CUPPY’S COFFEE Franchise Graveyard

128 thoughts on “CUPPY’S COFFEE Franchise Graveyard”

• I know that Christiansburg, VA, Houston, TX, and Midland, TX are all closed and bankrupt.

• I know that the two kiosks in Michigan are also bankrupt.

• I’ve marked the two kiosks in Michigan as closed, and added Christiansburg, VA, Houston, TX, and Midland, TX. Wasn’t there a closure in Arlington, TX.

  I added Chicago, south of Midway airport which I realized was doomed as soon as I saw it. Super busy street (too busy), low visibility for the kiosk and prominent Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks nearby.

  What happens to those drive through units? Is it still sitting there?

• Here is the store location list that was on the Cuppy’s Coffee website November, 2006. There are 70 locations listed with 21 listed as open and the rest “Coming soon” Only 11 of the 70 appear on the current website as og Aug. 2008.

  The stores with question marks are those that don’t appear on the current website. What happened to them? Can you clarify? Are some open with different town names?

  1 Tuscaloosa Alabama Coming Soon
  2 Huntsville Alabama Coming Soon
  ? Tempe Arizona Coming Soon
  ? Payson Arizona Open
  ? Fresno California Coming Soon
  ? Manteca California Coming Soon
  ? Saugus California Coming Soon
  ? Porterville California Coming Soon
  ? Temecula California Coming Soon
  ? Covina California Coming Soon
  ? Brawley California Coming Soon
  ? Winchester California Open
  ? Hemet California Open
  ? Greeley Colorado Coming Soon
  ? Aurora Colorado Coming Soon
  ? Torrington Connecticut Coming Soon
  ? Fort Walton Beach Florida Coming Soon
  18 Jacksonville Beach Florida Open
  ? Cape Coral Florida Coming Soon
  ? Tarpon Springs Florida Coming Soon
  21 Ft. Myers Florida Coming Soon
  ? Bradenton Florida Coming Soon
  ? Punta Gorda Florida Coming Soon
  ? Crestview Florida Coming Soon
  ? Plant City Florida Coming Soon
  ? Wintergarden Florida Coming Soon
  ? Orlando Florida Coming Soon
  ? Gulf Breeze Florida Coming Soon
  ? Destin Florida Open
  ? Milton Florida Open
  31 Panama City Beach Florida Coming Soon
  32 Shalimar Florida Open
  ? Winston Georgia Coming Soon
  ? Loganville Georgia Coming Soon
  ? Tinley Park Illinois Coming Soon
  ? Rockton Illinois Coming Soon
  ? Crystal Lake Illinois Coming Soon
  ? Hinsdale Illinois Coming Soon
  ? Shelbyville Indiana Coming Soon
  ? Greenwood Indiana Open
  ? Dry Ridge Kentucky Coming Soon
  ? Haughton Louisiana Coming Soon
  ? Madisonville Louisiana Open
  ? Houma Louisiana Open [CLOSED]
  45 Battle Creek Michigan Coming Soon
  46 Ocean Springs Mississippi Open
  47 Gulfport Mississippi Open
  48 Las Vegas Nevada Coming Soon
  ? Cooperstown New York Coming Soon
  ? Mamaroneck New York Coming Soon
  ? Sherburne New York Open
  ? Cameron North Carolina Coming Soon
  ? Reidsville North Carolina Open
  ? Lexington North Carolina Open
  ? McMurray Pennsylvania Coming Soon
  ? Taylors South Carolina Coming Soon
  ? Chattanooga Tennessee Coming Soon
  58 Knoxville Tennessee Coming Soon
  59 Knoxville Tennessee Coming Soon
  ? Yantis Texas Coming Soon
  ? Keene Texas Coming Soon
  ? Kempner Texas Coming Soon
  ? Midland Texas Coming Soon [CLOSED]
  ? McKinney Texas Open
  ? San Antonio Texas Open
  ? Katy Texas Open
  ? El Paso Texas Open
  ? Belton Texas Open
  ? Christiansburg Virginia Open [CLOSED]
  ? LaCrosse Wisconsin Open

