Lenny's Featured in the Knoxville Journal

Business owner turns lay-off into a positive situation
By L Ballard

Dian Trosclair is a modern day miracle.

After 25 years in the highest reaches of corporations such as Federal Express and Service Master, Trosclair’s job was “outsourced.” So she walked away and followed her calling to give back to American communities.

“So I packed up and moved back to East Tennessee to start the second part of my life,” said Trosclair.


And the employees and customers who patronize Lenny’s Sub Shops across the country everyday couldn’t be happier. Everyday is not an exaggeration.

The first Lenny’s Sub Shop opened in 1998 in a suburb of Memphis, to satisfy cravings for authentic subs and Philly Cheesesteaks. Though Lenny’s was originally planned as a single unit restaurant, the tremendous reception from guests at the first location prompted rapid growth, and the concept soon became franchised. Lenny’s now is quickly expanding across the country.

(READ MORE)

Franchisee Spotlight: Louis Tansil, owner of Lenny's in Collierville

Each week, Lenny's will highlight a franchisee. This week, Louis Tansil, is our spotlight franchisee.

Franchisee Since: 2003
Franchise Locations: Collierville, TN

How Louis Tansil Got Started With Lenny’s…

Louis Tansil has a myriad of experience in the restaurant industry, stemming from his first job bussing tables at Ruby Tuesday. There, he worked his way up the food chain to waiting tables then to a corporate trainer and eventually he landed the position of Regional Director for Ruby Tuesday.

The desire however to be in business for himself never left his mind and after many years of learning the restaurant industry at Ruby Tuesday, he decided it was time that he venture off for himself. Louis spent six months checking into different franchise concepts, but it was his friends from Ruby Tuesday that ultimately had the greatest influence on his decision. One of his colleagues at Ruby Tuesday had joined the Lenny’s Sub Shop team and also Len Moore, Founder of Lenny’s, was the Director of Operations at Ruby Tuesday when Louis was there as well.

He bought the Collierville Lenny’s location from Len Moore in 2003 and four years after that he bought another two locations in Kansas City with his sister, Lynn Hiller.

What Intrigued Louis Tansil about Lenny’s…

When Louis tried the Lenny’s food, he was hooked, calling it “second to none” in the quick service sandwich category. Beyond the food being of high quality and fresh to order, Lenny’s took the next step to incorporate the guest experience into the mix, and trains each employee on the “Lenny’s experience,” so that every guest is treated with top notch customer service.

Something Interesting About Louis Tansil’s Story…

Louis desires to open another Lenny’s Sub Shop in Collierville when the time is right. Locally, Louis supports the high school through their theatre and athletics programs.

Where Specifically Did Louis Tansil Learn about Lenny’s?

Louis learned about Lenny’s from his friend, Brian Raspberry, who worked with him at Ruby Tuesday. He also knew Len Moore from his time at Ruby Tuesday and it was through these two people that Louis became familiar with Lenny’s.

Lenny's Spotlight: Memphis Midtown Location

Lenny’s Sub Shop #49, located at Cooper and Madison, is Midtown at its best. The Lenny’s motto of More Food, More Taste, and More Personality® is showcased to every customer in a family-like atmosphere. Melanie Barden is the manager and has worked for Lenny’s since she was fifteen years old. She still has customers that come in and remember her in those tender years, and she now is a mom of two boys. Eric Williams, who describes himself as a “sandwich artist”, came to the Overton Square Lenny’s relatively recently, but was recommended by a veteran. Eric’s brother told him that Melanie was “awesome to work for.”

Giving back to the Memphis community is a major tenet of the store’s purpose. In addition to supporting the Healthy Kids, Teens Fight for Life and the University of Tennessee Health Science 5Ks, the store shows true Midtown character through being a proud sponsor of the Wing Factory’s Annual Turkey Giveaway, the Cooper Young Festival, Rhodes College athletic teams, Memphis Theological Seminary, and concerts and productions at neighborhood churches. “We believe in giving back to the community while supporting the whole spirit of Midtown.”

Melanie Barden and Zack Williams from the Midtown store were a part of the Wing Factory’s annual turkey giveaway, handing out over 500 cookies and 1,000 coupons at 6 a.m., and distributing 1,500 turkeys to community families. “The smiles on all of those children’s faces at 6 a.m. in below freezing weather is what made it all worth it to me” said Zach Williams, a shift leader at the midtown store and marketing coordinator for The HK Group, which store #49 is a member.

Events like this are the reason that the Midtown store keeps such regular customers coming in, simply due to the fact that the employee-customer relationship is so sincere. Lenny’s was founded on SIP: providing great Service, with high Integrity in a Professional manner.

Melanie Barden, the store’s General Manager, who just celebrated 10 years with Lenny’s Sub Shop, is the premier example of a leader who exemplifies those values with a strong focus on customer service and satisfaction. Her employees work as a team with the goal of having every customer leave the store with the ultimate Lenny’s Sub Shop experience.

