Franchisee Profile: David Barksdale, franchisee of Cool Springs, Tennessee

Franchisee Since: 2004
Franchise Locations: Cool Springs, Tenn.; Jackson, Tenn.

David Barksdale was first introduced to the Lenny’s Sub Shop brand while working in the commercial real estate industry in Jackson, Tenn. As a commercial real estate owner, one of Barksdale’s tenants was a Lenny’s restaurant owner, who was relocating and looking for someone to sell the business to. In order to keep the restaurant in his building, Barksdale purchased the restaurant and made his entrance into the world of restaurant ownership.

That was about seven years ago, and since then Barksdale has learned a lot about the restaurant business and Lenny’s Sub Shop, opening another location in Jackson, Tenn., three years after he bought his first, and buying an existing location in Cool Springs, Tenn., in early 2011.

What attracted you to Lenny’s?
Before I bought my first store, I met with the corporate office and I felt like there was a really good staff in place. Lenny’s was a relatively new franchise back then, and was still in the process of growing, so this was an opportunity for me to kind of be on the ground floor of a growing operation. I realized that in that type of situation I’d be able to get in the market and do things I couldn’t do with a brand that had been around for awhile.

Once I got into the business and I started to look at the numbers — the sales being generated — I realized how much potential there was in these stores. The capital and the inventory outlays were very attractive, which got me thinking about opening my second location. Aside from the business aspect, I really enjoy being able to interact with customers. It’s nice when you get to know them on a first name basis. That’s probably the most rewarding part.

What are your growth and development plans?
Right now I’m still focused on the store transfer in Cool Springs, where we’ve just about gotten everything where we want it to be in terms of staffing. I spend about two days there each week, working to make sure things are going smoothly. In the future, I’d like to open stores in Williamson County or Davidson County and possibly even Nashville.

Lenny's Sub Shop featured in QSR

Lenny’s Sub Shop was recently featured in a QSR article called “Get Your Favorite Lenny’s Sub Through Your Smartphone.” The article discusses Lenny’s latest interactive consumer element by launching their mobile ordering app. Brent Alvord, President of Lenny’s Sub Shop, discussed how consumers across all demographics are using technology as a “personal concierge,” which is why they wanted to offer them the ease of mobile ordering. Brent also discussed how the app was developed to coordinate with their unique point-of-sale system and how Lenny’s is utilizing social media to make consumers aware of the app. Click here to view the article in its entirety!

Get Your Favorite Lenny's Sub Through Your Smartphone

To provide another way for its customers to interact with and order from its menu, sandwich chain Lenny’s Sub Shop recently launched a new mobile ordering app.

The app, available now on iTunes and Android Marketplace, lets customers order pick-up from any of Lenny’s 150 shops.

(Read More)

Lenny's Sub Shop featured on Nooga.com

Lenny’s Sub Shop was recently featured on Nooga.com, highlighting the restaurant brand’s nationwide launch of its mobile ordering app on May 9. Brent Alvord, president of Lenny’s Sub Shop, explained that the company has always been progressive in terms of technology and that mobile applications are becoming a trend in the industry. Ultimately, the move will help drive sales and provides another way to enhance business, Alvord said. Fans of Lenny’s Sub Shop in Chattanooga, Tenn., said the app will be especially helpful when picking up to-go orders because it will decrease time waiting in line. Click here to view the full feature!

Lenny's Sub Shop to offer app for mobile ordering
By Chloé Morrison

Soon customers at Lenny's Sub Shop will have the option to order via smart phone.

"We've always been a very progressive company in terms of technology," President of Lenny's Brent Alvord said. "I think mobile applications are becoming a big trend. Our particular technology is much faster in getting the order done."

Officials said that beginning May 9, instead of standing in line at the restaurant, customers can order via cell phone and the meal will be ready when the customer arrives at the nearest shop.

(Read More)

Franchisee Profile: Jim Hill, franchisee of Olive Branch, MS

Franchisee Since: 2004
Location: Olive Branch, MS

Before Franchising, what were you involved with?
Before I signed on with Lenny’s, I had retired from another company. When I retired I started looking for something else to do and that’s when I decided to go into the restaurant business.

