“Recession-Proof” JDog Franchise Lays Off Support Staff; Blames Economy

According to an internal message from Tracy “Mrs. JDog” Flanagan, the troubled JDog Brands has laid off 5 support staff members, including its Operations Coordinator, Director of Corporate Sales and, ironically, its Franchise Success Manager.  Despite company claims that it offers a “recession-proof” franchise opportunity, Tracy & Jerry Flanagan blame the economy for its self-inflicted woes.  by Sean Kelly (UnhappyFranchisee.Com)  JDog Brands, the flag-waving seller of franchise opportunities “for veterans, by veterans,” has laid off 5 franchise support staff members just in time for the holidays.  Previous recent departures include marketing manager & JDog Foundation board member Theresa Corkery, who left in October. (Theresa Corkery is the daughter of JDog VP Terry Corkery.  Cora Flanagan, daughter of Tracy & Jerry Flanagan, remains on the payroll.) See our JDog franchise warning & index of posts:  Franchise Warning: JDog Junk Hauling for Veterans (Index) Get JDog franchise expose updates:  JDog Franchise News & Discussion Newsletter Sign-Up

“Tough Year for JDog… Several Closings… Many Signed Locations Never Opened…New Sales Down Dramatically…”  Tracy & Jerry Flanagan

According to two leaked internal emails sent by Tracy “Mrs. JDog” Flanagan and signed “Wishing all of you a blessed holiday season!  Tracy and Jerry Flanagan,” the company founders claim they’ve had a “tough year.” The first reportedly went out to franchisees and staff December 1, 2023:

From: Tracy Flanagan <tracy@jdog.com> Date: Fri, Dec 1, 2023 at 3:51 PM Subject: From JDog HQ – Update To: Tracy Flanagan <tracy@jdog.com> Dear JDoggers: 2023 has been a tough year for JDog HQ as well as for some of you. As you are all aware, we have had several closings and many signed locations that never opened. This dramatically affected our budget.  In addition, new sales were also down dramatically due to the economy and struggles of obtaining financing. In order to respond to the year we have had, we have unfortunately made tough decisions to lay off several employees in multiple departments. We have downsized our operations department for both Junk and Carpet. For Junk, all communications should go to support@jdog.com. For Carpet, all communications should go to Dana Forester. Please contact either one for any further questions. We view this as a down year due to the economic climate and with your continuing support, we are looking forward to all of us JDogs bouncing back going into 2024. Wishing all of you a blessed holiday season! Tracy and Jerry Flanagan Tracy “Mrs. JDog” Flanagan Co-Founder/Senior Vice President Host of the Tactical Treasures Podcast Veteran Spouse-Army

In a follow-up email, Tracy “Mrs. JDog” Flanagan gave the titles, but not the names, of those no longer available to support their struggling franchisees:

Hello JDoggers: We have already had some inquiries to the previously email. For more clarification, these are the positions that have been laid off:

• Franchise Launch Manager
• Franchise Success Manager
• Operations Coordinator-Carpet
• Director of Corporate Sales
• Executive Assistant/Podcast Coordinator

Reach out to Kevin, James and Dana for further details. Respectfully Tracy “Mrs. JDog” Flanagan Co-Founder/SVP Veteran Spouse-Army JDog Franchises LLC (O) 484-318-8942 Ext 203 (M) 484-620-0618 Sent from my iPhone

