Expense Reduction Analysts franchise complaints include an extremely high franchise failure rate, and aggressive franchisor bullying tactics to keep failed franchisees from warning away prospective franchisees.
Are you familiar with the Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA) franchise opportunity? Please share an anonymous comment below.
Also Read: ERA EXPENSE REDUCTION ANALYSTS Franchise Fraud Allegations
The Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA) website claims ERA is “one of the world’s largest and most successful consultancies for cost, purchase and supply management…”
“As a franchise partner you have the potential to generate a substantial income for you and your family. You can run your own consulting business with high flexibility and control your work-life balance…”
However, one former Expense Reduction Analysts franchise owner told us a different story.
After losing everything, an anonymous ERA franchisee told us he/she feels used, bullied, financially raped.
The franchisee feels like he/she escaped from a “financial serial killer, yet they are still free to pillage future victims.”
The franchisee claimed that many of his/her fellow franchisees suffered devastating failures, but all were so intimidated by the company’s legal threats and TRA (Termination and Release Agreement) that they are too afraid to even speak to fellow “victims.”
To verify the franchisee’s claim that Expense Reduction Analysts franchisees were failing in droves, we obtained a copy of Expense Reduction Analysts 2013 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
Sure enough, the FDD revealed that 304 Expense Reduction Analysts had been open in the U.S. between 2010 and 2013.
Of those 304, 125 (42%) franchises had been “terminated” or “ceased operation.”
Those numbers imply that nearly half the franchisees who invest in ERA thinking they’ll be getting “high flexibility and control” of their “work-life balance” will end up prematurely being terminated or ceasing operation.
For many, they received financial devastation in lieu of “work-life balance” and control.
Expense Reduction Analysts: “still free to pillage future victims”
One former Expense Reduction Analysts franchise owner believes the system is rigged from the start, stating “they knew from the beginning what they were going to do to me financially.”
He/she claims that Expense Reduction Analysts created a climate of fear and shame in which franchisees are afraid to let on to their fellow franchisees that they are struggling.
The franchisee writes “The ERA franchisee culture is that none of the franchisees wanted to reveal they were struggling. No one wanted to admit that things were not going according to what the Expense Reduction Analysts franchisor said should happen.”
The franchisee states that once they fail, franchisees are forbidden from sharing their negative experiences with future franchisees with a gag order (“Confidentiality and Non-Disparagement”).
So, evidently, the cycle is free to go on and on…
If you are considering an Expense Reduction Analysts franchise, or really any franchise opportunity, consult with an experienced franchise attorney and other qualified advisors.
Also Read:
ERA EXPENSE REDUCTION ANALYSTS Franchise Fraud Allegations
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE EXPENSE REDUCTION ANALYSTS FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY OR THE ERA FRANCHISE CONCEPT?
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TAGS: Expense Reduction Analysts, Expense Reduction Analysts franchise, Expense Reduction Analysts franchise complaints, Expense Reduction Analysts complaints, ERA franchise, ERA complaints, ERA Franchise Complaints, Franchise gag orders, franchise churning, Unhappy Franchisee, franchise warning, franchise complaints
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Good for you , at last ERA ex-franchisees are starting to speak their minds instead of being afraid of the Allison's taking them to court. Its what the Internet does best! I was speaking with an ex Era franchisee the other day and he was actually more worried about his family finding out exactly how much money he had blown, than he was about being sued by the Allison's! Good grief, the ramifications of this business are endless!
ERA are looking for 12 new people to join their team totalling a cool £478800 plus VAT. It looks to me as if this is their core business, rather than providing any procurement advice. I had a recent chat with three of them at a Franchise Exhibition and they were unbelievably rude and offhand. I quite fancied this franchise opportunity before I spoke to them. I can only thank them for not allowing my ego to get the better of me. I cannot say that I am impressed by the mutual 'backslapping' in the above posts and the claims of the US being in some way different to the UK. After all it is their brand.
Directors searchable under ERA seem to be doing very well for themselves. Maybe they are getting a share of the £478800.
"Directors searchable under ERA seem to be doing very well for themselves. Maybe they are getting a share of the £478800."
You can bet your life they will.
Don't forget, when you sign up for an ERA UK franchise, you are not allowed to name your business with anything "ERA-related" in the business name. This makes sure that no-one can find all the failed ERA franchisees by trawling the Companies House Dissolved Companies list.
Clever of them, huh?
"they were unbelievably rude and offhand. "
You must've somehow let them know you didn't have 40 grand to spare, borrow, or steal. Otherwise they would've been unbelievably charming and pleasant.
