Fast Food franchiseFOOD FRANCHISESFRANCHISE BROKERSIFPGNY BAGEL CAFENY Bagel ScamNYC BAGEL SCAMUncategorized

Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop: Newest Franchise Partner of the International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG)

The IFPG International Franchise Professionals Group is a “membership organization” of franchise brokers.  Recently, The IFPG announced that it was “proud to announce” that Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop is  its newest franchise partner.  Last week, Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop (aka the NY Bagel Scam) was ejected from the International Franchise Expo in New York by the show’s management and two Assistant Attorney Generals.  Are IFPG members still promoting the NY Bagel Scam?  Has the IFPG taken any steps to share UnhappyFranchisee.com’s  & NYBagelScam.com’s extensive reporting on the dangers of this fraudulent franchise offering with its members and their clients?

IFPG International Franchise Professionals Group(UnhappyFranchisee.Com) UPDATE:  The IFPG has announced that it has terminated the Franchise Partner status of  Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop.  Read the updated story here:

Davidovich NYC Bagel Ejected From International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG)

Franchise brokers bill themselves as “consultants” whose expert franchise guidance is free to franchise opportunity seekers and who are compensated by the supposedly legitimate franchisors who pay them commissions ($20K – $30K on average, some claim).

It would seem that diligent, professional advisors who truly care about the welfare of the individuals and families they are advising would regularly follow sites like UnhappyFranchisee.Com and BlueMauMau.org that contain hype-free, uncensored opinions and insights from actual franchise investors and owners.  These sites also provide critical insights into franchise closures, lawsuits and turnover rates that could help franchise advisors prevent their advisees from investing in a high-failure franchise or even an outright scam.

This type of ongoing research would seem especially important to a “membership organization” such as the International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG) who train franchise brokers and provide “franchise partners” one would assume would be screened and vetted.

IFPG is Proud to Announce its Newest Franchise Partner:  “Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop”

IFPG recently issued this internal announcement:

IFPG is proud to announce its newest franchise partner:  Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop

Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop is an iconic brand that has been featured on the Jon Stewart Show, Anrew Zimmerns Bizarre Foods America, ABC News and more with additional write-ups in the Wall St. Journal and Forbes Mazazine and this spring was the “official bagel of the Coachella Music festival selling over 1000 dozen bagels in less than 90 minutes.

The brand offers Fresh Baked NY Artisan Bagels that are made in NY and Baked Fresh in your location, in addition to the bagels we have delicious bakery products that include muffins, crumb cakes, cookies, croissants and full line of breakfast sandwiches to wash all that down you have your choice of coffee cappuccino or juices. for Lunch we offer a wide variety of sandwiches, wraps and paninis, including our NY favorites the Reuben on Rye and the Chicken Breast Panini.

Location size is between 1200 to 2000 sq ft.  All locations have a fun inviting vibe, like your [stet] stepping into NYC with our full length wall murals of times square, pictures of NYC Landmarks and subway signs.  Great Bagel.  Great Place.  Great Franchise.

IFPG Partner & IFE Neighbor is Ejected From the NY Franchise Expo for Fraudulent Franchise Documents

Davidovich NYC Bagel FranchiseIt now appears that IFPG’s newest franchise partner Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop is just the newest variation of the NY Bagel Scam which has been promoted in the past as NY Bagel Cafe & Deli and NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop.

Run by Joe Smith, Dennis Mason & new addition Davidovich’s Marc Fintz, Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop is, in essence, a Craig’s List-based franchise fee collection scheme.  90% of those who pay a fee never open a bagel shop not get their fee refunded.  More than 90% of the few who managed to open failed within a few months to a few years.

Smith & Mason’s deceptive sales tactics and violations of franchise disclosure laws have been documented in state enforcement actions issued by Maryland, Virginia and Washington.

They’re many franchise failures have been documented by Unhappy Franchisee:

When International Franchise Expo (IFE) head Tom Portesy was alerted to exhibitor Davidovich NYC Bagel’s misrepresentations, he determined, with investigative direction from Assistant District Attorneys from New York and Maryland (who were speakers at the show), IFG Partner and Expo neighbor Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop was ejected from the show.

Read about it here:

NYC Davidovich Bagel Ejected From International Franchise Expo (IFE)

Questions for IFPG Leadership & Members

  • What is the criteria for becoming a “Franchise Partner” of the IFPG?
  • What is the review & screening process?
  • Is any independent research done or do you rely solely on the franchisor’s representations?
  • Who makes the final decision as to whether a franchisor is eligible to become an IFPG “Franchise Partner”
  • Has the IFPG leadership or its members read any of the 50+ posts on UF regarding the NY Bagel Scam over the past 6 years, such as…?

