CAREPATROL Franchise Complaint – Updated

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• Hi I just stumbled across this website and this posting. I thought would mention some information about the the Care Patrol franchises in Houston. My mother is a discharge manager at a large nursing home in the Houston area. I know that she's mentioned to me that she's seen at least 3 Care Patrol franchisees come and go over the last 2 years and didn't have high regards for their services because of the fallout/failure rate of the franchisees. Just thought I'd mention this because the owner of the company mentioned that no franchisee had ever failed. An obvoius inaccuracy in his comment.

  Thanks

• This is strange. Why would a daughter have a conversation with her mother about a franchise in Houston? How many daughters start the day with "Hi Mom, let's talk about a franchise that you work with". Very strange and interesting to why "someone" would post this out of the blue. Does this sound real?

  I will respond to explain her "false perceptions", one franchisee moved outside of the continental United States to be close to his daughter after her mother moved, read the above blog.

  The other 2 franchises did not fail. The owners moved out of Texas due to their spouses being transferred from their jobs. It was sad, but both of these franchisees left on their biggest revenue month that they ever had.

  This is an economy that sometimes dictates that families move out of state after job transfers, promotions and advancements. I stand behind the courage and dedication it must have took to walk away from such a good business to support their loved ones. That is truly the character of this company’s value system. Is the writer suggesting that a spouse stay in Texas and separate a family to continue to run a franchise?

  This is the assumptions that happen when someone does not know the truth about situations and feel it is their duty to "correct" those who know the truth and have lived it day to day.

  To show of our character of our company, we released these franchisees without any fees or lawsuits for lost future revenues. Most franchisors would have filed suit if a franchisee didn't follow the terms of the franchise agreement.
  We have since transferred all Texas franchise activities to our home office, which I can report is doing well in that market.

  To further show the inaccuracies of the above blogger, There has never been 3 franchisees in one territory in Houston, therefore, the "story" of the 3 "failed" franchisees visiting and marketing this woman's mother in a large nursing home is completely false.

  Anyone who understands franchising and territories knows that franchisees cannot market in each other's territories. It is a direct violation of their franchise agreement. Therefore, this woman’s mother could have NEVER been marketed by these 3 individuals.

  This is most likely someone if not the same "anonymous" person who wrote the original blog. If not, I welcome this blogger to give me a call so I can assist her mother in overcoming any bad feelings she has towards my company. I don't think I will get a call, but I absolutely welcome it. She obviously knows my website and can find my number.

  Personally, our management team feels that this "person" anonymous in name or a factious in name is obviously trying to spread a smear campaign against an up and coming franchise system. There are competitors out there who would stop at nothing to gain traction on us.

  As the founder and protector of our brand, I have a legal fiduciary responsibility to stop any libel or slander that can hurt or brand and my franchisees' investment.

  Therefore, we currently are working on and will be filing suit in the near future in the states of Arizona and Ohio to obtain the identity of any person or persons who is participating in such a negative campaign against us and will have to prosecute them to fullest extent of the law.

  My suggestion would to this person or persons is to simply give me a call and we can discuss any issue that you have between us, assuming that there is a real person with a real issue and not a competitor causing problems.

  I welcome your call.

• I have been a franchise owner for a littile over a year in the Milwaukee area. I find that Chuck and his organization professional and are available 24/7 for the franchisee. I have been introduced to key people and organizations that I would have never known about if it was not for Chuck and his networking skills and fine reputation in the industry. It disurbs me that one person can start such a farce and try to damage a reputation when so many hardworking individuals in this organization are just wanting to help a senior and their family.

• Chuck,

  I am currently researching the franchise market and found this CarePatrol thread. Personally, I think Anonymous did you a favor because not only have you addressed all of the false points mentioned, but a number of your franchisees have also stood up & supported your company. So while I am sure this whole thing has been very frustrating for you, I believe Anonymous' strategy backfired.

  My only hope is that with my limited funds I can become a franchisee myself because so far this looks like a great business opportunity with a big heart!

• I think it's very likely the original comments by the anonymous individual are untrue, based on certain clues. The writer sounds as though he/she is completely unfamiliar with Franchise Disclosure Documents and how franchising works. Additionally, the tone doesn't ring true; more like a competitor or disgruntled employee, erc. It's a shame.

  However, I would encourage the franchisor to take a little more time when composing your responses. While basically on your side, I was thrown by poorly written sentences and poor grammar from a CEO (or whatever his title may be). Please consider that you might make a much stronger case for yourself - and better represent your entire organization - if you come across as professional and composed rather than as though you on the same level as the anonymous poster.

• Can someone explain this to me? http://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cases/2012/12/121207carepatrolcmpt.pdf

• Would like more info on starting my own franchise

• As someone once interested in carepatrol, I can tell you that the statement Chuck made about "everyone of [his] franchisees who are following the system are doing well and are right at their goals" is a flat out lie. Unless the goal is not make $0 while trying to better their family. Maybe the success of the franchise depends on the geographic areas. Who knows? But I'd love to hear some accurate figures about how many have sold their franchises or moved on and I hope that those who are not making money despite their best and honest efforts do not end up being worse off financially than before they bought in. And I SURE hope that after following the 'system' to a 't' that they are not called lazy.

• I have a friend who bought into this franchise and I slowly watched their excitement turn into utter disappointment. As the previous person said, unless the goal is to make $0 while trying to better their family, the owner's statements are a flat out lie. I feel terribly for them and I am one of those right or wrong people - and they are just wrong! My heart breaks for this family. Hopefully their kids can have a decent Christmas and they can figure out a way to pay back the tens of thousands of dollars. Shame on Carepatrol.

• Like all business purchase transactions one undertakes they should put into effect their due diligence before giving an offer or signing an agreement. Get a list of at least 3 franchisees and speak to them all getting their input on the company. Ask for a few customers they have gotten placed (with permission) and ask how they were treated. Speak with the care homes/facilities to get their feedback. If you get no "red flags" then proceed with the purchase after seeing all the financials and disclosures and you get a lawyer/CPA to check thoroughly there are no hidden surprises.