APCO Epping franchisee Frank Eid barricades himself inside closed servo as dispute continues

APCO Epping service station’s veteran owner, who remains bunkered down inside the store closed by the fuel chain during a long-running stoush, says a community rally of support brought him to tears.

APCO franchisee Frank Eid is refusing to leave his Epping store until he gets a “fair” price from the chain or another buyer.

A SERVO owner who has barricaded himself in his store during a long-running dispute with his franchiser says a community rally of support brought him to tears.

Hundreds of former customers, friends and family of Frank Eid on Saturday rallied outside the APCO Epping store, where Mr Eid bunkered down 10 days ago after his franchise contract was terminated by the fuel chain.

Mr Eid said while bolstered by community support the battle was taking a toll, and he had not heard from APCO since last week.

“They are playing with my nerves, I think they want me dead so they don’t have to pay me,” Mr Eid said.

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APCO director Robert Anderson said he understood the community’s wish to support Mr Eid, but it was important the public understood why the franchise agreement was terminated.

“APCO has made significant attempts to amicably resolve matters but those attempts have been unsuccessful due to Mr Eid’s other complex legal circumstances,” Mr Anderson said.

Mr Eid today said he was buoyed by community support and had no plans to leave his store, where he has now spent 10 nights surrounded by rotting stock and a heater to keep warm.

Mr Eid wants to sell his High St franchise, and a second one in Settlement Rd Thomastown, because he says his health is failing and he wants to retire.

But he claims APCO has “warned” away potential buyers, and the chain has also offered him a low sale price.

“APCO have convinced three parties who made offers the store was not profitable,” Mr Eid said.

The last offer for the Epping store from an independent buyer was $1.2 million a year ago, he said.

On May 24 APCO terminated the franchise agreement with Mr Eid, turned off the fuel pumps, fenced off the business, and installed security guards.

But since then Mr Eid has bedded down in the store, surrounded by about $30,000 of rotting stock and a gas heater.

Frank Eid says he is refusing to leave the APCO Epping premises until he gets a fair price for his two stores.

He said 24 staff at his two closed stores had been left jobless and in limbo.

“I can’t describe how hurt I am. I am badly hurt and depressed,” he said.

His dispute has ignited public debate, with many joining a community protest supporting Mr Eid on Saturday outside the High St Epping servo.

Mr Eid said he accepted an offer from APCO of about $1 million for both stores, plus stock, however an agreement had still not been finalised, and he planned to take legal action.

APCO spokesman Michael Cave said APCO had been in discussions with Mr Eid since January about his financial position, and matters that they state were at odds with “the heart of the franchise agreements”.

It is also understood APCO appointed an independent human resources firm to investigate Mr Eid.

Temporary fencing had been installed to protect assets owned by APCO, Mr Cave said.

APCO has fenced off the Epping site.

APCO director Robert Anderson said the company had made significant attempts to resolve the issue.

“We want to let APCO employees from Thomastown and Epping know that we are doing all we can to represent their interests in our negotiations with their employer,” Mr Anderson said