NYC Bagel Franchise Scam Overview

NY BAGEL CAFÉ Franchise: How Many Have Closed? [UPDATED]

NY BAGEL CAFÉ Franchise Graveyard

NYC Davidovich Bagel Franchise Posts

MARC ZIROGIANNIS Complaints

DAVIDOVICH BAKERY: Part of the NYC Bagel Scam?

  • Has the IFPG leadership or its members read any of the posts on the NY Bagel Scam website?
  • Did no one run across this article on BlueMauMau.org:  NYC Bagel Scam Reveals Franchising’s Dark & Dangerous Secret ?
  • Did you see the enforcement order issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia?
  • Did you see the enforcement order issued by the state of Maryland?
  • Did you see the enforcement order issued by the state of Washington?
  • Did you review a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop?
  • Did you check to see if the franchisor was registered in the home state of Davidovich Bakery, New York?
  • Now that you watched them get ejected from the International Franchise Expo (IFE) for improper disclosure, will you be continuing your partnership with and promoting the Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop franchise opportunity?
  • Have you alerted your 800 members about the controversy and sent them these links?
  • Will the Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop controversy, including you acceptance of a long-time fee-collection scam as a “franchise partner,” inspire you to rethink and/or improve your franchise vetting process?
  • Did ANY of your 800 franchise consultant experts voice concern when you proudly announced your partnership with the NYC Davidovich Bagel & Sandwich Shop franchise?

INVITATION TO IFPG LEADERSHIP & MEMBERS:  It is our opinion that the IFPG partnership with a known and proven scam artist does a disservice to legitimate franchisors (including IFPG franchise partners), your members, and especially to the franchise buyers who rely on IFPG brokers for trustworthy guidance.   However, we are open to alternative viewpoints and interpretations.  We invite & welcome explanations, clarifications, rebuttals, and opinions both from IFPG leadership, staff, members and franchise partners. 

We are especially interested in hearing which brokers and groups are willing to commit to spreading the word about the risks associated with the Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop and its variations.

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE NY BAGEL, NYC BAGEL OR DAVIDIVICH BAGEL SCAM? HAVE YOU DEALT WITH DENNIS MASON, JOE SMITH OR MARC FINTZ (OR MARC ZIROGIANNIS)?   SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

Contact UnhappyFranchisee.com




TAGS: IFPG, International Franchise Professionals Group, Don Daszkowski, Red Boswell,  Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop, Davidovich bakery, Davidovich Bagels, Davidovich franchise, NY Bagel Cafe, NYC Bagel franchise, Joe Smith, Dennis Mason, Marc Fintz, Marc Zirogiannis

37 thoughts on “Davidovich NYC Bagel & Sandwich Shop: Newest Franchise Partner of the International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG)

  • I’m looking forward to hearing answers to all of these questions.

    A simple online search would have disclosed an enormous amount of issues with this franchise. It isn’t even about “due diligence” it is about doing a very simple online search or reading industry sites like this one.

    Imagine suggesting to someone that they buy a franchise with no concern about what Google has to say about them? Dangerous.

  • Brett Kogel

    This story doesn’t surprise me one bit. Lots of chest puffing and slight of hand moves. Watch them spin and blame everyone else for IFPG partnering with NY Bagel.

    They’ll be the victims even though Blue Mau Mau and UnhappyFranchisees have been reporting about NY Bagel for years. Years. Don’t they read important sites like these about these issues?

    A franchise that I work with attended the IFPG “getaway”.

    They found out they they paid about 30% more than other franchisors and a 50% less than the neighboring franchisor at the event.

    Pricing was so negotiable that it really was bad.

    The “brokers” that they produced had to given free access and some got their hotel rooms paid for. They were just there for a vacation and for after hours “fun”. That behavior was rampant and I felt gross for going.

    Not surprised by this and I can’t wait until they respond about their membership requirements.

  • Where are the IFPG answers to all of these questions? Do they need a lawyer to respond? What are they hiding?

  • How many of these failed and failing franchises does the international franchise professional group- franserve-and franchise broker association represent? Why are these questions not being answered?

  • IFPG should be looked into. They appear to be trading off of the IFA logo, look, feel and there are many people who have given them money thinking that they were part of the IFA, which they are not. But they sure want people with credit cards to think so.

