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I think it would certainly help. Anything would at this point... The only problem is will they be grateful for your generous offer or not?
To date they aren't grateful for their generous shareholders...
IMO
I dropped by the Milwaukee store recently, and will report back that business was very strong. It seems the Oconomowoc store should be open soon, but I didn't get an exact date b/c the owner was there... It is real though.
Food was good as always. It's just too bad they've made SO many promises on the stock to hundreds of people.
IMO
Major volume occurring today. I can't believe it's only midday and we're at almost 1M shares. Don't JV and BV have to register if they are selling shares, or are they just bypassing this little law as well? I'm not sure how it works on the pinks...
Perhaps GH is just dumping again as well... I wonder if JV has any friends left?
IMO
I wasn't able to listen skunks, what happened?
I thought there wasnt a CC the last 3 weeks?? I'd be interested to hear what they were saying. I'll say one thing, they surely aren't returning any phone calls, or emails... That really concerns me. When they need $$$ there was no issue
Yep and the stock price is certainly reflecting their inability to run a business. Second, remember Tom and Bill promising to return phone calls on all of the CC's? Well, it isn't happening, just try calling one of them. It really is ridiculous. Someone dumped a fresh 250k to start the morning I see.
IMO
There were originally senior-level managers in the company like Jack Carroll and Billy Blackwell. Apparently they are now gone. No press release though, and there certainly was a PR when they were hired. They are playing by their own rules - that's for sure...
Too much volume going on right now and it don't smell good to me!
Yeah, the volume is just much too high PA - you are right. The float has clearly gone up and somebody is dumping a lot of shares. It's funny because they all but said it was Garland dumping shares yet he's still parading around. Regardless of what you think of JV, he's made a mess out of the capital structure of this company on bad advice from Garland.
With this type of volume going through at $.04 I'm not sure how the price will get pushed up all that much. There haven't been steady enough PR's on new stores opening, heck we got one today on a new box. Should've saved the $1K it costs to submit a PR like that IMO!
In the end everyone's entitled to their own opinion. Mine is a bit negative now, but for many reasons re-hashed over and over on this board... Funny how material things like over 1/2 the senior mgmt leaving haven't been made a bigger deal of.
IMO
Skunks you are correct on this I think as well. Of course we don't know. I do know I was told about a year ago that the relationship did NOT include an investment on Fidler's behalf, but rather an investment in local franchises and helping get them off the ground.
It will be interesting to watch. JV will have some explaining to do. The stock wouldn't be this low if it weren't directly for GH and JV. Less shares outstanding means the stock can stay up at the $.10 level, but they've doubled the share count and not grown the business much subsequently - a bad combo indeedy!
IMO
Agreed as well. JV knows how to make a decent pizza, but as far as running a national enterprise, sorry.
I'm pretty much guessing he is selling shares in the company all the way down, as is Garland. The volume has been way higher than normal and nearly all of it selling, that tells me one thing. Funny thing is that a million shares of his POS is only worth $25K right now. They have no clue what it means to issue shares, and that's all JV or GH care about. We're at 11 frigging stores still.
Call me short-sighted or whatever, but i've called this precisely over the last year or so. They needed to stop issuing shares a year ago, and they told me there were going to, which they lied about. I hope JV realizes how many people he is hurting in this little venture of his, though I'm certain he probably doesn't care.
IMO
He may well succeed, depends on how you keep score beemer. I know for one that he's diluted the stock and that's the only reason it is down. He followed Garland Harris' advice, and Garland sold all the way up and all the way down. It's called pump and dump, and they've cost some good people a lot of savings.
I hope you are right for those who stuck a lot of dough into this!
IMO
This is what happens to stocks that you dilute to crap, JV.
I'd love to know if he is selling, so much for insider buying and selling, eh?
IMO
There's nothing going on in Austin, I've been there 3 of the last 4 weeks and let's say I've 'driven around' a bit while there.
A lot of talk out there, but JV is living the big shot life and hasn't figured out cash flow 101. Always my fear, now a reality. He single-handidly, now, fleeced a goodly portion of his friends & family, and their friends and family. Dilute the heck out of everyone and give Garland free reign to sell on the open market each and every day. It seems obvious jailtime will be a result of Unique Pizza and Subs. I hope I'm wrong and they've begun to turn this around, but they've gone quiet again.
