Did Ben uncover something bigger about the McNaffs & Co?
My alleged theory is the Mcnaffs and their friends were exploiting stores in distress to enrich themselves. They suddenly seize control, determine the value of inventory for themselves, then either run the stores into closing blaming the prior owners (or retain ownership themselves).
They are likely being so aggressive bc there is probably something even shadier going on. The RICO charges are meant to do exactly what stopped Ben from posting. Go after his friends to scare him so they won’t be exposed.
I also think this is why they were so uncooperative and defensive from the get go.
Maybe this is what Ben’s part 3 goes into and that’s why BAM is fighting so hard to keep it hidden.
Here is some of the evidence for my alledged theory:
They have a history of using the legal system for their personal gain. (legal Mine)
Josh is said to have been looking to own 25-50 stores (emmasaurus video)
Corporate business isn’t really franchising. They are more like a bank and make money from interest from franchisees. This also gives them the right to take stores and their inventory over if the store isn’t doing well. This isn’t suspicious in itself, but what is sus is that Josh says himself they were going to rescue the store in Salem and could take it over for the cost of whatever they recover.
The Kaizer store is not the only store Corporate sent in Josh and Brandon to “rescue” the store only to screw over (and blame everything on) the prior owner.
TheLastRelic story backs this up and I wonder how many others have a similar story, but are staying silent due to NdAs or additional legal threats. He even mentions Josh and Brandon wanted to recruit him to help “rescue stores”
Chrystal talks about having bank account issue/(iirc) rent payments and talks about the way corporate suddenly showed up one day just after telling her they knew buyers. TheLastRelic discusses being saddled with debt/his landlord having issues once bam take over.
The McNaffs rise to power within BAM as described by Ammon is suspiciously vague. Who knows how willing that takeover was.
(Iirc) The Inventory list in both cases were a wash and a few months later the stores are closed. The inventory that was unsold went where?
Finally, I’ve been thinking about this for a bit now while consuming everything possible and there might be more supporting evidence for this. Or I just missed something obvious that blows a hole in this entirely, but I think it makes sense.
To me this would answer the big question about WHY BAM would be willing to ruin their entire business over this. They don’t care about BAM and the franchisees. They are motivated to protect themselves and their scheme from being exposed.
Edit: can’t wait to see the coffeezilla video but sounds like there’s information in there that would back this up. Secret recordings and a Uhaul(?)
Maria Cooper - https://www.reddit.com/r/RecklessBen/s/674mkv6iwn