    They will say anything, spin anything, and use smoke and mirrors to get you on board. And once you are, they deliberately out you and use you to start recruiting their next paying “member”. IFA are you going to allow this? You used to mean something, now Dan Prechtel disciples are trading on your logo.

    Maybe their lawyer will scare the IFA is shutting up too?

  • Clarence

    Both the Griffs and 18-8 brands are heavily promoted by the IFPG group. Obviously not vetted. Why hasnt the IFPG group responded to the question about vetting and what research if any have the done on griffs or 18-8 hair cutter shops?

  • Carlton

    Yes, where is the response to these very pressing questions? 18-8 and NY Bagel? 2 great brands for them to earn off of.

    They had their in-house lawyer respond to try to show that they were the victims (as predicted) and yet they are silent about all of these very important questions?

    Also, I too thought that the IFPG was an extension of the IFA. Who wouldn’t based on how they are presenting themselves?

    Red, don’t play the Jesus card anymore, because you’re clearly not in his camp! Don’t praise Jesus and be part of all of this.

  • Clarence

    Pretty obvious that they believe it ends by not saying another word. That isnt the case as others find out how this money making scheme is without concern for possible franchisees as they lose their investments to some scrupulous franchises that are never verified or vetted in any way.

  • Yes, when are we going to get answers about the stringent vetting methods used by the IFPG?

    They answered so quickly when they had something to loose, but yet complete silence now. 18-8, Cuppies, Dick’s Barbecue–I believe all “Members” of the IFA/IFPG. They were so proud of NY Bagels that they set up shop next to them at the IFA/IFPG show in NYC? Was it for the free bagels or to help their newest member?

    Why haven’t they answered these very basic questions or the questions posed about how much they’ve earned off of these brands by helping to promote them. Where are the answers?

    They claim to have 800 “members”, so a lot of deals must be closing for these stellar brands. How much did they pocket by helping these “brands” grow? With 800 members they must have done some deals, no?

    I’m told that someone is compiling a list of all the “Proud to announce…” emails from IFPG to see what scams are in there–should be fun to see.

  • Clarence

    Likely wont be hearing from IFPG anytime soon. President Bozwell the chief excrement official and franchise life changing oracle is hiding. it looks like his boss Don is hiding as well. you wont see them man up because they have lots to hide. i too will look for that list if its being made.

  • Still waiting for answers to the simplest question of “What is the criteria for becoming a “Franchise Partner” of the IFPG?” SUCH A GREAT AND SIMPLE QUESTION. WHY NO ANSWER FROM ANYONE AT IFPG? They clearly respond quickly when it serves them, but not now for some reason. Why?

    This reminds me of another celebrated broker brand that they were so “proud of” Medici’s. 329 units sold and none opened!

    329 $45,000 franchise fees collected for a brand that had no primary store open to model after. That had to take some real marketing to get the brokers and the franchise community energized. Checks cashed and broke “Franchisees” forgotten about! How proud they must be!

    The brokerage world celebrated the free stuff given to them, money paid to them just to listen to the pitch, and this group pimped and pumped Medici up so that Medici would continue to be a happy “Member” Just like Dennis Mason and NY Bagel. 329 sold and none opened????? How much did these “associations” put in their pockets for helping? How many NY Bagel franchises did IFPG help promote at the show or through their brokers is another question that should be answered.

    How do you get into this elite group? With a credit card! The .Org status is quite confusing. Just like their logo is.

    Someone needs to dig deep to see what liability “associations” like this have in helping to promote brands like Cuppies, NY Bagel, Medici’s, etc. They are helping to create a problem and earning for doing so.

    Are any of these payments even being disclosed to the poor people? Do they know that there broker is getting paid and that these groups are also getting paid? And do they know that brokers only represent about 8% of all franchises? Something has to change here–people are getting harmed and so is franchising.

  • Still nothing? No answers?

    Should be so simple

  • Clarence

    All proudly smug with their ranking on pay to play entrepreneur magazine as number one. Notice the others on the list. Many selling the same tired and unsuccessful brands. Franserve is on the list as well and many know all about dan prechtel which is where the IFPG was started. Not sure if dan prechtel may still own both . entrepreneur magazien is like forbes council its all about pay and play. you can buy your ranking . still have not answered a single question. they are in hiding.

  • Lauren

    Still no answers about their “membership base” eligibility requirements???? As an extension of the IFA, shouldn’t this be an easy answer? Is Cuppie’s part of their team too? Membership requirements are a credit card or a check. That’s it. And yes, that email floating around is accurate. Scary and sad, but accurate.