• Several of these listed are bankrupt before they even got open. Several got tired of waiting on Dale to get off his butt & get build outs done so they are opening their cafe as an independant. Which I can’t blame them because Cuppy’s/Elite/Medina have done virtually nothing to support them or get them open. The lawsuits and class action lawsuit continue to multiply. Oh… the reason several are not on the website map is because Dale took only the brown nosers that really don’t know how to do anything accept kiss a$$ which means no one is keeping up with the maps on their website. It would really be too much work for someone to do that now anyway because when/if a zee actually gets open, they end up closing in 1-3 months.

• Several of these listed are bankrupt before they even got open. Several got tired of waiting on Dale to get off his butt & get build outs done so they are opening their cafe as an independant.

  Guest: Can you say which ones went bankrupt and which ones went independent so I can update the list? Thanks.

• What is a “mobile cafe”? Does that mean the kioks is on wheels?
  Where in Elyria, OH is it, I live close to Elyria.

• The maps were kept up. The head of IT has his girlfriend at home do it. She was fired earlier this year. So they just added her to the other payroll and has her do all the things Will can’t do since he is so very busy with more important things. They both moved to Alabama as well.

• Cuppy’s Coffee in Hanover Massachusetts is alive and well. Please fix your list!!!

• Jerry:

  Apologies and congratulations! May the Cuppy’s Coffee in Hanover Massachusetts live long and prosper!

  And may I get more accurate intell.

  Now you are in the company of Mark Twain when he said “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

  Anyone else have corrections, additions?

• Kelly: A mobile unit is an 8’x10′ trailer on wheels.

  I personally know of two stores in the Orlando area that closed recently. One was a Java Jo’z in Oviedo, the other was a Cuppy’s in Orlando.

• Niceville, Florida – paid but never opened

• We were the McKinney, Texas store, we tried to go independent after we saw the insanity of dealing with Cuppy’s but we were too sapped financially after dealing with them that we closed. We began the process way back in 2005, did not open until 2006 and then closed about 8 months later. We were their first Cuppy’s Cafe and I can tell you we had no idea the caliber of people we were dealing with until it was too late. From Morgan all the way till now, nothing but crooks and scam artists. We are now filing personal bankruptcy. I heard Morg was sick, I’m sorry but that God crap he always pulled may be coming back to haunt him now. Hopefully he has something to say to the gate keeper about the way he ran his life when he gets to where he is going! Just wanted to help complete your list, we are also closed.

• The store in Carrollton, Georgia is being opened independantly…..

• Colleyville, TX still trying to open, we still have a little money, I have pulled togeter all outside help to finish my project. I’m moving forward with great care without them.

  It will cost us all of our remaining loan and an additional $30,000.00.

  I will be a double drive through. We never recievied any help for location. AND THEY HAVE COLLECTED $85,000.00 FROM US, That will be our gift to the Cuppies people. I don’t believe anyone will get any of their money back.

  Christy

• I’m moving forward with great care without them.

  Good for you, Christy. Are you opening under your own name? Did you get any resistance for going it independent?

  How about you, Alicia?

  Danielle: We’re sorry to hear about the bankruptcy. Hopefully, it will take a weight off. From what I understand, Morg really was sick in 2006, but used it as an excuse/sympathy through 2007. Unbelievable.

• By the way, all of you who signed up before this year don’t technically exist.

  At least, according to the new website, Cuppy’s Coffee was established in 2008:

  http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/2008/09/cuppys-coffee-established-in-2008/

  I guess all your money just got swallowed up in the time-space continuum that is obviously under Dale’s control. The man can’t get his employees or vendors paid or coffee shops built, but he DOES have the ability to rewrite history.

