What REALLY Uncorked Cork & Olive?
It appears that there’s more to the closing of the Cork & Olive Franchise Corp. HQ than is being reported. Responding to yesterday’s post, Cork & Olive Wine Shop Franchise Owners Left High & Dry, Wanda commented:
Mike Probst doesn’t care about his 40 employees he fired or all the money the franchisees have spent. He only cares about himself. I looked his name up in myflorida.com and found out he has a judgement filed against him and the company for $800,000. and another one for 30,000. He also sold franchises when he had pending lawsuits against him and the company. He is the worst kind of human. He preys on people that want a better life for themselves and their families. Instead of him giving up controlling interest he would rather put these good peoples lives and families in jepardy. So as I see it he should go to jail. Why isn’t the FTC stepping in and finding out why he was able to sell to innocent people when he knew the company was going under?
A search of the Florida Corporations database indeed revealed two judgements:
| Document Number: J07000400286 Status: ACTIVE Case Number: 07-8509 Name of Court: HILLSBOROUGH – CIRCUIT/CIVIL File Date: 12/11/2007 Date of Entry: 11/30/2007 Expiration Date: 12/11/2012 Amount Due: $897,450.53 Interest Rate: 11.00 % Name And Address of Judgment Creditor (Plaintiff) |
Name And Address of Judgment Debtor(s) (Defendant(s)) ESTATE WINE GROUP, INC. 12070 RACE TRACK ROAD TAMPA, FL 33626 Document Number: P02000125981 FEI Number: 760732313 CORK & OLIVE PROBST , MICHAEL |
| Document Number J08000128752 Status ACTIVE Case Number 1000000076155 Name of Court 018533 000623 File Date 04/16/2008 Date of Entry 03/28/2008 Expiration Date 04/16/2028 Amount Due $ 11,226.56 Name And Address of Judgment Creditor (Plaintiff) |
Name And Address of Judgment Debtor(s) (Defendant(s)) CORK & OLIVE FRANCHISE CORP 12070 RACE TRACK RD TAMPA, FL 336263109 US Document Number: P05000074613 FEI Number: 562515419 |
BELLWETHER PROPERTIES OF FLORIDA L P V. ESTATE WINE GROUP INC
Def PROBST MICHAEL Uniform Case: 522007CA006254XXCICI Pinellas Case: 07006254CI
Case Type: DELIN TENANT Filing Date: 07/02/07 Judgement date: 09/06/07
PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS INC v. ESTATE WINE GROUP INC
Case Type: DELIN TENANT Filing Date: 10/29/07
NORTHWOOD PLAZA LLC v. ESTATE WINE GROUP INC
Case Type: DELIN TENANT Filing Date: 06/12/08
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
“Why isn’t the FTC stepping in and finding out why he was able to sell to innocent people when he knew the company was going under?”
I wonder if that same question could be asked of a lot of franchises that are being sold as a proven model?
Companies that are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars a year-Dream Dinners comes to immediate mind… http://www.mealsassemblywatch.com reports DD LOST over $600,000 dollars last year.
Other companies see franchisees stores close at a greater rate than openings, HQ staff cuts, franchisee services cut to non exsistent and yet the GOV doesn’t step in to at least investigate why these folks are continued to be allowed to sell Franchises and advertising on websites bogus “units opened” numbers.
If I were a reputable franchisor I would be as mad as hell that that ner-do-wells were ruining the reputation of the Franchise concept.
K
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If I were a reputable franchisor I would be as mad as hell that that ner-do-wells were ruining the reputation of the Franchise concept.
That’s a great point, Kelly. I think it will take pressure from legitimate franchisors to put the screws to these fly-by-night concepts that are hurting the industry – and stealing legitimate franchise prospects from legitimate companies.
The FTC is supposed to regulate franchiser, what happened? Probst came to America and opened many stores with other peoples money. Every corp. store had a note with a high interest rate. He never would give any potential franchisee any books or records on the stores. When the notes came due and the stores weren’t making any money he tried to sell them to franchisees. Wish the franchisees would get together and demand to see his books and records. See how much corp. money he used to pay for his house, cars (Cadillac, wife’s Mercedes) , expensive dinners($3-400.00) trying to impress people to give him more money. I heard he even borrowed from his employees. Unbelievable that this type of predator is allowed to walk free….