Midwest, I think you are correct in this post... It really IS run like a family business. They take outsiders money and live high on the hog and mess everyone's investments up. I've said this since my FIRST post. When I first met JV and BV, there were 400M shares outstanding and I questioned this. They told me they weren't intending to increase the O/S. Well, we are now more than double the amount of shares, so there is too much supply right now. The only way for this to move is by getting to 100+ stores in my opinion.
We're around 14% of the way there :)
And yeah, we can throw stones at GH, and we do. JV has been warned about him and didn't listen, among other things. He's lost most of his best talent and never put out a PR on it, and lost the call center and never put a PR out on it. I'm not sure what he's done correctly myself. One thing he's done is broken a ton of SEC laws on "material changes to a business" and for all of our sakes, I hope he gets this together and quickly.
IMO
I know he's selling shares, just was curious where the # came from... Was it just over 100k shares, or a lot more? They must be eeringly close to their authorized limit. They need to start generating cash flow and stop selling shares. It's a tad out of hand...!
Hey Skunks, where did this info come from? I'm just curious if you can point us to it. I'm sure you are correct, and if so that is downright scary. Who do these guys think they are? Look what they're doing to the stock price for goodness sakes... Unbelievable.
IMO
Thanks for the update. I wasn't able to make the CC again and appreciate the detailed update. I would've liked to ask Fidler a couple of questions, and I'm really happy he was on the call - it shows he IS involved. Things take a while to materialize. I just wish we could pay people and collect fees from franchisees - something just doesn't smell right when you sell stock to run a business... They really need to continue communicating and thus we'll be less nervous.
Thanks again for the update on the CC... Hope all had a nice holiday weekend - it was nice for me to be away from a PC!
IMO
probably the bear just because mgmt hasn't followed up on their promises and folks are ancy now.
It's amazing that it's almost Dec 07 and we only have 10 stores operational, have no sales or profitability (comps) data on these, and have no clue what the cash position is. Pretty unreal...
IMO
Maybe you could meet at JV's country club and take his Jaguar there?!
J/K
Good to lighten the mood since the company takes its shareholders so lightly...
Yeah... And i say this not because he isn't a well-intentioned individual, but rather because as a public company there are things you must report that are material to operating as a public firm. He hasn't been completely clear and that could land him in trouble. He should be thankful this board brings up these topics (or not thankful depending) rather than call us all 'idiots'
we'll see what happens, he needs to make something happen pretty quick me thinks...
IMO
I agree Original... If everyone here is so stupid or 'idiots' how have so many of us been SPOT ON as to how JV was to ruin this company by spending like a drunken sailor.
I believe he needs to step down, and quickly. They need outside blood to run this place, but I'm scared still about the cash situation... If his own shareholders are idiots, then that says a lot. I'm fairly certain JV will end up in court over this UPZS ordeal...
IMO
Skunks is correct Bill V is a very good guy. But, as we all know separating business from personal feelings is key. Pay the employees, pay the taxes...! Collect royalties so you have cash flow. Heck, they raised over $3M I believe, where'd it all go?
They need to provide some answers and soon. I want to know their cash position... We already know their approximate burn. this stuff isn't rocket science and i've been saying it all year.
I have no time to chase this info down, but I'll tell you they'd better get their stuff in Pitt together. Seems the stores are doing fairly well from those I speak to and OG's comments here, so what the heck is the issue! It's a broken, too costly, model back in Pittsburgh... We aren't papa johns!
All IMO
OG - 10-4 on this comment mate!
Anyone foolish enough to to any type of transaction with G Harris hasn't done due diligence. Actually it wouldn't surprise me if this is one of his employees posting on the board. Everyone needs to be careful who they listen to on boards like this. Buyer beware...
BTW> what happened to the price Friday?! 600K shares and down 2 pennies... Sux...
OG how is the store performing?? My next trip down south I'll be dropping in.
IMO
I tend to agree his credibility is very challenged at this point, on this and a number of other items... But wait, Garland will save the day!
I don't know how many of you have met him, but if you have you know why many of us have disdain. He isn't equipped to run a telephone booth from my vantage point. A washed up used-car salesman AT BEST.
Don't buy stock from him, go direct to the company if you want to do a placement.
IMO
I'm not picking on any workers as I know none of them. What I do know is that I've spoken to enough people at (1) store and they didn't like nor use the call center, they were giving out their # direct.
I think the concept has a lot of merit, and agree with OG that this is where it is all going. The crux of this company is the individual stores perform well and the finances are in line, that'll propel us to the next level.
JV has some explaining to do though further if he can't pay these people. This could well be a much deeper rooted problem unless he steps up and quick.
IMO
Milwaukee definitely stopped using it, I'm 100% certain as they told me several weeks ago. No offense to anyone who didn't get paid (as they 100% should have and it's wrong they didn't); they said the call center didn't work and wasn't good at all...
So, it's not only OG. There's always more to a story than meets the eye... Either way, if employees aren't working out you don't just stop paying them. You release them and then stop paying them. JV went about this the wrong way no matter if he was right or wrong.
imo
Yep they haven't been paid six weeks, and they are now on the board. It's their freedom of speech. I feel bad though for JV in the next call because harder questions are certainly coming with regards to how he is spending the cash this company has raised.
At one point I believe he mentioned on a CC way back when that they had raised over $3M. I'd like to know what is in the bank now. Just my opinion.
No buying interest here, that is obvious.
JV needs to release pertinent news. It's easy to see daily that shares are being dumped in large volumes on the market. The only way to stop that is by showing signs of growth
I'm in agreement Skunk. JV needs to make a big statement now, pay these people and move on. If he can't even afford to pay the wages of the call center employees he is showing a lot of weakness. If someone isn't doing a good job at a company, you still pay them until you fire them. There aren't excuses here.
I look forward to reading the PR's JV said were coming soon.
I agree not funding the Call Center is a smart business move. The Milwaukee store hasn't been using the call center for months b/c they said it sucked so this doesn't surprise me or concern me at all - unless the reason is that JV can't afford these folks, that's really not good if its the case.
IMO
Yep hard to disagree with that.
My posts have had one resounding theme for a lot of months, unfortunately they have come to roost... It's time for them to batten down the hatches. Don't know what to tell everyone.
JV needs to give us a #'s forecast per store after 12/months of operations. This way we can calculate their franchise fee times the # of stores and see what type of revenue we're playing with. Otherwise we're just guessing. He doesn't have control of the data and that's a first step to building a business.
We need someone running this place that gets it. They were burning $35K/wk back in February. Do the math 8 months later and we've burned well over $1M since Feb... Where is the return on this? If they could've leaned down a bit and got their burn to $15/20K per week we'd have more cash now. They were over-zealous and now JV needs to find a way out.
Funny thing is they thought most of us didn't know anything about anything... Well the tables are turned now and I hope they get things straight. They have way too many people WAY too invested in this to give up now.
And i hope the Patriots lose a few games, i'm sick of hearing about them honestly.
IMO
I passively listened on mute to the CC while participating on another CC on my other line. From what I gathered there will be a bunch of new PR's in the coming week or two, and that they are anticipating 25 new conversions in some reasonable time frame. Sorry my details are a bit foggy.
Someone came on from the call center and told JV they'd see him in court. His response was adequate but I can't blame folks for being mad if they aren't getting paid - I would be too.
JV had better come up with some rock-solid facts soon, or he will really drive the stock price down. They still have enough restricted shares out there and that buys them some time, but they need stores and cash flow in the worst way.
GH must be a last-ditch idea and they've used it. I hate the fact they are so in bed with him but they've now clearly made their decision.
PA - We've been on the same page with a lot of this, and it really isn't that complicated rather simple business. This is why on the 'first' of this series of conference calls I asked JV about their cash position - this information today answers a lot of my questions... They are burning cash too quickly and they really need to throttle back.
I tend to agree if JV can't gain control of the ship someone else needs to take over operations and he can be a spokesperson or something... It's unfortunate but I'm sure he's under the gun to get this thing turned. Question is, does he have the ability and the means to? We'll find out!
IMO
The good news is we'll be able to listen in tomorrow and find out what's going on. So it really won't take long. If the call center isn't up in the next 24-48hrs there are no excuses, it runs much deeper.
Let's cross our fingers
If Exceed can give his source of his post regarding not paying the workers that would help, otherwise it's an alias just created and it is just speculation... Who knows... I smell rats regardless but have for a long time :)
All IMO
What the heck is going on at this company?
Don't call the UPZS call center, they seem to not be answering their phone. I apologize for questioning the last poster as perhaps he/she was correct.
I hope someone decides to toughen up on the call to see what is going on tomorrow. Someone dumped a large amount of shares today, perhaps GH or JV. Who knows, but anyone holding shares lost 25% of their value today in a big way, so you'd think someone knows something as we rarely see volume this big. Something stinks - I'd encourage folks here to join the call and ask questions, I wont be able to make it.
All IMO
So you created this alias to post under today? that seems convenient to post such astounding news...
Perhaps you are right, but it seems pretty far-fetched to me at the moment... Man I hope you're wrong and am certain it'll be addressed on the conference call.
Yep, I agree. It isn't so hard for the other 9000 company's listed on major and sub exchanges... They really need to cut through the BS.
This company is more of a stockbroker than anything. Shut GH up and take control of these calls and execute on what is promised - we don't need anything besides that and a little luck.
IMO
Stay away from Fountain Capital. Again, how does this benefit the company? I doubt Garland gives the cash to UPZS if he sells stock now. If you had desires to buy stock privately why not go direct to the company?! I'm sure they have pricing controls in place where Garland can't low-ball the stock, but leave nothing to imagination with him. He really doesn't understand capital structures and sure as hay doesn't understand the market works.
He's "at best" a Salesguy. I know you feel this way Crown already but it's worth repeating for new readers. Beware. IMO
I'm just hopeful for new stores coming on board continually and hearing of new committments and Fidler-based progress...
IMO
I'm surprised at the volume up here at $.08/.09 per share. There is still liquidity and demand which oddly is somewhat bullish... If we were to be able to break $.10 it would be very solid...
JV needs to keep solid PR's coming out, that'll keep the price in the right direction
That is your right, to post whatever and whenever...
You aren't the only one that questions JV, there are others on the board that were on that call that didn't pipe up... I'll tell you what it's dissapointing that few had the courage to speak candidly with JV...
We all have our own opinions and plans though, so I'm sure that others have their reasons to stay quiet... Maybe they've sold their shares who knows.
All I know is I'm happy the stock is above $.05 and happy they are actively opening stores. If the stores are a hit a lot of these nuances shockingly will take care of themselves...
IMO
And before Skunks lashes out at me... If you have that much $$ invested here you would think the skulls/bones question would've come up... I understand you don't trust JV's words and frankly I'm with you, I don't either... At least this puts him on the spot to know where his $$$ people stand...
On a side note, I read a great article on Buffalo Wild Wings last night and it seems that franchise effort started much like UPZS did. Late financials, many hiccups, and THEN... The CEO stepped down and hired someone that actually knows how to run a business and the company is growing gang-busters now... I think it'd be great if JV stepped down and was just a figure-head for the company personally... Time is running out not with regards to the fact that he CAN be CEO, but he'll run out of dough before long if he doesn't shape up
IMO
OG-
I actually disagree on the tough questions with regards to some that I asked. These questions are:
1) How are the current franchises performing to-date?
2) Are you receiving royalties TODAY from operating franchisees?
3) Why have you diluted all of your faithful shareholders so much and what are your future plans?
These are three biggies in my book, and he didn't answer #1 to my liking, did answer #2 and #3 but not necessarily to any of our benefits as shareholders...
For all the screaming people do here, I'm shocked I'm the only one that rustled up enough balls to ask any difficult questions... I was amazed it ended like it did without others piping in.
All IMO
Garland's a blood idiot! I don't even know why he gets so much press with JV. Scary...
Garland asserted that he's been through the audit process and it cost him $140K or something, and they are never on time, blah blah... Meanwhile, JV said that UPZS's accountant NEVER got the financials to the auditor, so how can it be the auditors fault! They aren't going to receive the info until at best this week! Garland is a self-serving used car salesman that mysteriously ended up in TX after being chased out of PA. ANYONE who gives him a check is a fool. NONE of the money Garland receives goes into funding the company, so why not buy direct from UPZS, or better yet from etrade or ameritrade.
This all smells foul. They'd better get on with running and developing a business that spits of cash, and quit spitting us this game their playing year after year.