Lenny's Sub Shop featured in Knoxville News Sentinel

Lenny's Sub Shop was featured in an article in the online edition of the Knoxville News Sentinel called "Three restaurant franchises plan Knoxville expansion." The article was built from an interview with Lenny's franchisee Dian Trosclair, and discussed discussed how Dian Trosclair, who opened her fifth Lenny's location in Knoxville on Lovell Road late last year, is looking for new sites for expansion. The article also explains how Dian plans to offer a delivery service for businesses from her current locations, which should be running by July or August. Click here to view the full article or read an excerpt below.

Three restaurant franchises plan Knoxville expansion
By Ed Marcum

Three franchise restaurant operations are looking to open new locations in the Knoxville area.

[Dian] Trosclair, who opened her fifth Lenny's location in Knoxville on Lovell Road late last year, is looking for new sites. "We have one or two sites we are looking at but we haven't started discussions yet," she said. In the meantime, Trosclair plans to offer a delivery service for businesses from her current locations. These are at 1145 Hunters Crossing in Alcoa, and at 4622 Kingston Pike, 9335 Kingston Pike, 523 Gay Street, 2901 Tazewell Pike and 150 Lovell Road in Knoxville.

(Read More)

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)

Lenny's was just recently featured in the Knoxville News Sentinel!

Harrington: Helping youth with job skills

Dian Trosclair considers herself a victim of modern-day miracles.

After 28 years in the corporate world, Trosclair’s executive position with ServiceMaster was eliminated last January as part of the weak economy and outsourcing.

It provided the perfect window for the 55-year-old Knoxville native to move back to East Tennessee from Memphis and become involved in the community through the five Lenny's Sub Shop stores she owns with her brother, Sean Norris.

"In my corporate career, charitable things were addressed mostly by writing a check," said Trosclair, who spent 12 years at FedEx and 15 at ServiceMaster. "I was never really able to get involved. I feel like this is my opportunity in life to make a difference." (Read More)

Franchisee Spotlight: Dian Trosclair

Each week, Lenny's will highlight a franchisee. This week, Dian Trosclair, is our spotlight franchisee.

Franchisee Since: May 2008
Franchise Locations: Knoxville, TN; Alcoa, TN

How Dian Trosclair Got Started With Lenny’s Sub Shop…

Dian had always wanted to return to Eastern Tennessee, having grown up there with her brother, Sean Norris, and she thought that delving into independent business ownership seemed like the best opportunity to relocate back to Tennessee. When the company that she worked for as Vice President of Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain Logistics was bought by a private equity company, Dian took the opportunity to become more involved in her Lenny’s locations. Originally beginning as a passive owner of five Lenny’s locations, Dian has recently taken on a more involved approach and is actively involved in the operation of each location, helping during the busy lunch hours and interacting directly with customers to provide them with an exceptional Lenny’s experience.

What Intrigued Dian Trosclair about Lenny’s Sub Shop…

Having spent time looking for business opportunities with her brother for several years, Dian became interested in Lenny’s Sub Shop upon seeing the success of the Lenny’s concept. Dian also knew several people who owned Lenny’s locations themselves and had a great experience as franchisees. Dian wanted to be able to work with the public and be a part of a friendly atmosphere, and she ultimately found that opportunity with Lenny’s.

Something Interesting About Dian Trosclair’s Story…

As a franchisee of Lenny’s Sub Shop, Dian looks forward to becoming more involved in the community. While working in the corporate world, she always felt that her work came first and the community came second, but with Lenny’s she feels like she is able to ingrain her business within the community. Currently, through Lenny’s, Dian donates time and resources to Youth Villages, to muscular dystrophy foundations and to a program called ‘Joy of Music’, which provides music lessons to underprivileged children, and Shriners. Dian has seen first hand how many of these organizations have helped her friend’s children overcome difficult illnesses and handicaps. Over the next few years, Dian looks to become involved with additional organizations throughout the community.

For more information about Dian Trosclair, Lenny's Sub Shop or the Lenny's Sub Shop franchise opportunity, please visit http://www.lennys.com/.