Victims of the JDog Holiday Lay-Offs Remain on JDog Website

While Tracy Flanagan’s email failed to share the names of terminated staff members with the franchisees they supposedly supported, our sources indicate the following.  Three have been confirmed by exit dates listed on LinkedIn.  (If you have further information or corrections, please let us know.) .
Nikki Cloud – Air Force Veteran – Operations Coordinator at JDog® Carpet Cleaning & Floorcare Nikki was employed by JDog from Apr 2021 – Present (2 yr 10 mo) She was Operations Coordinator at JDog® Carpet Cleaning & Floorcare and, before that, as JDog Carpet & Floor Care Operations Assistant and Corporate Services Dispatcher.  She was terminated in December, 2023. .
Sam Kensinger – ARMY Veteran – Director of Corporate Sales Sam Kensinger was Director of Corporate Sales for JDog® Brands Feb 2023 – Dec 2023 · 11 mos He recently posted on LinkedIn, he described JDog® Brands as “a veteran franchise organization combating veteran isolation by reducing the veteran unemployment rate.” .
Dolly Morrison – Franchise Relationship Manager/Franchise Launch Manager Dolly Morrison was employed by JDog® Brands from Aug 2019 – Dec 2023 (4 yrs 5 mos) She was well-regarded by JDog franchisees.  Described by one franchisee as “one of the few at HQ who cared.” According to JDog, “Dolly’s maternal grandfather was a Military Veteran and her cousin currently serves in the U.S. Navy.” .
Kristin Akers –  Executive Assistant and Podcast Coordinator. Worked for JDog® Brands from Apr 2022 – Dec 2023 (1 yr 10 mos) Coordinated Tracy Flanagan’s “Tactical Treasures” Podcast .
Katie Miller – Franchise Success Manager According to JDog, “Katie comes from a Military family, with family members that have served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.” Katie Miller is still featured as an endorser of WORKIZ in the deceptive case study that makes false claims about JDog’s growth. .

Theresa Corkery – Daughter of VP Terry Corkery – Left JDog in October, 2023

Theresa Corkery recently departed from JDog.  She was JDog Marketing Manager, and a Board Member of the JDog Foundation from Oct 2021 – Oct 2023 · (2 yrs 1 mo). We will continue to seek the opinions and experiences of all involved (confidentially or anonymously, if preferred) in order to provide military veterans considering this (or other) franchise opportunities the information they need to make informed decisions on behalf of themselves and their families.   

JDog Franchise:  Additional Posts & Supporting Documents

All JDog Franchise Posts (Most Recent First)

This Franchise Scheme Sells, Sues & Silences American Veterans   May 1, 2023

The Veteran-Targeted Franchise Trap That FOX News Built.   April 28, 2023

Is Julip Run Capital Exploiting Veterans & Military Families? April 20, 2023

Letter Suggests Jerry Flanagan Was Removed From JDog Franchise for Sexual Harrassment April 19, 2023

Does the JDog Franchise Program Exploit Veterans & Military Families? April 17, 2023

JDog Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) & Other Documents

JDog Jerry Flanagan Sexual Harassment Investigation Letter JDog Junk Hauling Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) dated 093022 JDog Carpet Cleaning Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) dated 061522 OPEN INVITATION:  Unhappy Franchisee extends an open invitation to all those discussed to provide corrections, explanations, clarifications and/or rebuttals.  We will correct factual errors & alternative views fairly.  Anonymous or signed comments are welcome below or can be emailed in confidence to UnhappyFranchisee[at]Gmail[dot]com. 

Sean Kelly is an independent investigative journalist with 35 years of franchise industry experience.  Since founding UnhappyFranchisee.Com in 2006, his reporting has exposed & shut down several predatory franchise & investment schemes.  Sean Kelly is a franchise watchdog who prompted and aided the FBI investigation that shut down the 165-victim multi-million-dollar NY Bagel franchise scam and landed perpetrators Dennis Mason & Joseph Smith in federal prison.  Sean was featured in the ABC Four Corners expose of 7-Eleven wage theft in Australia and has served as an advisor to Dateline NBC.  He has withstood bullying, intimidation & frivolous lawsuits as high as $35M and never lost.  His crack editorial staff and fact checkers include Chick, Gem, Red, Pru & Joanie the Rescue Chicken. Contact the author at UnhappyFranchisee[at]Gmail[dot]com This initiative is dedicated to the memory of my father, Raymond J.Kelly, who served with the U.S. Navy during WWII and piloted a landing craft in the Normandy Invasion, D-Day, at Utah Beach… and my brother Paul, who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.  Two honorable men that are deeply needed and dearly missed. Tags:  JDog layoffs, JDog downsizing, JDog, JDog franchise, JDog Junk franchise, JDog Carpet cleaning franchise, JDog staff cuts, JDog fires employees, JDog franchise for veterans, Jerry Flanagan, Tracy Flanagan, Kevin Kopa, James Caudle, Terry Corkery, Theresa Corkery, Sam Kensinger, Dolly Morrison, Kristen Akers, Katie Miller, veteran unemployment, deceptive franchise, veteran exploitation