Acting Allied Brands (ABQ) CEO Sean Corbin has continued the tradition of lying and deceit today in the company's announcement to the share market about the loss of the Baskin Robbins brand.In the statement from the company, they claimthat although Dunkin Brands has issued a letter outlining a breach of their agreement they refused to list what parts of the agreement are in breach. A plan clearly designed to softpedal the breach, and continue misleading the sharemarket and investors. The fact is the brand has been so completely mismanaged for so many years, this action by Dunkin was completely inevitable and predicted here and elsewhere for a long time. Koreans, Indians, Chinese and other migrants sold known dud locations with visas, dozens of failed shops with huge losses to mom-and-pop Australian battlers, and a revolving door of management are just some of the known complaints. No one's made money but insiders.
Corbin says that ABQ will "fight the threat to terminate", but how stupid is this? Are solicitors and barristers in the USA (or Australia) working for fairy floss now? And what kind of lender is going to advance funds to ABQ for a court battle with a billion dollar US multinational?
It's noted that NO ONE has signed the actual statement released to the market. Perhaps no one wants the criminal liability that comes with releasing false information to the market.
This litigation on top of at least three ex-employee lawsuits, one of them alleging sexual harassment against Baskin Robbins managers. At least two ex-franchisee suits on foot. And others threatened. This is no longer a viable franchise management company, it's a solicitor's dream job!
Seems all the faceless men behind the scenes are still only concerned about getting their bad investments back.
Meanwhile, Baskin Robbins franchisees report the brand is only "15 Flavours" now in Australia - they've been missing so much ice cream for so long, they've decided just to change the name.