• Hitler tried to change Germany’s written record books during his rule……

• As for Morg being sick, this is the one area I will stand up and defend him. He honestly, truly was sick. He has been dealing with the effects of throat cancer for a long time now. I believe treatments and medications are still being continued.

  I know he didn’t have the best business ethics (as I’m finding out through these blogs), but don’t talk crap about someone’s health. That’s hitting below the belt.

• Guest writes: As for Morg being sick, this is the one area I will stand up and defend him… I know he didn’t have the best business ethics (as I’m finding out through these blogs), but don’t talk crap about someone’s health…

  Guest: several people recounted how, in early 2007, Morg had told them that his life-threatening illness had given him a new perspective and a dedication to honesty, ethical business, etc. for the rest of his days – as only such a situation could bring about. These people believed that while he had a questionable past, he had truly “seen the light.” It was unthinkable that someone would use such a serious topic to deceive, so they bought it at the time.

  During 2007, nothing really had changed at all, except Morg’s machine kept generating millions of dollars from people who would have nothing but hardship, ruined credit and bankruptcy to look forward to. It’s unthinkable to me to think someone would use a serious illness to their advantage like that – those of you who heard him speak would have a better idea of whether he did or didn’t.

• Since my wife insists on watching this train wreck unfold and subjecting me to a constant reminder of how poorly we were treated and how much we have lost, I must reply to the good “Guest” who posted on Sept. 15 that, “I know [Morg] didn’t have the best business ethics…but don’t talk crap about someone’s health. That’s hitting below the belt.”

  To begin with, stating that Robert Morgan “didn’t have the best business ethics” is perhaps one of the biggest understatements in the history of man. Robert Morgan is an unredeemable, unrepentant piece of garbage who has NO business ethics or, for that matter, personal ethics.

  Guest, you are DEAD wrong that addressing someone’s health issues is “hitting below the belt.” When Robert Morgan engaged in deceptive business practices and fraud and STOLE from people, any and everything about him became fair game. When Robert Morgan came to our store, saw first hand the mess that we were left, looked us in they eye and said “this is the worst situation I could image…I’m so sorry this has happened to you…I won’t let this store fail…I’m going to get a team of people down here to make this right…I’ll call Bellisimo and get them out here, at my own expense, if I have to” and then walked away never to look back or provide assistance, that was hitting below the belt.

  Life has a funny way of coming full circle and making us account for our misdeeds. Robert Morgan deserves whatever befalls him, no matter how awful. In the end, he will get exactly what he deserves and I will have no pity for him. My last, best hope is that he rots in hell where all those of his ilk belong.

• I am one of the people who was robbed of the $30K and no longer exist (since now things started in 2008 and there was a black hole of those of us who trusted them prior to that time). Years and years of following this drama, signing agreements, agreeing to taking blog comments down, everything. I wait..and wait… Every cent I had saved I gave to Morg with him assuring me I was making the right decision and thinking I did my due diligence. The guy could look you in the eye and put his hand on your shoulder and tell you he’s doing everything he can and then walk away and never give you a second thought. I know some of you have lost more than me and some have lost less but we are all in the same boat living with the fact that we gave someone our hard earned money and they took it with nothing short of stealing. Their contract meant nothing, their refund clause meant nothing, their words meant nothing.
  I, unfortunately, do get some joy knowing that Roy Snowden is sitting in a prison. I hope he likes the food and lies there wishing he was in that $2M house that stolen money paid for that he will never see again. My ordeal dates all the way back to the Snowden days.
  I pray that somehow we all get financially even in some way – even if these crooks don’t have to pay it.

• Voorhees NJ Cuppy’s
  Paid for never opened

• Hobe Sound Florida 2008- Cafe paid for never opened.

