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
07011013CI
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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!
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!