Friday, April 5, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
13
comments
@
From the Business Desk
Latest Business Stories
 
Report: Atlantic City finances weaken
 
KFC to offer boneless chicken
 
Merck CEO: West Point, Montco facility safe for now
 
Here we go again: Changing COLA to cut Social Security?
 
Corporate cyber crime: Real or bogus?
More News »
Business Blogs
 
PhillyDeals: Weak job report the latest sign economy is slowing 12:59pm
 
Inquiring Consumer: Here we go again: Changing COLA to cut Social Security? 12:35pm
Stay Connected

Hoagie shop franchise sues Mount Laurel man over debt

Story Highlights
  • PrimoHoagies was in court Tuesday, filing a lawsuit against one of its shop operators.
  • The suit says Jay Venito agreed to run a PrimoHoagie store in Lumberton and pay 7 percent of sales for franchise fees and advertising.
  • Venito failed to pay the fees and urged PrimoHoagie to conduct a fire sale of the business.
More coverage
  • Primo Hoagies franchiser admits scam
    • Jane M. Von Bergen, Inquirer Staff Writer
    Posted: Friday, April 5, 2013, 6:55 AM

    Nicholas Papanier, 57, owner of PrimoHoagies Franchising Inc., was in federal court in Camden two weeks ago, pleading guilty to tax evasion stemming from taxes he owed on hoagie shop operators' cash payments to him for salami, ham, and other deli ingredients.

    This week, his company was back in Camden's federal courthouse, having filed a lawsuit against one of its shop operators.

    The suit, filed Tuesday, says Jay Venito of Mount Laurel agreed in January 2011 to run a PrimoHoagie store on Route 38 in Lumberton. As part of the deal, he would have to pay 7 percent of sales for franchise fees and advertising.

    When he didn't pay, the suit said, PrimoHoagie sent a default notice. Venito's response, the suit said, was "to conduct a fire sale of their business . . . in a manner calculated to embarrass and tarnish the reputation of Primo."

    Venito could not be reached for comment, and Primo's lawyer, Craig R. Tractenberg of Philadelphia, said Primo had been unsuccessful in contacting Venito.

    The franchise agreement, according to the suit, gives Primo the right to operate a troubled business and first shot at buying equipment and other assets.

    Primo has more than 60 hoagie franchises in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. PrimoHoagies Franchising is based in Sewell.

    Papanier faces sentencing on the tax-evasion case June 28 before U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman.

     

    Contact Jane Von Bergen at jvonbergen@phillynews.com, @JaneVonBergen on Twitter, or 215-854-2769. Read her workplace blog at www.philly.com/jobbing.

    Jane M. Von Bergen Inquirer Staff Writer
    13
    comments
    email
    Previous Story: Tension rising at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
    Next Story: Paperwork delay foils Spirit Airlines’ party, new local service
    You May Also Like
    Comments  (13)
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:15 AM, 04/05/2013
      Is there no honor among thieves anymore?
      — mo480
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:17 AM, 04/05/2013
      Just eat at Maranuccis
      — 835union
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:44 AM, 04/05/2013
      I haven't heard many good things about doing business with Primos.
      — foghelmut
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:32 AM, 04/05/2013
      Primos franchises were / are great business opportunities. Primos is associated with having a quality product thats consistent no matter which location you order from.
      — zen
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:44 AM, 04/05/2013
      Don't really care for Primos Hoagies. Their party platters are over priced. I guess if you never had a local hoagie before, they would be OK, but nothing special.
      — unclejed
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:02 AM, 04/05/2013
      I had a better sammich at the ball game.
      — Wilhelm Von Humboldt
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:50 PM, 04/05/2013
      primo's used to be good. it's devolved into bland hoagies. I loved the old school hoagies from Ricci Bros at 11th and Annin but I hear they screwed that up too.
      — Themonkofmagdalena
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:32 PM, 04/05/2013
      "Hoagie shop franchise sues ... man over debt"? Thought they were talking about Gov. Christie's sandwich tab!
      — *Chuck*
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:45 PM, 04/05/2013
      Beats a Subway. The Tonner doesn't know how anyone eats that slop. Step down from Wawa and that's saying something. By the way, that Judge Hillman doesn't mess around. That dude is in for a complete roto-rootering.
      — hunglikeaton
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:47 PM, 04/05/2013
      That's why I only buy sandwiches at Jersey Mike's Subs!
      — DelcoSchmelco
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:54 PM, 04/05/2013
      Wawa hoagies suck anymore...feels like they've been on a steady decline since they started using the touch-screens for orders.
      — CaptAwesome
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:56 PM, 04/05/2013
      Wawa's hoagies seem to get smaller all the time and have less meat.
      — MDefl
    • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:34 PM, 04/05/2013
      They've been skimping on the meats in their sandwiches lately too, shame - used to be OK, goodbye PRimos.
      — EagleEye61