherst NY Experimac was only open for 9 months.
* Funded by SBA guaranteed loans
Seriously, this makes me sick to my stomach every time I see the updated list. It makes me so sad. So many great people on this list.
These guys are doing what the government allows them to do. Maybe if Washington would stick up for the little guy they wouldn’t get away with this.
I was the owner of the Experimac South Riding with my wife Judy. We closed the Experimac South Riding in Chantilly Va. January 2019.
Experimac Duluth, MN abruptly closed without notice a month ago. I believe it was only open since June or July 2018.
Have there been any updates on the Experimac / Experimax heists of its franchisees?
The Experimax Columbia Northwest (Harbison) location closed its doors on Oct 18, 2019. My Experimax Columbia East store is the last remaining in the Capital City of South Carolina.
Do not buy into this franchise. I owned a store in Indian Land SC and I closed after only 6 months and working 18 hr days. (I had many customers who were very nice, it seemed great at first) I followed all instructions and procedures and ultimately their system started failing due to the false projections that were given to me (emailed clearly not just spoken about) by their regional manager and also their in-house financial team. (Which by the way, I learned by an attorney that this is illegal, I had no clue) After being open for one month I was told by the company when ordering refurbished devices (to be resold at a profit) that from their own integrated supply chain, “”none were available because they were intended for their new franchisees”. (I wasn’t a new franchisee?, they weren’t going to be my supplier as I was told for 8 months?) I was never told this during the opening phase and so I was then instructed by the company to buy devices on eBay and Craig’s list and refurbish them myself obviously at a great loss from a profit margin standpoint. So while I was performing many repairs, the retail side of the business suffered greatly and each night after after work I continued at home trying to purchase devices online to keep my inventory full at all times attemptIng to keep the front end of the store stocked, presentable and hopefully making a profit minus my extra refurbishing fees to get the devices up to high standards and obviously to honor my warranty and my reputation. In month six my store was losing so much money it was just better to close before it got really bad and cut my loses. (Was advised by a reputable business consultant) In a final attempt, I called the corporate office asking for assistance and I was told if I wanted to continue it would be best to borrow money from family or friends to stay open. I felt this was highly unprofessional considering I was sold a sure fire, fully developed program, told it was proven, was also told they had all of the mistakes worked out so I wouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel. According to the company projection in relationship to my build out and complete start up expenses in this month six I was losing very close to $30k per month which I was told this would be my break even point. (Month 6 supposed to = roughly $60k in sales) After consulting with two independent business advisors I later learned that according to my documents and corporate set up I would be lucky to break even by year 2 and more realistically year 3 would be more appropriate. So in this venture, don’t plan on making any profit or be able to take home a paycheck for 2-3 years. Luckily, I was able to start over and be in a financial position where everything was okay for me. Also, I will note that I became friends with several very nice franchisees in much higher population areas that also went out of business due to the exact same reasons. Seattle, Houston, Chicago, Charlotte. Again, do not buy this franchise by any means. How could anyone conjure up the details I have offered. Total amount of money lost on my project was around $700,000. Wasted 2 years of my life but learned a tremendous amount. Don’t make the same mistake I did. David Ifill, Jr.
IFPG International Franchise Professional Group represents this franchise. No vetting just a cash grab.
The only Kansas location: Experimax – Overland Park, 7572 West 119th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213 appears to have closed. Google says it’s been permanently closed, Yelp says they are temporarily closed until October 7, 2021 (!). It’s no longer shown as an active location on the Experimax website. This must have been a recent development as the last Facebook post was on Nov 27, 2020.