Minuteman Press International Inc Christopher Jutt unlawful conduct in Australia Farmingdale New York

Minuteman developed its brutal, oppressive and complex franchise system over a period of 40 years. Minuteman deceives and cheats prospective franchisees into buying into the franchise system.

 The Minuteman Franchise Agreement has a 35 year term. The agreement is generally extremely one-sided and unfair in favor of Minuteman whilst it is to the detriment of the franchisee. The franchisee cannot terminate the Agreement. The agreement is the backbone of the oppressive Minuteman franchise system. Once the Franchise Agreement has been signed, the franchisee is dominated, indoctrinated, suppressed and exploited by the dictatorial Minuteman.

Minuteman has a core team of well-trained representatives at its Head Office in Farmingdale, New York, USA. The team members are trained to ruthlessly protect the interests of Minuteman, mostly to the detriment and at the expense of the Minuteman franchisees.

Minuteman sends these well-trained representatives from its Head Office to market its franchise system to prospective franchisees in Australia. Whilst in Australia the representatives are also responsible to do support work in Minuteman franchise stores.

Christopher Jutt, the son of Minuteman’s Senior Executive Vice President, is a member of the well-trained Minuteman team.

Typically the Minuteman representatives enter Australia on “Short Stay” visas. Typically a “Short Stay” visa is for holiday purposes or for attending a conference in Australia and the visa holder must depart Australia within 3 months. Typically the “Short Stay” visa-holder may not work in Australia.

Christopher Jutt - unlawful conduct in Australia:

It appears that Christopher Jutt entered Australia in about July 2012 on a “Short Stay” visa. He worked in Australia at the Brisbane Franchise Exhibition where he marketed the Minuteman franchise system to prospective franchisees.

After the Franchise Exhibition Christopher Jutt remained in Australia, worked as a full time employee of Minuteman Press International Inc. He continued to market the Minuteman Franchise System to prospective new franchisees. In addition he was responsible to provide operational support to existing Minuteman franchisees, assisting the franchisees to improve their marketing and selling skills.

Apparently Christopher Jutt worked in Australia in breach of “Short Term Stay” Visa regulations.

Christopher Jutt departed Australia by end September 2012, before the expiry of the 3 month term of his “Short Stay” visa.

On 1 October 2012 Steven Cooper, of the Minuteman Head Office in New York, sent an email to all Minuteman franchisees in New South Wales and Queensland Australia, advising of the appointment of Christopher Jutt as Minuteman’s Area Manger for New South Wales and Queensland.

Christopher Jutt returned to Australia during October 2012, and immediately started to work in his new position as Area Manager for New South Wales and Queensland.

Christopher Jutt made application to the Australian Authorities for a class 457 visa which was sponsored by his employer, Minuteman Press International Inc. The visa was granted during December 2012 or January 2013. Christopher Jutt again departed Australia during December 2012, before the expiry of the 3 month period of his “Short Stay” visa.

It appears Christopher Jutt unlawfully continued with his work as the Minuteman Area Manager for New South Wales and Queensland whilst the Australian Government considered his application for a class 457 Visa. Christopher Jutt and Minuteman Press International Inc. apparently disregarded and breached Australian Immigration Laws and instead decided to unscrupulously serve their own selfish interests. The apparent unlawful conduct of Christopher Jutt was authorized and condoned by the President of Minuteman, Bob Titus, as well as by the Senior Vice President of Minuteman, Michael Jutt.

Christopher Jutt’s application for an Employer Sponsored 457 Visa was approved during December 2012 or early January 2013.

Many Minuteman franchisees are struggling in their loss-making businesses. These struggling franchisees want to sell their businesses and are desperate to get out of the brutal Minuteman franchise system.  Christopher Jutt is also responsible to find buyers for the struggling Minuteman stores. He is responsible to manage the transfer of the franchise business from the existing franchisee to the new franchisee. The transfer of the franchise store is a two-step process:

Firstly Christopher Jutt has to secure a new Franchise Agreement with the buyer of the failed franchise business. The new Franchise Agreement has a 35 year term. The brutal and one-sided agreement cannot be terminated by the franchisee.

Secondly Christopher Jutt is responsible to persuade the exiting franchisee to sign the brutal, oppressive and extremely one-sided Deed of Surrender and Release. Christopher Jutt engages in unlawful conduct whilst he intimidates, bullies and rushes the franchisee into signing the Deed. He denies the franchisee the opportunity to seek legal advice before signing the Deed. In addition the exiting franchisee has to pay the $25,850 transfer fee to Minuteman.

Christopher Jutt unlawfully intimidated, bullied and rushed at least 3 Australian franchisees into signing the brutal and one-sided Minuteman Deed of Surrender and Release. He behaved like a thug towards these franchisees.

In addition, Christopher Jutt sold 15 new Minuteman franchise stores to new franchisees during the past 2,5 years.

Christopher Jutt therefore entered into 18 new Franchise Agreements on behalf of Minuteman during the past 2,5 years, i.e. 15 agreements for new stores plus 3 agreements for transferring existing stores to new franchisees.

History has shown that more than 73% of the Minuteman franchisees failed in their franchise businesses in New South Wales and Queensland, during the 10 year period to December 2011. Eleven franchisees had to close their failed franchise businesses whilst a further 6 had to sell their loss making businesses.

The franchisees who failed in their franchise businesses made estimated losses of more than $4,500,000. Minuteman received an estimated $3,400,000 from these franchisees.

It therefore follows that more than 73% of the 18 new franchisees who were signed-up by Christopher Jutt, are likely to fail in their franchise stores, i.e. a further 13 franchisees are likely to fail. These franchisees are likely to make losses totaling more than $3,600.000. Minuteman is likely to receive more than $2,762,500 from these franchisees.