Posted on Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 9:40 a.m.
Bearclaw Coffee founder Debi Scroggins looks to Iran for franchisees
By AnnArbor.com Staff
Scroggins
Scroggins recruited nearly a dozen Iranians who will invest $180,000 to open mobile coffee carts in the United States, the article said.
The investors will obtain a special E-2 visa that allows them to live and work in the United States after investing in a business they will control, The News reports.
"These are candidates who are cash-ready," Scroggins told The News. "I've had so many candidates (in the United States) who have $30,000 to put down and cannot get financing because they lost their home equity and they lost their 401(k) and, oh, by the way, their credit has nicks in it."
Comments
ron t
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 1:42 p.m.
I agree - 0 US Citizens but get 12 Iranians "There's something rotten in the state of Denmark" except it's here.
millermaple
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 11:32 a.m.
Another odd thing about this story- per the Detroit News story- Scroggins visited Dubai last month to meet with potential investors. She found 12 Iranians, interesting how much Dubai has been in the news lately! Scroggins also said employees will earn between $15 and $20 an hr! is she being overly optimistic?
millermaple
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 10:58 a.m.
Bearclaw could be less greedy & set up a program for returning vets like Little Caesars has. http://franchise.littlecaesars.com/VeteransProgram/tabid/76/Default.aspx Has anyone told Homeland security about this wacky Bearclaw scheme?
nimbus123
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 7:01 p.m.
Hmmmm, I wonder where in Iran these ppl are getting their money. Most ppl are not doing too well over there. What groups of ppl in Iran would have lots and lots of money to buy themselves a visa? Who could they be? Madame, thank you for the article, I will make it a point to AVOID your establishment in the future.
John Alan
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 4 p.m.
What is there to deep dive? These people who are getting (BUYING) E2 visa, are so hipe for coming to the US that they will pay the $180K as their ticket to US and they speculate that a coffee shop is making them Millions of $$$ and they will live the American Dream (as shown on TV). Now tell me this, if they started to loose money and could not fullfill their obligation to the Franchise Agreement contract -- what is next? sueing them for whatever is left for them and ruining their life..... Sure it is your right to go after them BUT please know that these people do not have access to a lawyer to read the contract and explain to them the risk involved and what kind of trap (if any) they may be walking into.... If you have good intention, you will offer them a way out of the contract without penalty (if they could NOT get the business going).... but I bet that is not one of the clauses in your franchise agreement... I don't blame you.... obviously in your book it is their fault and they have to pay for it and the contract is on your side - No argument there. The question is: getting people that have no experience and major language barrier (set up for a failed business) is the right thing or not (regardless if they have money or not)?
bedrog
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 3:46 p.m.
im all for it...but only if the bearclaw franchise focuses on iranian jews and baha'i-s who are getting the "shaft" under the repressive ahmadineajad/ayatollah regime.
nimbus123
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 12:53 p.m.
So, there were absolutely 0 United States citizens you were able to find? I find that hard to believe.
Debi Scroggins
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 10:50 a.m.
Hi John and Ron, Please feel free to email me at debi@bearclawcoffee.com to deep dive your concerns. As a 3rd generation Ann Arbor girl I love a good dialogue! Just so you know, our company has already provided 3 great full time jobs in Washtenaw County just for support of this program. We are getting ready to bring 8 full time skilled manufacturing jobs to Western Washtenaw County for the mobiles and we are working with the U of M to provide intern positions for the others. We have recently occupied a empty 4500 sq ft warehouse and are now able to provide insurance to all of our Corporate store and office employees that require it. You are right these opportunities do provide cash and cash is allowing us to grow and provide more jobs for my home State. I look forward to hearing from you both at debi@bearclawcoffee.com. Thanks!
John Alan
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 4:58 a.m.
It sure looks like buying US Visa!!!! How are the cultural differences and the language barrier going to be addressed here? Granted they have the cash (which is all you are after), but they need to know and have experience of running business in the US in order to make it. Ofcourse the franchise agreement will protect the Bearclaw and these poor souls will be taken for all the $$$ that they have regardless of if they make it or not.....