• Crestview, Florida – Closed

  Shalimar, Florida – Closed

  Pace, Florida – Closed

• Wilmington, DE Open

• Did the Christenburg VA store take Bankrupts or just close I noticed that it does not have a for sale sign on it just a sign that said ran out of Beans earlier than I thought How would you find out if it could be bought and opened independently

• Chino CA cafe closed Oct 2008

• guest on sep. 17- i also feel as you.i lost 80 thousand. cuppys assured me up till the time i was to get my building. i got my premits and site plan ready—- couldnt get in touch with anyone…..at this point , maybe that was a blessing! i take care of my mother, also grandson- who is now 3. work 40 hours a week, it has been a real hardship on us….right has to be done!!!!

• shasta lake city, caif. paid and never opened..

• Sussanlane:

  If you are in California you may want to talk to the state department in charge of registering franchises. CA required Cuppy’s to escrow deposits. If they didn’t escrow the money the state may be able to help you get some money back.

• JD,

  They didn’t give money to Cuppy’s, they gave money to Elite Manufacturing. As a result, there was no requirement for escrowing money and none ever was. Technically, they didn’t pay for a franchise, they paid for a building.

• Guest: I’m curious to know if anyone has brought this up to the Registration Department in CA and gotten their opinion on it. This was obviously a way for Cuppy’s/Medina to circumvent the escrow requirement in CA.

  Also, Cuppy’s may not have been in compliance in CA. Their 2006 UFOC expired in April 07, but they didn’t re-register until Aug 07, so maybe they were ‘illegally’ selling to prospective franchisees. CA wasn’t the only state that they allowed their registration to lapse.

  Sussanlane: If you haven’t done so, contact the state, see if they can help in some fashion.

• so where do i go to contact the state?? i started with java joz, was told i got everything cuppys would have , only name was different…i would not have to pay the 25 thousand only roylties. and of course alot of pressure to send more money..

• California Department of Corporations http://www.corp.ca.gov/

  Morg Morgan’s previous franchise company, Slender Lady, also got in hot water for selling franchises after their registration had lapsed. CA press release: http://www.corp.ca.gov/press/pdf/2005/nr0505.pdf

  FYI Bruce Sharpe, Morg’s friend and business partner in Slender Lady, died recently: http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/2008/12/slender-lady-founder-bruce-sharpe-has-died/

  He had been “happily living in Columbia”

• I was the owner of Arlington TX and yes it was a cafe that is now closed and filed for chapter 7 bankruptsy.

  McKinney TX is also closed and closed months before I did. I dont know their history or their contact information.

• I have a slightly different story. I paid my money and I opened my store. 6 months later, I closed my store. I closed for two reasons:

  First reason: Lou Wachtel, who worked for Cuppy’s at the time, talked me into opening a coffee cafe in Manchester, CT. He promised me that the year before the mall had 17 million people walk through their doors and that I only needed to get 1% of these people to break even. So, I cautiously took the deal. Unfortunately, the first thing I had to do was sign the rental application. Again, all the while, I am asking 25 questions a week trying to make sure I get as much information as I can. I got answers to my questions but they were all lies. My rent was $9,000/mo. My rent was about 70% of my sales.

  Second reason: Elite Mfg fired my original builder 2 weeks before I had to start paying rent ($9,000/mo). Not a single hammer was swung on my project. Nothing was done. So, I proceeded to find someone else to build my store that cost me $114,000. 4 months later I opened but paid $36,000 in rent before that day. My working capital had been cut by 60%. So, I had no money to sustain the business. I was growing the business but just couldn’t make ends meet.

  I’ve spoke with an attorney who has looked into my situation. He’s told me there are a few things they’ve done which are against the laws in CT. Unfortunately, Cuppys is closed now.

  I understand there is a Class action suit against Cuppy’s? If someone could forward the contact information of the person championing this suit to me, I’d greatly appreciate it.