Who and where is the CEO Tom Ronzino? He is listed as the CEO and in newspaper articles but nothing else is mentioned? What happened? Did Probst fire him and the V.P. Stephanie Nelson. It just doesn’t add up.
yes – tom was fired last october. he is in litigation with probst as we speak for breach of contract.
as it stands, stephanie nelson and michael probst are the remaing two employees and are “moving” inventory around. they have been collecting the franchise fees and their management of funds and their whereabouts are questionable. probsts longtime business associate, rainer appold is approaching each franchisee as if he is going to save the company. lying to each as he progresses through the chain.
for the record, there has been no official statement from the company to the franchisees.
Where is the former CEO of franchising? Michael took his money too. How many others are there? Stephanie Nelson is listed on almost all the documents & lisc. is she going to take the fall?
Suprised their Beverage License wasn’t revoked.
https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.aspmode=2&search=Name&SID=&brd=&typ=
2005050889 Criminal Activity 08/24/2005 Inv. Complete Official Notice 10/05/2005
2005050877 Criminal Activity 08/24/2005 Inv. Complete – Unfounded 10/11/2005
2006067024 Criminal Activity 12/05/2006 Inv. Complete – Unfounded
12/18/2006
2005050880 Criminal Activity 08/24/2005 Inv. Complete -Official Notice 10/05/2005
2005050858 Criminal Activity 08/24/2005 Inv. Complete – No Action Compliance 01/04/2006
2005050884 Criminal Activity 08/24/2005 Inv. Complete – No Action Compliance 11/29/2005
2007060498 Criminal Activity 10/24/2007 Inv. Complete – No Action Compliance 11/05/2007
2007058373 Criminal Activity 10/23/2007 Inv. Complete – No Action Compliance 10/24/2007
2006066999 Criminal Activity 12/05/2006 Inv. Complete – No Action Unfounded 12/21/2006
2006066996 Criminal Activity 12/05/2006 Inv. Complete – No Action Compliance 12/18/2006
2007059735 Criminal Activity 10/01/2007 Inv. Complete – No Action Compliance 10/31/2007
2006067023 Criminal Activity 12/05/2006 Inv. Complete – No Action No Further Action Required 06/12/2007
Criminal activity… surprise, surprise!
I don’t understand why the franchisees are paying fees if wine isn’t coming in. What will the company do… sue them? haha
This is listed on Orlando Business Journal
Cork & Olive Executives
Tom Ronzino [CEO]
Jay Dunn [President] What happened????
Stephanie Nelson [Vice President]
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Oh it is so clear. Probst will go bankrupt, not pay anyone that he owes and then open up under another name. Great country we live in. Crooks get to come to this country steal from its citizens and then go bankrupt. I’ve heard it said, “If too many people give me trouble I will just go home. I am only here on an E-2 visa”. Okay so the bankruptcy law will shelter Probsts from litigation, so now people go after him criminally. Nothing will protect him in that court.
So now I read Probst is going to re-open 4 stores. WHAT? Bankrupt and you get to re-open your stores and make money.
Wanda..I’m so curious to know how the heck you know sooo much about Michael Probst and this company. I, too, as a former employee, know quite a bit about the company but haven’t posted any details….YET. Be assured that when I do it will not be a pretty sight…wish we could get together to swap some stories!! I look forward to your posts…keep ’em coming!
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I cannot believe wanda knows sooo much! and is soooo accurate. I am also another former employee but have been bent over tooo many times and have never smiled in the process, but hopefully I will be able to smile soon because the idiot probst will get what is coming to him. and i hope his sidekick stephanie nelson will to but oh wait… isnt she going on an extended vacation???? how interesting – company paid? wouldnt doubt it. but wait and then there is michael’s other sidekick who sells the franchise locations and lies just as much to get them sold so she can get her comission. keeps getting more and more interesting doesnt it? BUT HEY ARE THE EMPLOYEES GONNA GET THEIR FINAL CHECK???????? how can they when the two ‘decision makers’ are either having an expensive dinner and the other one is on vacation for over a month… how convenient!!!!!!! GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!! LOL
Oh come on people, Probst is good at this he did it in Germany, which is why he came over here……
Stephanie is moving to California to get married, so the story goes. Unfortunately, this story will probably end with her taking the fall for Michael. Michael will no doubt go back to Germany, he will never be extradited for his crimes here – so that leaves Stephanie guilty of blind loyalty and left with the smoking gun.
Its too bad she will pay the price for him, but you get what you play for.
Michael is telling everyone he is going to re-open the Wesley Chapel, Brandon & Oldsmar stores.
He is stocking on up on supplies and not allowing the franchisees he’s screwed to access these items. (there are two weaker operators that are dealing with him, but no significant quantities)
Wonder if he plans on calling these stores “Crook & Olive”?
