How would you feel if you and a group of other investors had contributed a total of $145 million into what you thought were real estate investments, only to later find out that instead a huge portion of that money had been put into the development of “Candwiches” and other equally odd and questionable products?
That’s exactly what happened to a group of investors in Utah after Travis L. Wright offered them returns of up to 24% on real estate investments. Obviously promised returns that high should have been their first clue that something was fishy, but evidently Utah investors are known to be näive “to the point of losing their shirts, which makes them easy prey.” I guess the investors should be thankful that the Candwich is a real product and not oceanfront property in say — Arizona, but let’s think about the concept of a canned sandwich for just a moment…
I am trying to picture it, but it is wrong on so many levels that I just don’t even know where to start: Bread and filling, stored together in a soda can ready to eat? Yuck!
According to Mark Kirkland, the president of Mark One Foods and also the man who says he “patented the idea of putting solid food in a beverage container with the slogan, “Quick & Tasty, Ready to Eat,” … Mr. Wright promised full financial backing for Candwich production that never really materialized even as investors did. He said he believed that canned sandwiches would ultimately sell, and hoped to go into production later this year.”
With an “excellent” shelf life (according to Mr. Kirkland), these might be just the thing for neighborhood bomb shelters or kids with bullet-proof stomachs. But wasn’t whatever niche there was for that kind of item already filled by SPAM? Do we really need another meal in a can? 😛
Source: New York Times