  Thanks
  Bankrupt in CT

• I have been through all of this. Never opened. Paid 35900. took out a second mortgage. Luckily, sold my home and paid that off. Lost 20,000 cash.Dealt with Danny Jones. What a crook. Morgan can die in hell!!
  Danny Jones too!
  We would call and call and negotiate and signed the agreement. It is so weird to see all of these people who were told the same stuff as us and then the result is the same Nothing!
  We sent a cert letter and someone signed for them at Elite and Cuppys. We also reported Rudy Harper to the Bar Assoc. he was in their legal dept who we spoke with a couple of times.
  We live in Louisiana and can’t wait to find Lil Tran in new orleans, the “wealthy” cuppys owner.
  As for as the lady that doesnt want to hit below the belt! You haven’t been hurt enough to feel the pain we have felt for months. MANY, MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS!. Those crooks can die and go to hell with their rotten diseases!
  You will reap what you sow!

• Oh! just in case the lil tran thing is misunderstood, you know how people are, I’m sure we will never find her, but if we do, it will not be a physical altercation, but definately a verbal one :) Maybe I should go throughout New Orleans and do my nails in hopes in finding her. TRAMP!

• Does anyone have ANY info in finding a number to call Cuppys now??

• Oh, wanted to mention the little liar, Desiree Kahn, who supposedly worked for Rudy Harper.

• Cuppy’s Coffee of Port Charlotte, FL has just expanded into a second location across the bridge into Punta Gorda, FL located in our health club facility.

  Punta Gorda Club – Tennis & Fitness
  2905 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
  http://www.PuntaGordaClub.com

  Come visit us!

• I am looking for a mobile unit for sale/lease.

  Please contact:
  gulfcoastjavajoz1@hotmail.com

• Amy & Gary Wiebers
  Panama City Beach Florida – open

  30K for 2nd dual drive thru – stolen

• The store in Tyrone, Georgia is independent. Grand Coffee. Also the Womacks store in the mall in Salem, Orgeon is closed. Couldn’t survive after Mr. Nabors stole all of their money. Speaking of the “wonderful’ Mr. Nabors, has anyone heard from him lately or know of his whereabouts? We are still looking for him.

• Amy:

  Please contact me at sjustice64@gmail.com…I am the mobile unit in Niceville, 45 miles west of you, im looking to sell.

  Thanks!

  Aaron

• WHAT A BAD JOKE—- i thought i was stupid to have fallen for thisshit. 100 grand is alot of money, to have lost–opps i mean have stolen from you.i like am single take care of my mother, and grandson, work 40 hours a week. i will never recover from this!!!!! for ALL OF US I PRAY——

• If you havnt heard there is a attorney firm taking the lawsuit on contingency

• I feel for all curves people and cuppies, they are a few who have been conned and lost all they have worked for their entire lives. Have you logged on to the website Bakersdelightlies, now known as bdlies, as the domain name has switched from the original owner to Bakers delight holdings(COBS), this in itself is interesting to say the least.

  There is also cheesecakeshoplies, and blue mau mau. Baskin Robbins and a host of others who have been set up to warn others of the dangers of franchise churning and unscrupulous operators.

• WOW…it is never ending… I am still 2 years out, but there is finally some hope. State Atty Gen of FL sent a letter to me and 41 others (many of your names I did not see) regarding a prelim investigation. The office feels we do have grounds for criminal action and defered a letter to:

  Dept of Ag and Consumer Services
  Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement
  6095 Old Bagdad Hwy
  Milton, FL 32583
  Attn:Lt. Calhoun
  (850) 983-4550

  Please refer to case number #4607FR000060A

  Hope this helps for those of you that are still in your anger stage. Word of advice…I lost 36k in Dec 06, and yes, still pay interest on it today, not to mention the time and resources I have utilized to try to get a “ROI” from Medina/Cuppy’s/Elite/Morgan…etc…If you have your family and health let your anger turn to a positive to make these people fall. Focus on what we all do have at this time in our life vs what they took, otherwise…they won! Karma will catch them. Best of luck…there is STRENGTH in Numbers!

  Criston