FORMER FEDEX VP BECOMES A TOP FRANCHISE OWNER

FORMER FEDEX VP BECOMES A TOP FRANCHISE OWNER

July 19, 2013

Edith Kelly-Green ranks as the largest multiple unit franchise owner for Lenny’s Sub Shop

In 2003, after some 25 years of service with FedEx,
Edith Kelly-Green entered into retirement. At the
time, the 50-year-old cancer survivor relished the
thought of having nothing to do.
“Which is what I did for about a year,” says the
former and first African American female vice
president and chief sourcing officer for Memphisbased
FedEx Express. It was while sitting in a
Starbucks and reading the paper that she learned a
local Lenny’s Sub Shop was for sale.
Kelly-Green’s daughter, Jayna, a college student at
the time and frequent patron of Lenny’s Sub Shop,
raved about the food and the concept.
Headquartered in Memphis, the franchise features
sliced to order submarine sandwiches and authentic Philadelphia-style cheesesteak sandwhiches. Kelly-Green
was looking for a way to create a legacy and ongoing wealth for her family. She made a phone call to inquire
about investing in the brand but ended up becoming a franchisee. Since she was financially secure, Kelly-Green
wasn’t seeking supplemental income when she acquired her first store in 2005 in Oxford, Mississippi, her
hometown.
Today, she is the largest multi-unit franchise owner of Lenny’s Sub Shop. Over a period of six years, Kelly-
Green purchased 10 Lenny’s Sub Shops in Memphis and in Oxford. Her shops average annual sales revenues
between $350,000 and $1.2 million. She currently runs her stores—two of which consistently rank in the top 5%
of all Lenny’s Sub Shop locations across the country—with her two sons, James Kelly and Ryan Green. In
addition, she served as one of five franchisees with a seat on Lenny’s advisory board until 2012. And Green was
the first ever recipient of the Black Enterprise Small Business Award for Franchise Owner of the Year when the
new category was added to the mix for 2013 to reflect growing opportunities for minorities in franchising.
Kelly-Green is in a unique position as a multiple unit franchise owner. African Americans are 30% less likely to
be multi-unit operators. Of all African America franchisees, 78% are single-unit owners and 22% are multi-unit
owners versus 70% single-unit and 30% multi-unit owners for all franchisees. A single-unit franchisee is a person
who owns one store and is responsible for the day-to-day operations whereas a multi-unit franchisee is an
owner of multiple stores that are typically sold at a reduced rate per unit.
Right from the start, Kelly-Green knew she didn’t want to be a single location owner.
“I wanted to own at least 10 stores. That was my objective,” she recalls. Her training as a CPA has been
invaluable; she knows how to account for every penny of the business as well as handle payroll and sales taxes.
Her background working with FedEx’s supply chain also proved useful in handling vendors, understanding
purchasing, and reducing costs.
Kelly-Green’s recipe for success and ability to scale has been partnering. She partnered with Marlin Harris in
eight Lenny’s locations until his death in 2009. When the two first met, Harris owned six stores, with different
partners. Not only was he one of the original employees hired by Lenny’s founder Len Moore, but he also was
Moore’s partner in the first three stores during Lenny’s startup phase. In 2005, Kelly-Green and Harris first
bought a Lenny’s Sub Shop at Memphis International Airport. Then in 2006, Kelly-Green bought out Harris’
other partners to acquire ownership in six additional stores.
“He had experience running the store,” she explains. “It made sense to combine his operational skills with my
skills in human resources and finance.”
The following year the partners opened their first store from scratch.
“It was a great location; probably one of the best-looking stores in the neighborhood, near the university
[University of Memphis],” she says. “But when the economy went down [during the Great Recession] we felt it.
People were eating at home and going to cheaper places.”
She adds the store has its ups and downs but is profitable. The franchisee also runs concessions for Memphis’
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and Fairgrounds.
“Each store has its own personality; profitability is a function of your location, market, and employees,” notes
that 60-year-old franchisee.
Kelly-Green notes that much of her training at FedEx focused on customer service. Transferrable skills and
philosophy: hire the right employees, provide them with the right training, and ensure employees are
customer-oriented. Happy customers are repeat customers.
“That generates sales and incremental revenues. That is how you get a return as an owner.”
She adds that the decision to open more Lenny’s Sub Shop stores is dependent upon three things: personality,
profile, and profitability of a particular shop’s location. “As a family we are evaluating opportunities in our
current franchise and other brands,” she adds. So, “we may diversify our portfolio.”