The highlight is that authorities from several state and federal agencies are looking into the crimes. Michael, Stephanie, Rainer, and others will finally get the scrutiny they deserve.
Wonder if he plans on calling these stores “Crook & Olive”?
Or “Croak & Olive”
hey ADMIN…. would you say this is one of the more interesting stories along with the enormous amount comments/responses youve received on one company after their demise? rather curious… cuz it’s blowing me away! LOL and the amazing thing is,,,, its almost all TRUE !
The locksmith came first and Stephanie followed. Customers were asked to leave because air wasn’t working.(2pm) . We were closing for the day. I didn’t even get the respect to be told the truth.Final paycheck?? Personal belongings still in store. No one will return phone calls. Respect and loyalty is a forgone conclusion.
hey ADMIN…. would you say this is one of the more interesting stories along with the enormous amount comments/responses youve received on one company after their demise?
This is definitely an interesting – and sad – story. What’s unique is how soon after the stores opened Probst imploded. Especially with $60K franchise fees – easily 2X the average – even new franchisors can keep operating as long as they’re selling and opening locations. He must have dug himself in deep early on to do this.
Unfortunately, there are lots of elements that aren’t that uncommon, such as:
– The media ignores or downplays the negative impact and culpability of the franchisor, so the public stays unaware of the risks associated with irreputable or unstable franchisors.
– The media reports obviously spun accounts of the reason for failure. In this case, the account that the investors suddenly demanded controlling interest. Who would hand over $3M to a new company without some control?
– The franchisor will find some way to blame the franchisees, or at least imply it
– The hardcore egocentric founder won’t even hide out or acknowledge that he’s caused hardship or is to blame in any way. In this case, Probst will hang in and reopen stores if he can get away with it. Normal people would change their names and go hide out in the Everglades.
hiding out in the Everglades… great idea… but… the gators would probably spit him out too.
Listen this has been going on since the inception of his grand idea. if you only knew all the details, which are slowly being revealed-there were so many previous employees that passed through the doors both retail side and corporate side and they all have there stories and they should all have there chance to tell their stores so everyone would truly know how horrible and slimy this man truely was and his sidekick too. she is just as guilty but pretends as though she really cared for the employees which is a bunch of BS and all who knows her knows shes just as stupid maybe she should back to germany with him and startup another wino biz there!
Hmmmm….he would only go to the Everglades if there was a Starbucks nearby.
If my memory serves me, that was his mothership, where many corporate meetings were held. How professional is that?
Meetings at Starbucks? Self service, of course. That way he never had to pick up the check.
LOL.. I never thought about that! I always just thought he was fantasizing about C&O would be become a similar store and maybe the longer he sat at one,… by osmosis- it would. Probst was an arrogant jerk with a very foul mouth when I worked there, very rude and unappreciative of the hard workers especially on the front line…. the stores promoting his product.
Wow, so many people know the true Probst. Everyone who knew him were so afraid to talk. Many times I wondered how he was able to get away with so much. He like his predecessors before him in 40’s Germany knew how to keep secrets……
By the way, the Hedge Fund from NY. total bull, there wasn’t any fund. He had been spinning that tail for a few years. He was always one step away from getting new money in. He would never talk to several people at a time always a separate and swindle deal. That is his MO. Take everyone to Starbucks so he wouldn’t let anyone hear what he was saying. And the people at the coffee shops all knew him and catered to him because every coffee they brought him he left 1 dollar in the tip jar. What a man.
Did anyone ever wonder why the co. went through so many CPA’s? No one would stay long. They didn’t like keeping at least 2 sets of books, afraid they may loose their lic.
The CPA was run into the ground while I was there. Fortunatley I worked there only a short time. There was so much money wasted on non-productive events and items even in the short time that I was there.
I think at one point or another every employee knew this day would come. I moved out of the area shortly after I left. When i recently visisted I couldnt believe they were still putting up more stores. It will be very interesting to see how this all pans out.
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Citrus Park Venture judgement is because Probst took build out money for the mall and used it for himself and never built the store. He was trying to do that in Ocala as well. Don’t know if he got away with that one. Also in Orlando there is a store on 434/Bear Lake that says Cork and Olive- no store.
