Rami Levy Sues Franchisees for $770,000 Over Missing Cash

Rami Levy Marketing, a supermarket chain, has filed a lawsuit seeking 2.3 million shekels (approximately $770,000) against two franchisees who operated three Super Cofix branches in Ra'anana, Givat Shmuel, and Tel Aviv's Allenby Street. The company alleges that between April and June 2024, the franchisees stopped depositing daily cash revenue from the registers into a monitored safe, as required by their franchise agreements. During this period, security cameras in the stores were reportedly disabled or covered.

According to the lawsuit, which was reported by "Calcalist," the un-deposited amount reached 194,000 shekels at one point. The franchisees claimed they used the money to pay VAT debts. However, Rami Levy Marketing deemed this a fundamental breach of contract and demanded the franchisees vacate the premises.

Despite this, the franchisees allegedly continued operating the stores without depositing all the funds. When Super Cofix CEO, Pini Shitrit, attempted to conduct an inventory count, he was reportedly denied entry. At this stage, the un-deposited sum had allegedly grown to 290,000 shekels, prompting the company to file a police complaint against the franchisees.

Lawyer Shosh River, representing the franchisees, disputes these claims. She stated that her clients, both around 60 years old, were pressured into taking on additional branches, including the Allenby branch, which she claims was already losing money. River asserted that the franchisees used cash to pay salaries, with Super Cofix's knowledge, and that subsequent offsets or post-dated checks were arranged. She added that her clients were ultimately asked to leave the branches on short notice, and legal disputes are ongoing.