    I heard a very funny IFPG story. A franchiser member hosted a conference call and despite what she was told to expect, only 4 people showed up to the call and seeing who called in and then calling them back wasn’t hard. She ended up getting 3 IFPG employee cell phones and the IFPG fax number. They couldn’t get anyone to show up (despite their 800 member claim), so they called into the conference line themselves to make it seem like it was a real call. The franchiser presented to no brokers and wasted so much time.

    Smoke and mirrors. Be sure to ask for steep discounts on everything you are sold by this group. Word is that deep discounts are abundant and when you calculate the value, you’ll be glad that you asked for deep, deep discounts. And be sure to have the “Best Time” at the event!

  • Clarence

    i have heard from a franchisor that he is listed on the site for the ifpg but does not pay a fee for it. he was told that if he did pay a fee he gets special treatment but he opted out. he says still listed without paying for it. what does this say for everyone who is paying? if the franchise brand owned is worth anything then you dont have to pay to be listed. do the others franchise groups work the same way or is the ifpg just ripping franchises off.

  • Brandon Moore

    I think it’s pretty obvious by now that many of the heavily promoted franchisors are really just in a giant pay-for-play setting.

    The people that are collecting the their fees to “play” don’t care either, they got their money. It’s like certain areas of franchising are really just a cute little cottage industry that preys on honest people.

  • Mark

    Still no answers?

    Silence is interesting in that you’d think that they’d want to clear up the Dan Prechtel issues or the claims that people were scammed.

    But weeks turn into months and still no answers. Nothing about IFPG requirements and nothing about people not getting what they were promised.

    Then there is the bad behavior concerns! I guess we’ll just keep sending out emails and waiting and waiting.

    Weird that no one is addressing this issue.

  • Clarence

    IFPG concerned about the loss of $ as franchisers find out they dont have to pay to be listed so not commenting to the concerns here. no vetting and no research done on any franchisers it is just a $ grab. not even the lawyer responding because it is a losing argument.

  • Clarence

    International Franchise Professional Group has not answered any questions. i am guessing they were advised not to by lawyer. many of the francisers being complained about here are part of their group as well as franserve and franchise broker assocation. anyone can be a broker and not know anything about franchise accept what they are trained by these groups for a fee. my broker friend tells me none are vetted and many dont know they dont have to pay a fee to get listed as a franchiser but many pay not knowing this. these places even sell names for brokers to call as leads and charge for them. people should do own research and not be bothered by using these broker.

  • Wow! Still no answer from that Florida lawyer or Don Daszkowwki or even Dan Prechtel?

    Why aren’t they answering these simple questions?

    I was among them recently and they are bragging about how little harm that came to them. They are laughing and hoping that their next victim doesn’t Google them. And it was A GIANT WASTE OF MONEY. A COMPLETE FARCE AND A COMPLETE WASTE.

    Know who you are dealing with. Sleeze

  • Clarence

    the harm and damage is on the way. that bragging will soon come to an end.

  • Clarence

    ifpg new owner red bozell has not answered any of the questions posted here. what are they hiding?

  • clarence

    IFPG new franchisors thinking broker companies will solve their problems are in for a rude awakening. with the new revenue requirements in the fdd as they will not be in a position to establish viability or adequate item 19. IFPG wont care as long as they get their money from franchisors monthly. this is true for all broker companies but ifpg mostly given well over 75%% of their brands are seriously flawed and to new. expect many franchisors to drop from these broker companies soon wasted costs and fees https://www.franchising.com/articles/impacts_of_the_new_revenue_recognition_rules_on_franchising_so_far.html

  • Clarence

    is ifpg new owner red bozell stopping the collection of fees and charges for franchisers and brokers during the virus crisis?

  • clarence

    many franchisers are giving back by refunding fees lowering royalty payments and working with landlords. both a franchiser and broker friend told me that the ifpg has not offered to assist or give back to any of the people that are paying fees to the ifpg. the ifpg is not a part of franchising gives back with the ifa yet claims to be associated with them. franchisers brokers and vendors should demand that payments be stopped for now until the world is back up again. the ifpg is reading these pages and should do something for there own members. demand some help during difficult times.

  • Clarence

    ifpg franchisers and brokers are selectively having ifpg fees waved until June for those they consider special. word is you have to complain about it to get it. seems if you do it for one you should do it for all. not many deals being done at all by franchisers and brokers

  • Clarence

    ifpg franchisers brokers and service vendors are getting credits and refunds from now to june due to carona virus. since selling franchises has come to nearly a complete stop franchisers felt it unfair to pay ifpg the regular fees and demanded refunds and credits. since they heard others were getting it many are now calling ifpg and getting credits and refunds. if ifpg was an upstanding business they would not have to be asked for people to get there money back they would have given it like they have franchisers they do not want to lose. sleazy company.

