My involvement with this company dates back to December of 2005. Due to the lengthy site selection and approval process I believe I have more insight due to length of time than most victims.
First of all, Cuppy's claims to have nothing to do with Java Jo'z or Emerald Coast Manufacturing. In fact, I became a Java jo'z licensee based on the selling point that the company intended to become a franchise after achieving the goal of 250 liscensees. I would then be grandfathered in meaning I would never pay franchise fees. Furthermore when I sold the business in the future, the future owner would also be grandfathered in. Thus, assuming the franchise took off, I would get a better return on my investment. When I visited the headquarters, I met with George Speed Ames and Richard "Morg" Morgan. I was told that they came on board because Mr. Snowden (the convicted felon) needed their expertise to make the company grow.
These gentlemen were commited to making Java Jo'z succesful. When they franschised, they supposedly changed their name to avoid trademark violations when opening stores at new locations. It seems that due to Mr. Snowdens federal tax violations there may have been other, less starightforward motives.
Some of the attempts by this business entity to rebutt internet information/complaints have indicated that Mr. Morgan, Speed, Ben Doyle, and Mr. Hibbing, Danny Jones (the good ool' boy group) had nothing to do with Snowden's illegal activities when in fact they have all been there all along.
Changing the company name, the medina management formation, the insinuation that Elite manufacturing bought only the physical assets of Emerald coast are all very clever attempts to continue doing exactly what Snowden was doing, while ensuring that they would never have to refund a deposit.
When you sign a franchise agreement with this entity, you must buy the building or one of their approved configurations. Bt the way, they are also on their third builder (also all of the same people over and again). This could be a way to stall delivery (this was the case in my experience).
These guys are good at what they do.........theft and deception. I believe that sooner or later they will pay for their actions as do all thieves and parasites.
As an aside I have requested a refund of my deposit. I was told by Cuppy's to contact Elite, which told me to contact Emerald Coast. All of these businesses are comprised of the same people, albeit with different title from company to company, in the same building at the same address.
Mike
Titusville, Florida
U.S.A.