The Perfect Franchise Partner Patrick Elsner Was Sued for Racketeering, Fraud

Patrick Elsner is a Partner, franchise consultant and commissioned broker at The Perfect Franchise.  He promotes the controversial sales pitch of “semi-absentee passive investor” models in franchising.  One of those who bought a “passive investor” model franchise sued him, his broker group and his associates for racketeering & fraud… and won.  by Sean Kelly

Bullies Do Not Get to Win:  Please make a much-needed financial contribution to our Legal Defense Fund so we can withstand the attacks of those who wish to keep the public in the dark:  Contribute to the FREE SPEECH IN FRANCHISING Legal Defense Fund.

Also read our latest posts on attempts to silence free speech by The Perfect Franchise:

The Perfect Franchise Consultant Brandon Wilson Was Sued for Racketeering, Fraud

BULLIED BY BROKERS: TPF Franchise Brokers SLAPP Consumer Watchdog

Mark Schnurman, The Perfect Franchise Lawsuit:  Documents & Timeline

Mark Schnurman, The Perfect Franchise, Contributes to Our Cease & Desist Letter Collection

Mark Schnurman, The Perfect Franchise, Threatens Me with Legal Action.  For Written Slander.

Patrick Elsner Claims He’s a Consultant, Not a Franchise Broker or Salesman

In an interview titled “Franchise Secrets: From Banker to $25M Biz Owner! w/ Patrick Elsner,” Patrick Elsner claims he’s a franchise consultant, not a broker.

Interviewer:  “Is it fair to say that you are a franchise broker?”

Patrick Elsner:  “I consider myself a consultant. A broker is selling something.  I can’t sell someone a franchise.  My role is to be a conduit or a matchmaker…”

We disagree.  We believe those who are compensated with significant commissions of $25,000 to $50,000+ to steer buyers to select franchisors – and who are paid by those franchisors – should not hide behind the less-than-half-truth that their role is that of an unbiased professional.

Patrick Elsner Promotes the Controversial “Passive Investor” Franchise Model

In the aforementioned interview from 9 months ago, Patrick Elsner said:

He touts the “investor model” in franchising, stating:

“I think that people don’t realize when it comes to franchising there are ways that you can be a franchise owner and be largely passive there are some franchisors that are now offering these passive investor models where you you know just like if you own 25 apartment units in Sanford Florida and you’re up in Michigan you have a property management company operate those for you.  It’s the same premise with this passive investor model…”

Dozens, if not hundreds, of franchisees have submitted complaints about franchise brokers, franchise sales organizations and franchisors using the false promise of passive investment franchises to sign up franchisees. 

Watch this video: “Semi-Absentee Investor Franchise” is a Scam – Phoenix Franchise Brands Franchisees

In arbitration and lawsuit filings against Patrick Elsner and others by an Anodyne Pain & Wellness franchisee, Elsner should have disclosed his role as commissioned franchise broker and not made false and fraudulent claims to sell the “passive investor” franchise.

Arbitrator Ruled Against Defendants, Including Patrick Elsner, Amidst Racketeering, Fraud Allegations

On 5/31/23, AAA arbitrator Harold R. Bruno, III awarded a judgement of $484,910.91 in Deyoung v. Anodyne Franchising against Patrick Elsner (now Partner, The Perfect Franchise), Franchise Consulting Corp., Brandon Wilson (now Senior Consultant, The Perfect Franchise), Christopher James Conner of Franchise Marketing Systems, Greg Rondinelli (the franchisor) and others.

The arbitration award is posted here:  Deyoung v. Anodyne Franchising

2024 Complaint Against The Perfect Franchise Partner is Deeply Concerning

Civil Action No. 4:24-cv-01580 was filed 4/26/24 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas:

ANNA DEYOUNG, in her individual capacity and as Executor under the Will of Jeffrey Maddox, Plaintiffs, v. CHRISTOPER JAMES CONNER, CONNER AND ASSOCIATES, LLC, d/b/a FRANCHISE MARKETING SYSTEMS,GREG RONDINELLI, JOHN F. COGGIN, CPA PLLC,  ANODYNE PAIN AND WELLNESS, INC.,, WAYNE MACK, RICHARD WALDO, GREGORY SIMONS, JEFFREY STEVENSON, FRANDEVCO LLC,  BRANDON WILSON, FRANCHISE CONSULTING CORPORATION and  PATRICK ELSNER, Defendants.

You can read the complaint here:

  Ana Deyoung v Conner, FranDevCo, Brandon Wilson, Patrick Elsner, et al

Patrick Elsner Accused of Providing Fraudulent Information, Collecting Unreasonable Commissions, Hiding His True Interest as a Franchise Broker

10. Defendant Franchise Consulting Corporation (“FCC”), through its franchise salesperson, Defendant Patrick Elsner, knowingly disseminated and sold franchises to Plaintiffs which he knew contained fraudulent information, confirmed the fraudulent misrepresentations in emails and by telephone, and collected unreasonable commissions from the Enterprise, and failed to disclose his true interest as a franchise broker in the sales transactions.

In our opinion, it’s highly disturbing that even after this arbitration and judgement, The Perfect Franchise Partner Patrick Elsner continues to downplay his true role as a commission-driven franchise broker and continues to promote the idea of that there are many “passive investment” franchises that require just a few hours per week and can be operated remotely.

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Tags: Franchise consultant Brendan Wilson, franchise consultant Patrick Elsner, Anodyne Pain franchise, Christopher Conner, FMS, Mark Schnurman, Mark Adam Schnurman, The Perfect Franchise, franchise consultants, franchise brokers, Blick Law, attorney Shaun Blick, attornet Eric J. Warner, Phoenix Franchise Brands, Fetch! Pet Care franchise, Furry Land Grooming franchise, Spray Foam Genie franchise, SLAPP, Strategic Lawuit Against Public Participation, PA, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press