The Herald and The Age also reported this week that 22 Sharetea franchisees have complained to the national small business ombudsman about problems with supplies that, according to images seen by this masthead, have included small insects in drink ingredients.

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In a letter issued to franchisees on November 30, Sharetea Australia chief executive Anthony Mu said the company would not compromise on service, the taste of its products or quality standards and hit back at a franchisee who spoke to this masthead. 

“We remind everyone that our ongoing focus is to ensure the continued success and satisfaction of our primary business partners - you, the franchisees,” Mr Mu said.

“The public comments made by a franchisee could potentially have negative impacts to all our franchisees’ businesses and because of this will not be tolerated,” Mr Mu said. “We are happy to work with any relevant regulatory bodies on any enquiries made pertaining to our actions and operations as a franchisor.”

He said that ingredients from the new supplier, which Sharetea Australia had put in place due to its dispute with Lian Fa, had received “resoundingly positive feedback” from 90 per cent of the franchise network.

Mr Mu said the company was looking to introduce new technologies to stores in 2022, including self-serve ordering kiosks, online ordering and a loyalty program, and that the business had invested “heavily” in a national marketing campaign.

Lack of transparency over marketing activities and budget has been a key complaint franchisees have raised with Sharetea Australia, as well as with the small business ombudsman.

An unofficial survey of 25 franchisees showed 96 per cent were unhappy with the new ingredients and wanted to revert back to stock supplied by Lian Fa.

After Employer Protect stopped working with Sharetea, Mr Dorber said a number of the company’s employees joined its program for workers, called Employee and Executive Protect, in 2019.

“Sharetea was not a client and we didn’t disclose any Sharetea materials,” Mr Dorber said. “In each case the client representation related to their own dismissal or other related matters by the company.”

“We filed a number of formal applications on their behalf in the Fair Work Commission, all of which have been resolved on confidential terms with deeds of release.”

Mr Dorber has also personally threatened Mr Mu with a defamation claim over a false comment he alleges Mr Mu made. Sharetea’s spokeswoman said Mr Mu would respond to Mr Dorber’s claim privately.