Wanda, regarding Citrus Park venture…. the store was actually built, ready to move in, BUT the company ran out of money, cuz it was being put into Probsts pockets for his and nelson’s dinners, trips and entertaining purposes in order to try to steal more money. But it was ready to move in they just ran out of money.
word has it probst is going to open stores later this week???? SAY WHUT? please anyone who knows about this we need to know which store to alert the authorities! or better yet the SEC or the IRS! how can this man reopen so soon after filing chapter 11 and firing all his people??! AND who will be working this store? you cant tell me some of his old staff would be stupid enough to help him yet again now come on!!!
they aren’t opening stores. this is the story from the first week they closed up. this is just another way for this con to keep the story going. first is was monday, then friday now next week. they aren’t opening any stores. he did pay $600. dollars to the IRS in back taxes from what the public record shows.
Regarding the Citrus Park Location..yup, that store was totally built out and ready to go..but then Michael decided to stiff Gerardi Construction and Pioneer Flooring owing them more than $300,000. Gerardi was finally going to have their day in court (hearing scheduled for 7/17/08) but Michael filed Chapt. 11…once again he gets away by the skin of his nicotine s-ained teeth.
correction..nicotine-stained teeth!
in case anyone is curious check out
http://www.hillsclerk.com pinellas county courts websites. plenty of public knowledge for your reading pleasure. remember all four searches: estate wine group, cork and olive, cork and olive franchise and michael probst. you shouldn’t be amazed as to how much info you will come across and how many suits are and have been pending!
only at cork and olive…………… you can’t make up crap like this!!!
If it was built out then why is the lawsuit for so much more than the $300,000. ?
He tried to get TI money from Ocala, anyone know if that happened?
Why would he reopen stores? And who would be dumb enough to work for him again? Pipe dream of his. His sidekick has left his side or so I have read and she is in CA. Maybe Arnold needs toys for Maria? Who will help him spin his web? Ms. D is still around. Maybe she will become his new and improved…. VP. Wonder how much her husband will have to pay for that?
Wanda, as a matter of public record, Citrus Park sued and won for the unpaid lease Michael signed for that location for nearly $900,000; Gerardi and Pioneer are owed over $300,000 for the work they did for the build out…there are sooo many lawsuits out there it’s not funny. Check out public records and official records at http://www.Hillsclerk.com as well as http://pubtitlet.co.pinellas.fl.us/mainmenux.jsp You can even view the documents in .pdf format.
When you get to hillsclerk.com go to ‘Online Services’ then ‘Online Searches’. From there you can search both ‘Official” and ‘Court’ records….
So, this is what Ms. N did in her spare time – until Mr. P found out! Check out http://www.bunnieluv.net
There we were at a party, eight professional business women who, after partaking of wine, became eight giddy girls involved in a conversation about relationships, men and sex. The focus of our chat soon shifted to our favorite television series and one particular episode revolving around a popular adult toy…
So, this is what Ms. N did in her spare time – until Mr. P found out! Check out http://www.bunnieluv.net
I assume Julia Leberth and Stephanie Nelson were 2 of the infamous BunnieLuv 8.
Bunnieluv’s phone # is (813) 814-9171, which is also the phone number for Pilot Marketing & Event Plnnng (1700 Hibiscus Cir S, Oldsmar, FL 34677, Phone : (813) 814-9171) and is also listed for Leberth, Julia Oldsmar, FL 34677.
Julia Leberth was the ad and editorial director for the Oldsmar Chamber of commerce and was an advisory board member on the Oldsmar City Council until they booted her for “non-attendance.”
I think these ladies watched Sex and the City one too many times.
Mr. P probably did Ms. N a favor… he killed bunnieluv before Playboy’s lawyers would have a chance to sue her for trademark infringement.
Gee..isn’t it a conflict of interest that Ms. Augenti also has a license to sell wine under Universal Wine?
License Type: Salesperson Wine & Spirits
Name: AUGENTI, DEBORAH KAREN
Name Type: Primary
License Number/Rank: LQS10150
Status/Expires: LQS Current
Main Address*: UNIVERSAL WINE CORPORATION OLDSMAR, FL 34677
augenti has a license to sell wine & spirits? WTF IS GOING ON NOW???
Someone should investigate this as well!!!
Hmmm. So is Augenti a distributor? I will have to check out the lic. But I have copies from the C&O web site (several months ago) she is listed as the franchise sales person. So that would also then tie Probst in with Universal wine. If more people would start talking they can nail this AH. The whole lot in handcuffs. It certainly would put a smile on my face.
Wanda: Don’t you think it would be quite illegal for the owner of, say, a wine distribution company to own shares of stock in Estate Wine Group in exchange for, let’s say a loan in excess of $400k??
hmm, YES! It would be illegal. Do tell more…
I heard Probst say he would never have that woman (referring to Augenti as a partner). He said she was stupid. I imagine her husband’s money made her smarter. Hope she likes stripes. She might be the first to go!