Be Careful When Dealing With Mark and Jan plus Cafe2go South Africa

I bought a franchise from Cafe2go South Africa on 03/10/2019. The franchise is a café located at Century city, Cape town in the Western cape, the directors of the franchise are Adv. Jan Grobler and Mark Du Plessis. During the purchase process I was in contact with Mark. He told me about the place.

I loved the place from the word go and its location. I was eager to learn about the hospitality industry and grow my knowledge. The café was going to be me and my family source of income. I bought the place on the 3rd of October 2019. I started trading on the 18th of October 2019.

Mark sends me a disclosure document which clearly stipulated what I stand to receive when prospective franchisee buys a franchise. I was happy and satisfied that I will receive my own equipment. However, that was not the case, all equipment listed on the disclosure document I did not receive any and I did not receive stock to start trading. The stock was supposed to be bought on a Monday since I started on a Friday. However, nothing was bought I had to buy stock out of my own pocket whereas I was promised to receive stock.

When it comes to the training, I was supposed to be given I never received it instead there give me a former employee of the café to give me training and I was supposed to pay him R 9000, on the disclosure document it stated that training is given at sum of R 10 000 when you buy the franchise, and the money is included in the purchase price. Some equipment was supposed to be paid by the franchisor to ciro however none of that was done and ciro had to constantly threaten to come take their equipment which I personally end up renting from ciro myself.

Now coming to the centre, I operate at there is always complaints coming from customers which is never supported with evidence and the complaints has been going on for some time however they all go o the franchisor and he will come and make threats that he will take his café however when I ask for evidence on all complaints nothing is given nor shown to me.

Recently the franchisor has cancelled the franchise agreement however we did not sign anything, and he told me to leave the café which I did because he asked for my cooperation and have given him that however I think his taking advantage of my situation that I do not have money to fight him in court and exploits me, I stand to be correct.

I do not understand why they would tell me to leave the place without the franchise agreement been nullified. They also took some of my equipment which they tell me that is because of outstanding royalties.

This people here don't want franchisees they want to take people's money and run away with it. Be careful when you deal with them. Jan is a lawyer so he knows very well how to crook people. They good at threatening with legal proceedings.

When you buy a franchise expect nothing from them. They disclosure document is there to attract prospective franchisees only.

I wish people of South Africa can know what crooks this two people are. They don't have hearts, They are nice people when you firstly meet them. However after you pay them they will come with all sorts of baseless accusations from the landlord, customers and even not support regarding the complaints.