Franchisee Spotlight: Joe Caravella

Q: Where are you from?

A: I was born and raised in Tampa.  I went to Plant High School – Class of 1979.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: I worked for the local police department for 25 years.  My sister and brother-in-law are also police officers. 

Q: How did you learn about the brand?

A: My son was a Lenny’s employee, and the location became for sale.  It was in our neighborhood, and my wife and I were already looking to open a restaurant.  When we learned more about the corporate side of Lenny’s, we really liked the opportunity structure and corporate philosophy.  When my wife and I had the chance to meet and talk with the CEO, George, Alvord, we were sold. 

Q: Why did you decide to open your own business?

A: My wife and I wanted to restructure some of our capital assets.  She was a schoolteacher at Lewis Elementary in Temple Terrace, FL (a suburb of Tampa) for many years in our community, and I wanted to put my pension to work and have our family involved in a business.  We have nine family members working in the store, including my wife, her mother, three nieces and my son.  We look at the store as more than a financial opportunity; it’s a social skills opportunity for our family. In addition, it helps the young ones learn and maintain business skills.  Specifically, my wife and I are helping them understand bookkeeping, management skills and customer service skills to them so they can survive later in life.  We have a good work ethic and we want to show them that success involves family work and service to people, which aligns with my work as police officer and my wife’s work as a school teacher. 

Q: When choosing a franchise, what were the criteria you used to make your decision?

A: We had already been looking to start our own restaurant and had a business broker. It was going to be a big restaurant in Temple Terrace with a 1920’s theme that served fresh sandwiches.  However, I was quickly convinced to become a Lenny’s franchisee after talking to Lenny’s CEO.  He had good family values and was interested in my wife and me.  Plus, Lenny’s food is not pre-made; it is very fresh, which aligned to the type of restaurant we already wanted to run.

Q: With regard to your previous experience, what skills do you feel helped you in your business?

A: At its core, police work involves serving others beyond oneself, as does teaching.  We bring this outlook to our business in serving our customers.

Q: How does your business connect with the community?

A: We are both on the board of directors of our local Italian Club, and my wife is on the Krewe of Italia.  We sponsor local community organizations and believe in giving back.

Q: What are some of your achievements (professionally or personally) that you think will help you along the way in your business?

A: I have always felt that anybody from any walk of life deserves our attention and care. No matter who you are, when you walk into our store, you are our number one priority and guest.  We love to entertain at home, and that’s what we are doing at work as well!

Franchisee Spotlight: Chris White & Derrick Crandall

Chris White was born and raised in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. At the age of 16, he started working as a dishwasher for IHOP and worked his way up to become the general manager. He has worked with IHOP for 16 years.

Derrick Crandall started working for his brother, Chris White, at an IHOP and quickly moved his way up to an assistant manager position. He also worked for Cracker Barrel in Tennessee before returning to IHOP in Florida to work as a general manager.

Together, Chris and Derrick have a total of 28 years of experience in the food industry.

How did you learn about the brand?

For the past five years my brother and I had been looking for a business we could open together. We did a lot of research, and after my brother had tried Lenny’s in Fort Walton, he was instantly hooked. He told me about the restaurant and we knew this was an opportunity we’d be interested in.

What was appealing to you about choosing an opportunity with Lenny’s?

The support and backing of Lenny’s corporate is very helpful and unmatched in the industry. Since we both come from the restaurantbusiness, we know how important having leverage on contracts can be, and being a part of a franchise system definitely gives us that leverage. Lenny’s has been like a family to us and we couldn’t be happier working with them.

