Penn Station East Coast Subs will begin a systemwide round-up campaign to support local Down syndrome organizations throughout the country. From March 1 to March 21, customers will be able to roundup their change or their dollars as a donation to their local Down syndrome organization. Customers who donate $2 or more will receive a coupon for a free small sub with any sub purchase to use on a future visit. Penn Station, Inc. will also donate $50,000 to the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network.
Penn Station Founder and CEO Jeff Osterfeld has several close friends with children with Down syndrome and has been a supporter of these organizations for years, and several Penn Station franchisees and their families have relatives, friends and direct family members who have Down syndrome.
“Last year, we tested a round-up campaign in Cincinnati and Dayton, and based on that success we decided to take the campaign systemwide this year to make a greater impact,” says Craig Dunaway, president of Penn Station East Coast Subs. “Local Down syndrome organizations provide extraordinary education, support and advocacy for people with Down syndrome. We are honored to partner with them in our system to help support their cause financially and raise awareness in their communities.”
Penn Station raised almost $30,000 for the chapters in Cincinnati and Dayton in 2019, in addition to its annual $50,000 donation to the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network. With the campaign expanded systemwide this year, Penn Station hopes to donate at least $150,000 total.
Founded in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1985, Penn Station serves an assortment of fresh-grilled and cold deli sandwiches, wraps and salads made to order with high-quality ingredients. The menu also includes fresh-cut fries, hand-squeezed lemonade made throughout the day and fresh-baked chocolate chunk cookies baked in the restaurant.
Penn Station has more than 310 locations in 15 states including Ohio, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and now Nebraska. A brand that prides itself on longevity, Penn Station is celebrating 35 years in business in 2020.
With all but one store being franchised, Penn Station focuses on franchisee’s profitability and return on investment. This mentality led to Penn Station being named one of the Best Franchises to Buy by Forbes in 2016, 2018 and 2019 and one of the Best Franchise Deals by QSR Magazine in 2016 and 2017.
Penn Station partners with local Down syndrome associations to raise money, donating almost $80,000 to the Cincinnati and Dayton organizations in 2019. Starting in 2020, Penn Station will host a systemwide campaign each March to raise money for the local Down syndrome associations across the Midwest and Southeast.
Projections call for the opening of 10 to 15 restaurants nationwide in 2020. Penn Station is targeting Kansas City, Omaha, Charlotte, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Richmond and Raleigh for franchise expansion.