How did you learn about the brand?
I spent about 18 months to two years researching what I wanted to do. I researched different businesses available and franchising seemed to be a good way to go if you want to start your own business. Food has always been a big part of my life. I like to cook a lot, and my feeling is that people are going to continue to eat in good times or bad. Lenny’s was still pretty small when I bought my store, but I ate at the restaurant a few times and talked to a few people and ended up deciding to buy an existing store.

Why is this brand and a franchise system the right fit for you?
In the past I was involved in much larger operations, so running a business has come naturally to me. Being in this kind of business has made me tap into a part of my personality where I can be social and know everyone by their first name and have a one-on-one interaction with my customers. The interactivity of the brand is something that made this a good fit for me.

What are your future goals? Development plans?
I’m keeping my eyes peeled for opportunities. I want to make sure the economy is right before I do anything, but I’m hoping everything falls into place so that I can open a new store by next year.

Lenny's Sub Shop featured in The Commercial Appeal

Lenny’s Sub Shop was recently featured in The Commercial Appeal for the launch of its mobile ordering application, which can be found on iTunes and the Android Marketplace. Customers can download the mobile application and order their meal from their phone to cut down on line wait time or to place bulk orders, the article stated. Brent Alvord, president and chief executive of Lenny’s Sub Shop, said in the article that the “new mobile ordering system will allow time-crunched customers to quickly and easily pick up their food so they don’t have to choose between their day-to-day obligations and their desire for a freshly made meal.” Click here to view the article in its entirety!

Memphis-based Lenny's Sub chain launches app to allow ordering by smartphone
By James Dowd

Hankering for a chicken salad sub to go?

Well you’re in luck because now there’s an app for that.

Memphis-based Lenny’s Sub Shop has launched a mobile application for smartphones that allows customers to place orders at any of the company’s 150 franchises. The free app is available for free download from iTunes and the Android Marketplace. There is a 25-cent convenience fee per transaction.

(Read More)

Lenny’s Sub Shop Launches Mobile Ordering App

Customers at Lenny’s Sub Shop now have one more means of ordering their favorite sub sandwich from the 150-unit franchise. Beginning May 9, the brand that has fully embraced social media will further enhance the customer experience by launching its mobile ordering application.

Instead of standing in a long line, patrons can simply download the Lenny’s Sub Shop app, order a meal on their cell phone and have it ready when they arrive at the nearest location.

The Lenny’s Sub Shop App is available on iTunes and the Android Marketplace, allowing customers to instantaneously order a customized sub sandwich through the app powered by splickit, inc. Ordering from an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Android smart phone is simply “the easiest way to order and pay.”

“We’ve listened to our brand loyalists and we know this is something they have wanted for a long time,” said Brent Alvord, chief executive of Lenny’s Sub Shop. “Our new mobile ordering system will allow time-crunched customers to quickly and easily pick up their food so they don’t have to choose between their day-to-day obligations and their desire for a freshly made meal.”

Lenny’s is one of only a handful of national restaurant brands to launch a mobile ordering application, but industry experts predict 2011 will be the year branded apps take on roles greater than just games and loyalty programs.

Of the 22 percent of quick-service restaurants with mobile applications as of December 2010, just 22.7 percent allowed customers to order, according to eMarketer. And a recent Nielsen Company survey found that among all users who download mobile apps, 25 percent use a dining or restaurant app.

“This is something more and more customers are looking for, and we’re excited to be on the frontend of this growing trend,” Alvord said. “The combination of online ordering and mobile applications has not yet been widely implemented, but we can see that it is the wave of the future and we’re ready to provide that service to our loyal customers.”

ABOUT LENNY’S SUB SHOPS
Since our beginning, Lenny's commitment to quality and attention to detail has gone into every restaurant and sub sandwich. This dedication has helped Lenny's to become one of the fastest growing sub sandwich chains in the country. Today, Lenny's Sub Shop continues to expand throughout the United States by offering franchise opportunities. Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks & The Deli Fresh Experience™ are reasons why our loyal guests say they prefer a Lenny’s sub hands down to our national competition. Why? Lenny's puts back what has been missing in the sub sandwich business - More Food, More Taste, More Personality!® For more information, visit www.lennys.com.