This official statement from Cuppy’s Coffee & More regarding the Java Jo’z controversy was posted in the comments section of a FranBest.Com post:
Category: NEWS
According to a recent wikipedia entry and in company correspondence, Cuppy’s Coffee & More emphatically states that it is a separate entity and not connected in any significant way (other than a shared logo) to Java Jo’z or the recently convicted Roy Snowden.
Confusion seems to be widespread, perhaps since Java Jo’z and Cuppy’s have the same corporate address, their domain names are registered to the same owner, they seem to have similar business concepts, some of the same corporate employees and they seem to share modified versions of the same logo. However, according to Cuppy’s, the only relationship presently existing between Java Jo’z and Cuppy’s Coffee & More is a mutual right to use a certain logo (visible at the Java Jo’z and Cuppy’s websites). According to a Cuppy’s spokesperson, Roy Snowden has no ownership, control or affiliation with them, and the widely publicized dispute between Ben Scoble and Java Jo’z does not involve them. According to Cuppy’s, they have never had a contractual relationship with Ben Scoble.
The guiding principle of FranBest.Com is to explore franchises and franchise opportunities with eyes wide open. FRANCHISE WATCH entries are not to say whether a given company or franchise is good or bad – or whether allegations or complaints about them are true or false. The goal of FRANCHISE WATCH is to alert you to opinions, news and complaints posted elsewhere, so that you may investigate fully and draw your own conclusions.
Java Jo’z (also affiliated with an entity called Emerald Coast Manufacturing) is a drive-thru coffee franchise run by a Florida man named Roy Snowden. There have been numerous disturbing allegations and complaints made about Roy Snowden, Java Jo’z and the other entities. Before investing, we strongly suggest you investigate thoroughly. Here are some links to information on Java Jo’z:
Franchise Pick: Overview of the Ben Scoble allegations against the Java Jo’z franchise.
Scobleizer.com: Prominent tech Blogger Robert Scoble claims his brother Ben Scoble was ripped off by Java Jo’z to the tune of $30,000.
Ben Scoble’s Blog: Scoble’s brother Ben has started his own blog documenting his alleged loss of a $30,000 downpayment for a franchise he didn’t open due to lack of suitable locations.
Rip-Off Report: Nearly identical story dated 1/27/05 by a Florida man named Steve who allegedly paid $20,000, which he could not get back after being unable to find a location.
EmeraldCoast.Com: Story dated 11/16/2006. “FWB Businessman Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion” Roy P. Snowden, owner of Java Jo’s drive-thru coffee businesses “pled guilty Monday in federal court to five counts of Evasion of Payment of Income Taxes and one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the Internal Revenue Service.”
FamousReviews.Com: Business review warning against dealing with Roy Snowden, the Java Jo’z franchise, or Emerald Coast Mfgr.
National Arbitration Forum: Arbitration ruling against Roy Snowden in domain & trademark dispute.
If you have any experience or information on the Java Jo’z franchise opportunity, feel free to leave a comment or email us at info [at] ideafarm [dot] net.
The mission of FranBest.com is to provide prospective franchisees – and established franchisees looking for additional concepts – with tips, guidance and resources to help them safely find the best franchise opportunities for them – and avoid the worst. Â
Our Franchise Watch posts are not intended to say a particular company or opportunity is good or bad… just to alert you to issues and controversies about particular franchises so that you can fully investigate and decide for yourself. Even if you are not considering these particular companies, it is useful to educate yourself on some of the controversies and disputes that arise between franchisors and franchises… so that you can better foresee and avoid the pitfalls in making your own franchise decisions.
Franchise Market Magazine has published its picks for the Top 100 New Franchises.
The Top 100 New Franchises listing included 19 new franchises nominated by FranBest.Com. The 19 are:
 I have contacted Rudy Harper via email to ask him for the conditions and terms of “conversion.” Will the alleged deposits of $20K-$30K be credited to those Java Jo’z who paid them to Java Jo’z. What form will the credits be in: waived franchise fees and future royalties? The alleged “victims” had been unable to find locations. Will Cuppy’s find them suitable locations for their businesses? I’ll update this post with the answers when/if received.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CUPPY’S STATEMENT AND OFFER? Leave a comment.
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