Aussie Zor Takes American Award
Brad Sugars, who founded ActionCOACH in Brisbane Australia before expanding to the United States, is to receive a “Stevie” award as “Chairman of the Year.” Sugars is proud of being in some controversial company.
Sugars himself has been criticized by his franchisees, and Sugars issued a press release touting the “Stevie” awards by taunting critics: “I feel very proud considering I am up against the likes of the leaders of organizations such as AMERIGROUP and Nu Skin Enterprises.”
Amerigroup recently settled a $334 Million suit by paying the Federal government and the State of Illinois the amount of $225 Million plus legal fees. The suit had resulted in a jury verdict of fraud and additional penalties imposed by the judge as a result of fraud.
NuSkin is a high profile multi-level marketing (MLM) company based in Utah. The politically well-connected company has managed to stay in business despite a lengthy history of controversy including FTC investigations and former MLM participants posting details on internet sites.
Formerly known as Action International, the franchisor’s ex-franchisees have charged that the company changed its name following bad publicity and litigation. Franchisees charged that even after going out of business, the franchisor pursued them for monthly royalty payments that the franchisor “lost” when the franchisees were no longer in business. Others have alleged that Sugars pursues those who criticize him on internet sites.
The “Stevie” awards are funded by fees charged to entrants and to “sponsors” of the awards, plus tickets to the awards dinner. Ironically, 2 of the sponsors are John Hancock Mutual Funds and LifeLock, an identity theft company.
Some of Brad Sugars’ franchisees would suggest that those concerned with providing for retirement might do well to avoid buying a Sugars franchise. As for identity theft, following the model of Action International, victims could always just change their name and stay one step ahead of the bad reputation.
- Franchise topic:
Alot of people are still waiting for monies owing. Marinos left Australia recently and I have heard he will not be returning any time soon. Time to turn up the blow torch on the rest of his family!!
Terminating Marinos is a good thing isn't it? But what is the exchange?
Brad Sugars is a piece of dirt and the Peter Foster of Australian franchising ... some things are better dealt with at home ..
Simon writes: "This guy is exactly the sort of scumbag that needs to be out of franchising."
Simon, we need to see some references here, some court cases, and some commentary.
For example, when we discuss Jim Amos, there are number of references to his litigation battles, statements from failed franchisees, etc. People can use this information as they wish.
But just calling someone a scumbag, especially when true, is not helpful.
Michael Webster, a franchisee attorney in Toronto, Ontario, publishes a website on business opportunities and franchises called "The BizOp News"
Michael Webster, a franchisee attorney in Toronto, Ontario, publishes a website on business opportunities and franchises called "The BizOp News"
Thanks Simon.
I will look at the Caleasi filings and see if the US experience demonstrates the average length of a franchisee.
Michael Webster, a franchisee attorney in Toronto, Ontario, publishes a website on business opportunities and franchises called "The BizOp News"
Michael Webster, a franchisee attorney in Toronto, Ontario, publishes a website on business opportunities and franchises called "The BizOp News"
Michael, you will find that the commentary and references are within the links and the thread of links in Lionel's blog.
It is my understanding that this scumbag managed to keep himself out of Court records. They don't record unless there is a finding and Sugars managed to drag out attempts at litigation against Action until franchisees either ran out of money or there were out of court settlements [take-it-or-leave-it pennies] with confidentiality under threat of the treament and final outcome of those who didn't concede and then ran out of money.
It is a scumbag art form and one we are all aware of.
is no public record of the particulars of disputes. I share Michael's hunger for specifics before rushing to any judgments.
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Richard Solomon, FranchiseRemedies.com, has over 45 years experience with franchise litigation and crisis management. He is a graduate of The Citadel and The University of Michigan Law School
Richard Solomon, FranchiseRemedies.com, has over 45 years experience with franchise litigation and crisis management. He is a graduate of The Citadel and The University of Michigan Law School
Ray, I looked at these links and again these stories have no hard evidence. If you want to state a fact, with reference to a court action, do so.
But, just calling someone a "scumbag" with a set of misleading links doesn't make your point.
Simon, of all people, should know this.
Michael Webster, a franchisee attorney in Toronto, Ontario, publishes a website on business opportunities and franchises called "The BizOp News"
Michael Webster, a franchisee attorney in Toronto, Ontario, publishes a website on business opportunities and franchises called "The BizOp News"
I appreciate your position on this Michael and substantiating links are preferred.
However I have a problem with simply walking away from a scumbag because he plays the scam franchising game too well and avoids public scrutiny of litigation. One call yesterday led to enough direct anecdotal evidence to suggest that Action had one successful Australian franchisee. One!
When I asked a lawyer about Brad Sugars he advised that professional standards and ethics did not allow him to go into specifics and preferred to respond generally about scam franchising industry practices. In not mentioning him do we not offer him a free pass to scam people into believing that One success represents a majority. ONE success in Australia - how many failures in the US?!!
Conman of the Year [or at least a bronze]
Brad Sugars, Chairman, ActionCOACH, Las Vegas, NV
Thank you Lionel; people just need to follow your various links and they get enough information to ABSOLUTLEY KNOW to steer clear of this bottom-feeder.
Being from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia I would like to apologize to the US and anywhere else this piece of poo turns up. Inferior genes happen ... he might be the product of a damaging religious experience or he may simply have been accidentally dropped at birth.
What I would really like to understand is how we view the rest of those that were nominated and won awards. The American Business Awards? From an Australian perspective it does sound quite prestigious but it really doesn't say much for anyone on the list when BRAD SUGARS is a winner does it?
Les Stewart MBA FranchiseFool :: WikidFranchise
an AAFD award.
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Richard Solomon, FranchiseRemedies.com, has over 45 years experience with franchise litigation and crisis management. He is a graduate of The Citadel and The University of Michigan Law School
Richard Solomon, FranchiseRemedies.com, has over 45 years experience with franchise litigation and crisis management. He is a graduate of The Citadel and The University of Michigan Law School
Alicia, that was Richard being sarcastic and off topic.
Paul Steinberg
Franchisee Attorney, New York City, Ph: 212-529-5400
Paul Steinberg, Franchisee Attorney, New York City, Ph: 212-529-5400
I am told that he is on the short list.
Michael Webster, a franchisee attorney in Toronto, Ontario, publishes a website on business opportunities and franchises called "The BizOp News"
Michael Webster, a franchisee attorney in Toronto, Ontario, publishes a website on business opportunities and franchises called "The BizOp News"
Peter Foster managed to scam people everywhere for a time. I do believe he is in goal.
Bradley; I've been informed you were chased out of Aus when too many made it clear they wanted you mounted. So where to next?
Can't speak to the other nations mentioned.
But the Entrepreneur rankings (which are not "awards") are not exactly predictors of success. Most famously, the example of Quizno's should be a cautionary tale to anyone relying on Entrepreneur rankings. While the magazine may have some worthwhile advice on occasion, the rankings are best ignored in making a purchase decision.
About the only "ranking" that I would put any stock in is a franchisee satisfaction survey. And where the franchisor has a reputation (accurate or not) for taking action against critics, any survey would be suspect.
Paul Steinberg
Franchisee Attorney, New York City, Ph: 212-529-5400
Paul Steinberg, Franchisee Attorney, New York City, Ph: 212-529-5400