FETCH! Pet Franchise is Destroying Marriages

The stress and strain of a failed or failing franchise is more than financial.  We receive so many sad stories of broken families, broken marriages, depression and other mental health issues, substance abuse and… worse.   The sad stories we hear only scratch the surface, as most failed franchisees remain silent out of embarrassment, shame or intimidation from their franchisor.  We appreciate that former Fetch! franchise owner John Neu shared his story with the FTC, saying “I don’t want other families being broken to pieces by these people.“  by Sean Kelly

See:  FETCH! Pet Care Franchise Complaints (Index)

The FETCH! Pet Care franchise opportunity is currently being promoted by franchisor Phoenix Franchise Brands, Greg Longe, Maria Longe, & franchise broker groups including Rhino7 & International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG). 

Problems with the franchisor, Phoenix Franchise Brands, prompted the formation of the Independent Association of Fetch Pet Care Franchisees. Nearly 40 Fetch! Pet Care franchisee complaint were submitted to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) call for comments on franchise regulations and franchisor practices.   

This comment from John Neu was posted by the Federal Trade Commission on Oct 7, 2024

Hello,

After losing my job in 2021 my wife and I decided it was the right time to move our family from the cold in WI to the beach in NC.

So I began to research franchise opportunities and started working with a broker.

I had interviews with seven different brands until my broker told me “I had to check these guys out.”

It was Fetch Pet Care- the numbers he presented were incredible, with margins I did not think were possible for this type of service.

This was the one, it almost seemed too good to be true. Unfortunately, it was.

After making the move and starting up our business, nothing happened the way they said it would.

The support from the SMC started severely lacking around the 6 month mark.

The plan was to lean on them heavily the first few years so I could get out in the community networking and building the local brand via event marketing.

Again, nothing took place the way they said it would. The system and support I was sold on was a farce, it did not take place.

After a year in and the business hemorrhaging money still, they continue to tell me that all I need to do is keep adding more money to the marketing budget.

They never told me anything else except, you need to spend more money on marketing.

Up to that point, I have followed their system to the T and it was not working. Nothing was working the way they said it would.

On top of that, the fees went up so I could no longer afford to pay the royalties now.

Fast forward another 6 months and I was so in debt that I didn’t know what to do.

This is when Greg Longe and Marie Longe swept in and said they would take over my business and they won’t make me pay back the royalties. It was a way out, little did I know this was all part of the behind the scenes plan.

They also told me they would build the business and actively try to sell it, and if it sells the first year I get 75% and if it sells the second year, I would get 50%.

Well I’m a year and a half into that deal and I have never heard back from them with any updates with how the business is doing, what their efforts have been to sell it etc..

This took such a toll on me and my family, it ultimately led to my wife and I separating and divorcing.

This business has been the focal point during our extremely difficult divorce and had left me feeling like a failure because I couldn’t support my family, which led to my wife filing for divorce.

A few months ago I caught up with another fetch franchisee who was struggling and he filled me In about how many other people were going through the same thing.

This is when I found out what was really going on. We finally realized the pyramid scheme they were running and all the fraudulent practices that were taking place.

So I want to make sure this doesn’t continue to happen to other people just looking to make an investment and take care of their families.

I don’t want other families being broken to pieces by these people.

Please look into Fetch Pet Care and Greg & Maria Longe.

Best Regards,
John Neu

About Fetch! Pet Care & Phoenix Franchise Brands:

Livonia, MI-based Phoenix Franchise Brands was founded & is headed by Greg Longe & Maria Longe (aka Maria Shinabarger). 

One or both of the Longes were previously associated with British Swim School, Martinizing International, Rooster’s Men’s Grooming Center, Zoup! (rebranded Z!Eats), & Collision on Wheels International (defunct).

Private Equity:  Cybeck Capital Fund, LLC (“CCF”), a private equity fund managed by Cybeck Capital Partners, LLC of Dayton, Ohio, acquired a portion of the issued and outstanding common stock of Fetch! Pet Care, Inc. and retains a minority ownership interest in Fetch! Pet Care, Inc.

Litigation:  Phoenix Franchise Brands is being sued by call center provider EagleOne Insights, LLC.

Franchise Registrations appear to be expired in multiple states (CA, MN, & IN).  Most recent FDD expired September, 2024

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Tags:  Fetch! Pet Care franchise complaints, Fetch! Pet Care franchise, Fetch franchise, Phoenix Franchise Brands, franchise complaints, Greg Longe, Maria Longe, Maria Shinabarger, pet franchises, Rhino7, Cybeck Capital Fund, LLC (“CCF”), Cybeck Capital Partners, LLC, dog franchise, Furry Land franchise, Spray Foam Genie franchise, Door Renew franchise, MedSpa810 franchise, Federal Trade Commission, FTC