I am an ERA franchisee of 6 years standing. I too had a tough time establishing my business in the first few years, you can't get away from the fact that this is self employment (albeit within a collaborative network with support from the franchisor - who has a financial incentive for your success) .... self employment is not for everyone, in fact I think that most people who join from the comfort of a corporate world find it very tough. The trouble is it that it has attracted many people who haven't the temperament or skills necessary to succeed, something they are very reluctant to acknowledge to themslves. I do not recognise any of the names of the critics on this thread and I appreciate that some have feel it necessary to hide behind false names (e.g. the poisonous 'B. Ware'), but I am a bit surprised at the level of anger and bile, most of the criticisms I just do not recognise as true. I have come across some very talented people within the franchise who have worked very hard to make it work and reaped the rewards. The level of naivety among new franchisees is sometimes very high and I know that myself and others who speak to those prospective franchisees who have asked to talk to us are brutally honest about the negatives. But sometimes they only hear what they want to hear, they are convinced of their own abilities.
I am not part of any Alison Fan cIub and ERA associates who posted last year in support are giving what looks to me like honest opinions, I know most of them will have their own minor criticisms about ERA and opinions on how it could be run better, but what of us hasn't about how our organisations are run? The ERA franchise in the UK performs great service to it clients and we have our share of delighted clients I suggest that 'B.Ware', whoever you are, look at yourself and ask the questions about your own shortcomings and suitability for success in a consultancy, your 'Mr Angry' postings do not indicate to me that you have a personality likely to succeed in an environment where your ability to get on well with colleagues or clients is critical to success.
Pete, nice to hear from you ! Of course I am not going to reveal my real name - you didn't see the gagging order I had to sign in order to extricate myself (read previous posters).
I am not Mr Angry (anymore, anyway) , just disappointed that I and countless others were taken in and divested of needed money. Maybe I WAS a bit naive, but about the trustworthiness of the Allisons, not about the need for hard work (my average week in ERA was about 60 hours).
I am now running my own new business which relies TOTALLY on my ability to get on well and consult with customers, clients and colleagues from all walks of life. I am currently extremely successful in this, and thus able to charge accordingly.
However, I must follow my conscience and continue to do what little I can to prevent others unwittingly walking into the misery that I and others have endured. To that end, this forum is just the start. I hope you continue to be successful Pete, and I wish you every advantage, but the ERA gravy train cannot continue. Maybe it is time to be true to yourself and bail out?
ERA UK offers you a wonderful opportunity...
*An opportunity to throw away something North of £50k. Probably much much more when you factor in your ongoing franchise fees and the opportunity cost from wasting 2? 3? 4? years of your life.
*An opportunity to add to the fabulous ALW (Allison Wealth Fund.)
*An opportunity to kid yourself into believing that you have been sold a viable business model.
*An opportunity to sign an unbelievably onerous contract which commits you to signing another, unseen and even more onerous, contract in the event of wishing to exit.
*An opportunity to risk your sanity, your trust in others and your self-respect.
Note: Only available to qualified applicants.
Qualifications required:
1. £50k+
2. A trusting nature
Expense Reduction Analysts - an opportunity like no other.
Well well, ive just seen this website so here are my thoughts, simply avoid them. I was with ERA my term was up for renewal, decided not to renew as the constrictions they put on me.
As for the praise above this cleary seems asked for, at least three of the above got paid for roles
Was it good for me yes, but ive moved on to better things, but I would tell you this its not working now for new people
My tip, speak to new consultants, visit the competion ie Auditel, but in the end shy away
GOOD LUCK
My tip ask around the new people, consider the alternatives ie Auditel, lower cost and more areas.
Good luck if you join you will need it.
I am NOT an ERA franchisee but I went along to a Discovery Day and learned all about the following advantages of taking part:
*Network of like-minded consultant's
*Only available to qualified applicants
*Be your own boss
*High income potential
*Easy to learn system
*All the support necessary
*Database systems that are state of the art
*Award winning franchise system
*Long term business partnerships
*Low capital requirements
*Impressive results from existing franchisees
*Success level second to none
*Over 20 years of success
*No obligation Discovery Days
Then I read this blog and decided to go to Chepstow and blow my hard-earned dosh on the nags. At least it was fun!
Haha, fantastic name you have there, Ivan!
"Low Capital Requirements" - I guess that's true because your friendly NatWest Banker will lend you the 40K (funny how there's always a NatWest Banker hanging round ERA when you need one). You know, that £40K they magically conjured up by typing some numbers into a computer. Which doesn't really "exist", but causes lots of dosh to appear in the Allison's ERA holding company bank account. And doubtless there's a referral fee involved somewhere. Thing is, when you fail, they still want their conjured-up £40K back, except this time around it has to be real money, wot you've earned, matey. Funny, that.......