For seven years, I invested my life savings, time, and energy into building a dream—a Black-owned Togo’s Sandwiches franchise in Clovis, California. As the only Black franchise owner in the area, I worked 16-hour days, hired and mentored local youth, and operated one of the top-rated stores in customer satisfaction.
Then, without warning, Chase Bank froze all of my business accounts. No court order. No advance notice. No explanation.
At the time, I was a loyal Chase customer. I processed every transaction through their system. I trusted them to protect my business. Instead, they enabled the enforcement of a questionable third-position UCC lien from Expansion Capital Group LLC—a lender currently under a Consent Order (CFL FILE NO.: 60DBO-44063) by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation for violations including working with unlicensed brokers.
Initially, Chase claimed my accounts were frozen due to a court order, as stated in letters dated November 5, 2024, and January 2, 2025. Later, in a February 21, 2025 response, they retracted this and admitted it was due to UCC liens—not a court order. They apologized for “any confusion,” but failed to provide any legal case numbers or proper documentation to justify their actions.
Even worse:
- They allowed two collection agencies to pursue the same debt at the same time.
- They never notified me of the freeze.
- They refused to correct their mistake despite clear evidence.
- Their final letter misdated key information and ignored every legal objection I raised.
As a result, my franchise was shut down on July 11, 2024. I lost more than $570,000. My accounts remain frozen, and Chase has since stopped communicating, stating that their decision is “final and accurate.”
This is about more than one business. It’s about a broken system that allows banks to destroy small, minority-owned businesses without accountability. If this can happen to someone like me—a retired federal worker, a law-abiding entrepreneur, and a paying customer—it can happen to anyone.
The injustice doesn’t end with financial loss. During this ordeal, I was also subjected to racial slurs from a debt collector representing Expansion Capital Group. I was told I was “just a sandwich maker.” The silence from Chase in the face of such blatant disrespect made it clear: I wasn’t treated like a valued customer—I was being erased.
That’s why I launched UnlawfulHolds.com—to raise awareness and help others share their stories. If you’ve had your funds frozen without due process, you are not alone. We must shine a light on these practices and demand change.
This is about dignity. This is about justice. And it’s time for our voices to be heard.
Quincy Johnson
Clovis, California
Retired Federal Employee
Entrepreneur
Founder, UnlawfulHolds.com