“I lost €100,000”

Around ten Stéphane Plaza Immobilier franchisees have taken steps to leave the brand in the face of the repercussions of the trial of host and real estate agent Stéphane Plaza, we learnedAFP from their lawyer, confirming information about France Inter.

A lawyer specializing in real estate law, Me Sarah Laassir told AFP that she had “discussions with around ten Stéphane Plaza” Real Estate franchisees wanting to “exit the franchise”.

660 agencies

The network of real estate agencies of the same name as the host, 51% owned by the television channel M6, was launched in 2015 and had 660 agencies in 2022.

But the trial for domestic violence of Stéphane Plaza, against whom 18 months of suspended imprisonment and a fine of 10,000 euros were required, adds for the agencies that bear his name an image crisis to an economic crisis which already penalizes everything the real estate sector.

Since the media coverage of the affair, customers no longer want to put up signs on the facades with the name of Stéphane Plaza, in prospecting we are told more about the affair than about business, we have a drop in attendance, we are losing business. sales mandates.

This franchisee does not wish to be identified because it is currently in negotiations with the group to end its franchise contract.

“It’s a big disservice to us”

Another franchisee, at the head of two Stéphane Plaza Immobilier agencies, spoke to AFP of insults, a loan refused by her bank because “the Stéphane Plaza sign is considered too dangerous” and departures of collaborators, since the publication in September 2023 of testimonies from former companions of Stéphane Plaza by Mediapart.

She, too, has entered into negotiations to leave the franchise and wishes to remain anonymous.

Her franchise contract will only expire in one year and, as such, the brand is asking her to reimburse the royalties she would have had to pay during this period in the event of a breach of contract, she explains to the AFP.

But in the middle of the real estate crisis, which has seen a massive drop in transactions for old housing, its coffers are dry and it assures “ have two months of life ahead of (her) if (she) does not come out of the franchise.

“We just want to work in good conditions, if we pay a franchise fee it is so that it serves a purpose, today it is doing us a lot of harm,” believes the first franchisee quoted in this article.

I have lost between 5 and 10 mandates since the start of the summer, that represents almost 100,000 euros in lost turnover.

Contacted byAFPthe Stéphane Plaza Immobilier network did not wish to comment on the subject.

Source: AFP.

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