  • clarence

    ifpg broker friend tells me ctl leads are way down and old. ctl is discounted heavy realizing that no one is buying. ifpg continues to provide refunds and fee waivers to all those that demand it. franchisers and brokers i’m told are upset with new owner red bozell talking about cv virus and posting videos but not giving everyone in that money scheming company the relief they deserve. they do it for some but not for all. disgusting. i do not know what other broker companies are doing but brokers i know who are ifpg are extremely unhappy and feel lied to.

  • ifpg is still selectively providing discounts fee wavers and subscription reductions to those franchisers brokers and services that are asking for them. ifpg is doing little to help their members with these fees unless members ask or demand them. a company of good standing would do it without having to be asked. broker friends and franchisers tell me they do a lot of talking but hide when it comes to cash. ifa says franchising gives back but not ifpg. they take and do not give. other franchiser and broker companies are doing something for there people. what is ifpg doing?

  • franchising gives back except for the ifpg. many franchisers have offered much during the covid 19 outbreak. ifpg offers no wavers, no fee reductions, no broker reductions or anything else. i am told that they have provided discounts and wavers to some but not all. ifpg is a money grab and it seems the ifa goes along with them as they are approved suppliers. it is awful to think that there are people who have spent $19,000.00 to be trained as ifpg brokers with no experience or business background. ifpg will train anyone to be a broker if they pay up the 19 thousdand. its all very sleazy and i am told many franchisers are leaving the ifpg listings.

  • IFPG International Franchise Professional Group questions yet to be answered;

    Questions for IFPG Leadership & Members
     What is the criteria for becoming a “Franchise Partner” of the IFPG?
     What is the review & screening process?
     Is any independent research done or do you rely solely on the franchisor’s representations?
     Who makes the final decision as to whether a franchisor is eligible to become an IFPG “Franchise Partner”

    Many still waiting yet no responses.

  • International Franchise Professional Group interesting conversation with one of the members of their ethics committee who shall remain nameless. This person tells me that because there is no exclusivity on the International Franchise Professional Group those that subscribe will find several franchises of the same type. This in and of itself is not a bad thing except that many will disparage the competition listed on the site and essentially eat each other. The IFPG uses this tactic to bring aboard additional brands for example: “We have just signed on Apex commercial cleaning and you should be on our site as well”. The Franchise is told that by paying the fee they will be the first to come up when a broker searches a brand. They even now have what they call elite sponsorships where the franchise brand is actually promoted by another brand when listed. Of course this costs more money and I’m told yields very little if any result. Restoration franchises, healthcare franchises, food franchises, service franchises and even vendors all of the very same type nibble at the heels of each other during the webcasts IFPG produces which in and of itself is very sleazy. As part of the so called ethics committee he tells me, confidentially, that this is highly irregular and in fact ethically improper given their methods. The moral I suppose is caveat emptor. Be careful what your sold on the IFPG web site.

  • The International Franchise Professional Group IFPG has an ethics committee?

    Seriously?

  • Yes. Targeted to their brokers apparently and not to their franchisees.

  • International Franchise Professional Group and its listed Franchisors that pay commissions must make the IRS aware of commissions paid to Brokers as well as adding them to the FDD as part of their sales process. Franchisors not issuing form 1099-NEC are subject to penalties and fines as are Brokers who do not report earnings via commissions from Franchisors. Would appreciate a Franchise Attorney verifying this fact and codifying it to be an accurate statement. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/reporting-payments-to-independent-contractors

  • Scihte

    International Franchise Professional Group strongly promotes the franchise sale of Rita’s Water Ice. Information about the franchise was recently posted. “9 Rita’s Italian ice went on sale for just for month of September . About same as listed for sale just for the month of July. There is 12 month. Tons of for sale listings. Owner saids highly motivated to sale. Unit now has number 1400. Only actual 600 unit made it with more than half still losing money and wants out. This year looks like average about 200K. Much much less than quizno average and losing money the same way. Joining Rita’s is like signing up for slavery. High fail SBA loan rate should be a red flag warning.” International Franchise Professional Group fails to respond to anything on the unhappyfranchisee.com site. Obviously void of responses or clarity.

  • Pingback: Franchise Business Brokers | Do They Actually Care?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *