We have just finished on a sour note after 10 years with Bakers Delight. It is with much sadness that we read Peter
and CarolMasalski's story as they had the hugely successful store at Tooronga in which we did our training. They were
extremely passionate franchisees and recognized as "successful franchisees" by Bakers Delight Holdings. As we lived
in Carnegie we hoped to puchase a store close to home but we were told that Carnegie was the wrong demographics. After
leasing a store in Keysborough we purchased our Bentleigh store.  We attended forums, conferences, achieved five star
for our store and set our sights on becoming multiple store owners.  East Bentleigh was opened less than 2km from our
store, we were advised by email that it was to be a company store, which was not the case.  Then we were advised that
they had secured a sight in Carnegie (Amazing how quickly the demographics changed.) We requested Carnegie but that
was also given to somebody else.  We were finally given a new store in Clarinda.  The details surrounding this store
I am not at liberty to discuss, however this is when our relationship with Bakers Delight started to break down.

As the Clarinda chapter came to an end we had a meeting with Bakers Delight  Holdings. After lengthy discussions we
were offered 12 months to decide if  we would keep our Bentleigh store and carry out a refurbishment.         


During the following twelve months of juggling debts we realized that we would not be in a position to service our
debt if we added the cost of a refurbishment to our already sizeable debt and indicated that we would be selling our
store. When we actually submitted our intention to sell to Bakers Delight Holdings it was 20th August, 2005, our
asking price was  $595,000.  On the 21st February, 2006 we received a call from Michael Ermer  to advise us that they
had decided our store was overpriced and would no longer be listed in "Crumbs" unless the price was considered a
saleable  price. We dropped our price $80,000 and were told that it could once again  be listed. At was at this stage
that we asked if there was anyone in a  situation to purchase our store. We were told that there were two people in
the system currently doing training that would be looking to purchase on our side of Melbourne our other option was
to sell to an existing franchisee.  We ask if we were able to contact the people in training to try and market our
store. We were told due to privacy laws they could not give us details. Five weeks after reducing our price to
$515,000 We were told as our deed was  nearing the end it may be a good idea to drop the price again as there was no
interest and in their opinion overpriced. It was becoming extremely clear to us that it was not our price that was
too high it was that there was no one to buy. We told Michael we would be happy to discuss price if anyone was
interested in looking at our store.  It became evident that time  was running out for us to sell our store and it had
been made clear to us that our deed would not be renewed. 

We called a meeting with Roger Gillespie, Michael Ermer and our consultant Catherine Grayson and we bought along a
friend who could think and listen clearly without the emotion that we were struggling with. We were asking if we
could build a bridge and renew our deed if we could prove ourselves as committed and motivated franchisees. We were
told that this was not an  option.  Our friend asked if there was a reason and the reason given by  Michael Ermer is
that we were not "happy franchisees".

We finally sold to an existing franchisee who Bakers Delight had suggested  we call. Our sale price was $445,000.

It is interesting to note that when we had two stores and we were in serious financial trouble Bakers Delight
suggested we meet with Richard Taylor to  try and find a solution. If we had followed his advice I shudder to think
what may have happened.  It was suggested that we should sell our good store to free up funds for the struggling
store.  We were asked did we really need two cars?, What else did we have to sell so that we could inject more funds
into our second store.

We considered standing up to BDH on many occasions but decided we just didn't have the strength left to fight them
any further. We still have a fantastic marriage and four beautiful children to consider and the price may have been
more that we were willing to pay. 

We will continue to read with interest "Bakers Delight Stories" 

Kind regards             
Wayne and Karina Short