What’s the story on the Cork & Olive franchisee co-op?
Did all the franchisees join? Are there new franchisees (not yet opened) who will join? Who didn’t?
What is the structure/entity? How does it work? Is there a Chairman/President? Who’s in charge?
Who owns the trademark? Are franchisees just licensed to use it under their 10-year franchise agreement, or has Probst given up ownership?
Does Probst still have the right to use the name and graphics?
Will the Co-op continue to recruit new members and license the name to stores? Will it be a franchise?
The Bradenton story created more questions than answers. What’s the real story?
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The Bradenton story was poorly written at best and fragmented at the least.
I can say this - we have yet to receive an official written statement from the company, its officers or the trustee.
The franchisees are represented and are in the process of reviewing all options at the moment and will structure themselves accordingly. We have unanimously agreed to coordinate our buying efforts and have strong commitments from reputable distributors to arrange for exclusive product, private label and keep our pricing structure intact. All this while greatly increasing the quality and variety of our core portfolio of products.
One thing lost in all this nonsense is the fact that Michael knows nothing about wine. Period. His corporate stores sit full of vinegar.
By the way, Probst never paid for the graphics (dark haired people drinking wine). Also he was in trouble for infringing on a slogan that wasn't his and was threatened with a law suit for "trust your taste". That is why he changed most of the signs.
Best of luck to the franchisees, and congratulations on getting a consensus.
Hopefully, you'll gain ownership of the Intellectual Property... something, at least, for your substantial investments.
Though, by the time this is all over, you may want to change the name anyway.
for the record, I saw your posting Wanda regarding the Graphics using the pictures of the people drinking wine and I was pretty much let go a few years ago because I mentioned to my boss (stephanie) (when she had me call about getting new pictures) that we weren't authorized to use the current pictures for than once. We (C&O) paid for a one time only fee to use those pictures and come to find out, they used those same pictures on anything and everything they could. I think I was let go for bringing this to their attention and they didn't want me to find out anything else. It was ok becuase I didn't trust them either and I'm much better off now! I can't remember the name of the company that the pictures were purchased from.
WANDA, I thought I'd post this under this section since it does read.. "what's the story" I have something else for you to look into:
Sanders Trading & Consultants seems it is also owned by Rainer, ok, now whut the hell is this company???? lol it just keeps getting more and more interesting the deeper we all investigate! and WORD has it PROBST IS the owner of Universal of which I'm still trying to determine if that is true! It seems all the attorneys for EWG weather or not they are helping or hindering probst all reside at the same address of 602 south blvd. interesting. very interesting.
Company Profile for:
Sanders Trading & Consulting Corporation
Incorporated by Rainer Appold, Sanders Trading & Consulting Corporation is located at 4025 Tampa Rd Ste 1117 Oldsmar, FL 34677. Sanders Trading & Consulting Corporation was incorporated on Friday, May 02, 2003 in the State of FL and is currently active. R J. Stull represents Sanders Trading & Consulting Corporation as their registered agent.
Company Web Sanders Trading & Consulting Corporation
FEIN: 320085991
Mailing Address:
4025 Tampa Rd Ste 1117
Oldsmar, FL 34677
Pinellas County
4 Companies at this address Map data ©2008 Tele Atlas - Terms of Use
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State of Florida Incorporation Record for Sanders Trading & Consulting Corporation
State: FL
State #: P03000048827
Filing Type: Domestic for Profit
Created: 5/2/2003
Status: Active
Officer Map Web Rainer Appold
602 S Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33606
Hillsborough County
50 Companies at this address Director
Rainer Appold
602 S Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33606
Hillsborough County
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Registered Agent Map Web R J. Stull
602 S Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33606
Hillsborough County
4 companies all Rainer Appold
Advance Salon Technology, Inc. Oldsmar Florida
Sanders Trading & Consulting Corporation Oldsmar Florida
Vinocean Corporation Oldsmar Florida
World Wineries, Inc. Oldsmar Florida
World Wineries- Probst
Lots of connections
Wanda..In 2003 the address Rainer used to open a Bank of Tampa bank account for Sanders Trading was 602 S. Boulevard. It just so happens that there was a check issued from that account to Estate Wine Group for $100,000, which Rainer signed. The payee on the check was, of course, Estate Wine Group; written in the memo field is "shares". So, I can only assume that Rainer owns shares of Estate Wine Group through Sanders Trading...hmmm...I also find it quite interesting that the "bankruptcy" attorney Michael Probst is currently using also has an address listed at 602 S. Boulevard..David W. Steen.
for your viewing pleasure seems vinocean and deborah are one of the same. ahhh one big happy family. as you can see from the website it is listed as the same compnay.
https://www.myfloridalicense.com/LicenseDetail.asp?SID=&id=F609107AF6B194781E6E6B05C23DB969
Name: MILAM, JAMES CRAYTON (Primary Name)
(DBA Name)
Main Address: UNIVERSAL WINE CORPORATION
6309 S. MAC DILL AVENUE, #1429
TAMPA Florida 33611
County: HILLSBOROUGH
License Mailing:
LicenseLocation:
License Information
License Type: Salesperson Wine & Spirits
Rank: LQS
License Number: LQS9960
Status: Current
Licensure Date: 12/12/2005
Expires:
Special Qualifications Qualification Effective
AUGENTI, DEBORAH KAREN (Primary Name)
(DBA Name)
Main Address: UNIVERSAL WINE CORPORATION
4025 TAMPA RD STE 1117
OLDSMAR Florida 34677
County: PINELLAS
License Mailing:
LicenseLocation:
License Information
License Type: Salesperson Wine & Spirits
Rank: LQS
License Number: LQS10150
Status: Current
Licensure Date: 03/14/2006
Expires:
Special Qualifications Qualification Effective
View Related License Information
View License Complaint
So the word on the street is that Rainer is going to re-open the franchise corp. He will be running the show. Who knows?
Speaking as a former bottle supplier for some of the oils and the vinegars they sold - what you saw happen here is why we gave up giving credit about 7 years ago to ALL customers... a credit card serves as credit and suppliers get paid... this is a shame - a true shame for the franchise holders - we sell many franchise stores for a competing chain of specialty olive oil stores - started when their foreign owned corporate went through much the same thing... the stronger managed stores survived and thrived... the same can hold true for you guys ... proud to say we still sell a few of them who learned their lesson in "one sided" supply chains! .... wishing you all the best ... Bob Lieberman, Managing Director / http://www.wholesaleglassbottles.com