Penn Station East Coast Subs, the fast-casual restaurant known for its grilled, made-to-order sub sandwiches, hand-squeezed lemonade and fresh-cut fries, opened seven restaurants and enjoyed system-wide sales growth in 2017.
Penn Station was named one of QSR’s Best Franchise Deals for the third time, including back-to-back recognitions in 2016 and 2017.
“Our training department continued to make great strides and is a huge asset for our franchisees,” says Craig Dunaway, president of Penn Station East Coast Subs. “We’re also almost finished updating our app again, which has been great for franchisees and customers.”
Penn Station will add online ordering to its app in early 2018. The app already includes the brand’s loyalty program, mobile pay, location information and the ability to send gift cards.
In 2018, Penn Station plans to open approximately 15 restaurants, focusing on filling out existing markets and expanding to new markets within a concentric circle from Penn Station’s home base of Cincinnati. Target markets include Kansas City, Atlanta, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Nashville and Raleigh.
Founded in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1985, Penn Station serves a variety of grilled and cold deli sandwiches made to order with high-quality ingredients on freshly baked bread. The menu also includes fresh-cut fries, hand-squeezed lemonade made throughout the day and 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, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. All but one location is franchised. As a franchisor, Penn Station is known for its outstanding profitability and return on investment. Penn Station was named one of the Best Franchises to Buy by Forbes in 2016 and one of the Best Franchise Deals by QSR Magazine in 2016 and 2017.
Projections call for the opening of 15 restaurants nationwide in 2018. Penn Station is targeting Kansas City, Atlanta, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Cleveland and Raleigh for franchise expansion.