If you haven’t tried the chicken or tuna salad, or the best Philly Cheesesteak in Memphis, check them out at 12 South Cooper. “Our new French Dip Sandwich is rocking and now you can place your order online from home, office or your phone,” said Williams. “Lenny’s Sub Shop has been a proud resident in Midtown for almost ten years. We take our Midtown citizenship seriously and are always looking for ways to improve our service and increase the fun experience you can expect at our store.” Said Melanie Barden. “Thank you Midtown!”

Franchisee Spotlight: Edith Kelly-Green, Owner of 11 Lenny's Sub Shop Locations

Each week, Lenny's will highlight a franchisee. This week, Edith Kelly-Green, is our spotlight franchisee.

Franchisee Since: 2005
Franchise Locations: Memphis, TN; Oxford, MS; Batesville, MS; Nashville, TN

How Edith Got Started with Lenny’s…

In 2003, Edith retired from a 26-year career at FedEx as the VP and Chief Sourcing Officer. At her time of retirement, Edith’s daughter, Jayna, was a college student at Rhodes College and ate at Lenny’s Sub Shop frequently. She was the one who introduced Edith to the concept, who at the time had no intention of owning one of her own. Edith’s plan was to retire and relax.

Her main motivation for becoming a franchise owner was her family. Edith wanted a business that she could involve her children in. Her son had just graduated from Florida A& M with a MBA and had always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Now, he along with Jayna, are Edith’s business partners.

Together, they own 11 locations. They started their development in Oxford, Edith’s hometown. That location was for sale at the time she was looking at buying and it was close to the university where she thought she would have a great customer base. Initially, Edith had envisioned owning 10 locations and she has surpassed her vision. Edith and her family own locations in Memphis, TN; Oxford, MS; Batesville, MS; and Nashville, TN.

What intrigued Edith about Lenny’s…

Edith loved that she could be a business owner with her family. She was exposed to Lenny’s through her daughter and knew George and Brent Alvord, the Lenny’s executives. When she looked more into the brand, she was extremely impressed by the values of Lenny’s and the way the Alvord’s ran the company. It ultimately aligned with her philosophies and she saw an opportunity for a return on investment for her family’s future.

Something Interesting about Edith’s Story…

Edith is the only Lenny’s franchisee with an airport location. She owns the Lenny’s location in the Memphis airport, which is one of Lenny’s highest producing stores. She purchased this location in July of 2005.

Franchisee Spotlight: Bruce Longmore, owner of Lenny's Sub Shop in Alpharetta and Cumming, GA

Each week, Lenny's will highlight a franchisee. This week, Bruce Longmore, is our spotlight franchisee.

Franchisee Since: 2008
Locations: Alpharetta and Cumming, GA

How Bruce Longmore Got Started With Lenny’s…

Long-time Atlanta native, Bruce Longmore got tired of his career in corporate sales. Eventually, he grabbed hold of his entrepreneurial spirit and left corporate America to venture into becoming his own boss. For six months during his transition, he spent time looking into different franchise opportunities, but it was Lenny’s Sub Shop that really piqued his interest. As soon as a store in his area came up for grabs, he took the bait and closed on it in less than a month. In 6 months, Bruce was operating two locations: the one in his backyard in Cumming and another in Alpharetta, only a couple miles down the road.

What Intrigued Bruce Longmore About Lenny’s…

The foodies that they are, Bruce and his wife, Donna, always wanted to own a sandwich shop. They had been customers of their neighborhood Lenny’s for eight years and loved that the staff was friendly and the sandwiches were sliced fresh and cooked to order, not to mention, they loved Lenny’s signature hot pepper relish.

Bruce has completely ingrained Lenny’s within his community. He sits on the board of directors for the Rotary Club, is a member of the networking group, Leadership Forsyth and Business 400. He hosts a networking club called “Network for Success” at Lenny’s every Wednesday night. In addition, he is also on the Lenny’s Advisory Committee.

Something Interesting About Bruce Longmore’s Story…

Bruce’s locations are family owned and operated. He and his wife run the stores every day. Bruce’s son is the assistant manager and his daughter and youngest son work during their school breaks.

The Longmore’s watch The Food Channel every night.

Lenny's was recently featured in The Courier-News!

Memphis sandwich shop to open in Hikes Point
The Courier-Journal • May 5, 2010

Lenny’s Sub Shop, a chain based in Memphis, Tenn., will open its first Louisville location Thursday at 3942 Taylorsville Road, between Hikes and Breckenridge lanes in Hikes Point.

Franchisee Dustin Childers of Louisville, a commercial and corporate airline pilot, would like to open 3 to 5 additional sub shops in Louisville “over the next several years,” according to a news release.

The new business will give one free sandwich a week for a year to the first 50 customers in line when doors open at 10:30 a.m. It will also have $3 regular subs all day Thursday.

Lenny’s is about 12 years old and has 157 restaurants in 20 states, according to its website, http://www.lennys.com/. (Read More)