Priyanka Priyanka and Shweta Jain take dispute over Altona Gate Boost Juice store to Supreme Court

A bust-up between two Boost Juice franchisees at a Melbourne mall sparked a bitter feud which would see ‘Vibe-Tastic’ business owners land in the Supreme Court.

The Boost Juice stall at Altona Gate is at the centre of a bitter feud between the two owners as both women vied to take sole control over the business at the Supreme Court.

Priyanka Priyanka, an ANZ bank employee, and Shweta Jain set up a company called ‘Vibe-Tastic Pty Ltd’ in 2022.

The “good vibes” would not last for long, however, with the ‘Vibe-Tastic’ duo’s relationship souring soon after the duo took over a Boost Juice franchise at Altona Gate Shopping Centre.

Ms Priyanka and Ms Jain fought about their franchise “almost immediately” after their stall opened for business in September 2022, the court heard.

“The relationship between them swiftly deteriorated and neither party could work co-operatively with the other,” Justice Ian Waller wrote in his decision.

The relationship soured soon after the Boost Juice store started running.

“Since October 2022, Ms Jain has effectively run the business without any involvement of Ms Priyanka.”

The court heard the tone between the pair “became increasingly acrimonious” throughout their email correspondences.

Their relationship took another turn for the worse when, while on a prearranged trip to India, Ms Priyanka sent an email saying Ms Jain needed to contribute a further $51,000 to the business.

The same day, Ms Priyanka transferred $49,000 from the company’s bank account to herself.

The pair ran the Boost Juice store at Altona Gate Shopping Centre. File image.

In response, Ms Jain removed Ms Priyanka as director and secretary of the store.

Ms Priyanka’s lawyers told the court Ms Jain had acted “unilaterally and without notice” when she excluded their client from the business.

Ms Priyanka further claimed Ms Jain had paid herself for hours she did not work at the Boost Store.

She alleged Ms Jain had logged into the business’ system from home and recorded hours she did not work.

She also said it “was suspicious” when her former business partner allegedly replaced the CCTV system and disposed of old surveillance recordings.

Their dispute over the business made its way to the Supreme Court.

In his decision, Justice Ian Waller did not find these specific allegations had been proven however, he did find Ms Jain had overpaid herself in some separate instances.

He also found she was not entitled to remove Ms Priyanki from the business.

In his decision, Justice Waller wrote Ms Priyanki was a more credible witness than her business partner.

But he said she had also “breached her duties as a director” by unilaterally withdrawing $49,000.

He found both of the business owners had engaged in oppressive conduct.

Ms Jain now has 30 days to buy out Ms Priyanka’s stake in the business and to pay back the amount she had overpaid herself.

If she fails to do so within 30 days, Ms Priyanki can buy her out.

If both parties do not do so within 60 days, the business will be dissolved.

A hearing on court costs will take place at a later date.