CORK & OLIVE Team Launches Solera Wine Franchise. Beware!

Michael Probst & Deborah Augenti are at it again.

We received a tip that Probst & Augenti, the same people responsible for creating the Cork & Olive franchise fiasco, have launched a new franchise opportunity using the name Solera Distributors, which they promoted on Craig’s List.

The domain name for Solera Distributors was registered March 1, 2009 by Deborah Augenti:

Registrant:
 Deborah Augenti
 681 Turnberry Ct
 Tarpon Springs, FL 34688
 US

 Domain name: SOLERADISTRIBUTORS.NET

 Administrative Contact:
    Augenti, Deborah  d.augenti@yahoo.com
    681 Turnberry Ct
    Tarpon Springs, FL 34688
    US
    +1.7272781028

Corporation records from Sunbiz.com show that Deborah Augenti was President & Robin Hoover was CFO of Solera Wine Distributors, Inc. from the corporate inception in March, 2008 until August 3, 2009. An August 3, 2009 amendment ( ) named Michael Probst CEO/President & Deborah Augenti is Registered Agent; Robin Hoover’s name was removed.

Florida Profit Corporation

SOLERA WINE DISTRIBUTORS INC.

Principal Address

C/O MICHAEL PROBST

681 TURNBERRY COURT

TARPON SPRINGS FL 34688

Changed 08/03/2009

Registered Agent Name & Address

AUGENTI, DEBORAH

681 TURNBERRY CT

TARPON SPRINGS FL 34688 US

Officer/Director Detail

Title PS

PROBST, MICHAEL CFO

681 TURNBERRY COURT

TARPON SPRINGS FL 34688

The FTC prohibits the promise of success or profits in franchise marketing materials.  However, the Solera Distributors franchise website is filled with illegal earnings claims promising franchisee success & profitability:

…Franchisees should be able to support their basic living requirements for 4-6 months while building the foundation of their business.  Franchisees will work in a defined territory.  The potential of each territory will allow the franchisee the opportunity to obtain at least 40 to 50 accounts out of approximately 100 to 120 identified in the territory… 

Area Developers have investment options that range in accordance with the potential of the territory, with capital outlay ranging from $200,000.00 to $400,000.00.  We anticipate Area Developers will return investment within the first twelve to fourteen months of operation…

Franchisees will generate their profit from the mark up of wine products to the retailer.  Area Developers will generate their profit from the mark up of wine products to the franchisee and receive half of the initial and ongoing fees of their 40 – 60 Franchisees.  Because of the low costs to Solera, both the franchisee and the retailer will enjoy significant profits while maintaining a low price list at the retail level.

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Also read: 

Cork & Olive Franchise: $2.5 Million in Debt? June 16th, 2008  Cork & Olive Wine Franchise Co. Files for Bankruptcy June 10th, 2008  What REALLY Uncorked Cork & Olive? June 6, 2008  Cork & Olive Franchise Corp. Collapse: What’s the REAL Story? June 6th, 2008  Cork & Olive’s Probst Abandons Franchisees June 5, 2008