Hurricane Grill & Wings Franchisees file lawsuit against franchisor for deceptive practices and earnings claims

Dear fellow Hurricane Grill & Wings Franchisees,

Have you been mislead by Hurricane Grill & Wings? When you first met with Hurricane Grill & Wings were you given earnings claims like I was? (I will go into detail further) Did they make you believe that you would make money and that your restaurant would be doing more in sales? Did they tell you that you could build your restaurant for less than $400K all in? Did you? Did you ever ask yourself why we all were taken to the one and only validator in the brand? (Jeff Arrogoni) What numbers did Jeff quote you?

Now that you are in the brand you know them not to be true.

Did they talk to you about all the systems they were supposed to have in place to help you be successful? Did they disclose to you the financial problems ($2 million in debt and unpaid bills to vendors, that they can't pay?) Did they tell you they were going to open 30+ stores this year? (I only know of 5) Have you asked yourself what has happened to all the staff?

The past two Presidents leave the company (both being the only bright spots in this very dishonest group). What happened to this new President? He just didn't show back up after 3 days of being the new boss.

Did they tell you that 3 of the affiliate stores don't contribute 3% to the Marketing Fund or pay the 6% royalty as stated in our UFOC? Have you asked for an accounting of the Marketing Fund? Did you know they pay payroll out of your 3% Marketing Fund? Have you ever tried to reach anybody at the corporate office to get answers? Have you seen Chris Russo in your store? Has Russo as our CEO offered anybody and olive branch as we all lose money? (Reduction or waiver in royalties, ad fund, refund additional franchise fees, ect.) Do you have to work your store everyday to reduce your losses?

My losses average about $12,000 a month if I don't work every shift in my store, even then I still am short $7000 a month.

What about food costs? Is your food cost 36% or higher? Were you told like me that it would be 33% or less? Did they tell you that they accept gifts from our food vendor Sysco? (Cruise given by Chris Russo to one of the corporate staff from sysco) Did you read that line in the UFOC that they do not do these types of things?

Have any of you heard or know who the group is that is buying Texas? I would like them to talk with us prior to making their purchase. I think it would only be fair to prevent them from making the same mistake all of us did.

If any of the following happened to you my attorney would like to talk with you. All meetings will be held over the next two weeks as we will be filing suit shortly thereafter.

• Were you ever given an earnings claim during your sales process? (any claim to the likely hood of success, volume, profitability, shown P&L's from existing stores, etc.)
• Were you told that you could build your store for less than $400K
• Were you sold by Mike Matakaetis or Steve Schwan
• Were you promised systems and tools to help you be successful
• Did they take you to Jeff Arrogoni for validation
• Were you told that they would be opening 30+ stores in the year that you signed
• Do you know for fact that you were mislead

THIS IS NOT WHAT WE WERE PROMISED! WE ARE GOING TO STOP THIS NOW!

Nations Restaurant News and Franchise Times have committed to print our story.

Please email me if you are interested in joining our Lawsuit. My attorney will first verify your identity and then set up an appointment to discuss the case with you. We have 4 franchise owners committed to date.