What makes your business different?

The Lenny’s product and the customer service we provide are unrivaled in the area. Also, with the experience my brother and I share, we have what it takes to be very successful with the concept.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

Acquiring the business has been a lot harder than we thought it would be. It took us about a year and a half to get bank approval with the way the economy is. We have also had a lot of construction issues as well. It’s just important to stay positive and we’re excited to open and serve the community.

What are your expansion or development plans?

We plan on opening five stores in the next five years. We would like to purchase more locations in Georgia and would love to be able to eventually open up to 15-20 locations total.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

We both love to be outdoors and play sports – we love golf!

Franchisee Spotlight: San Antonio's Christopher Alford

“I thought, ‘I love food, I love pleasing people, I could do this; and hopefully, I’ll feel really fulfilled doing it,’” says Christopher Alford, 39, of his upcoming Lenny’s location. But this wasn’t always part of the plan. In fact, far from it.

The Kentucky native graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1997 with a degree in Police Administration, and after graduating, moved to Texas to take a job with the U.S. Border Patrol. Additionally he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves in 1995 and was an active member until 2001. He spent four years working for the Border Patrol, and after 9/11, he was hired as a federal air marshal. When his wife, who works in the medical field, became pregnant with their first child, Ethan, the couple realized that having one parent in the medical field and one parent in federal law enforcement wasn’t the most conducive lifestyle for having a baby in the house. Alford has spent the past eight years as a sales representative for companies including Ferguson Enterprises, East Jordan Iron Works and Medtronic Diabetes, where he currently works and will stay until his restaurant opens.

How did you learn about the brand?

Somebody actually brought it into the office, and I really thought it was a great sandwich. It’s a sub sandwich, so you really can’t reinvent the wheel there, but I’m a foodie; we live in the kitchen. We don’t eat out a lot and we just love cooking. I like to think that I know at least a good sub from a bad sub. I did a little research and took the family to a Lenny’s that’s just over a mile from our home. It was a damn good sandwich. Having been in sales and worked in restaurants – I bartended and waited tables in college – I recognized that this was a great operation. So I went online that night and began  researching the Lenny’s  website.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Lenny’s?

The atmosphere is fantastic. Their colors are red, white and blue, so it’s bright and inviting. There are no trash cans, but instead have people taking your trash from your table and refilling your drinks. I live and die by the service I provide my customers; therefore as a consumer, I expect pretty good service. At Lenny’s, it was excellent. Also, I’m kind of a nostalgic guy, so seeing the deli case open with the meats and cheeses in it recalls a bygone era, which resonated with me.

And personally, the rat race gets old after a while. I can’t be in law enforcement anymore because we have two young children. So I contacted Lenny’s to get involved. They’re bang-up guys. If they were jerks or pretentious, that would have been it. But they’re incredible, and I feel at home. I feel comfortable investing my money into this endeavor. I trust these guys, and it feels right.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

The transition from federal law enforcement to sales was trying at best. I had never planned on this. I really hadn’t planned on Ethan showing up, but he did, so some changes had to be made. My wife works in open-heart surgery. She’s from Costa Rica, I’m from Kentucky and we’re in Texas. We don’t have that familial support because we’re both 1,500 miles from our families. I had to do some soul-searching, but I had some fraternity brothers from Kappa Alpha Order in sales that guided me and assisted me. For a 27-year-old kid, having a new career and being a new parent was a lot to deal with during those couple of years.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Lenny’s?

My goal is between three and five stores. I have definite plans to open more locations, but the timeline is flexible. I think I’ll certainly have three stores in three or four years. Five stores will just depend on if it’s doable.

What are some of the publications you read? Local? National? What is your goal publication with your business?

I read Discovery Channel Magazine, Kentucky Monthly, Smithsonian Magazine and Texas Monthly.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I lift weights avidly. I’m up at 4:15 a.m. and I go to the gym. I do a 2-mile run in the neighborhood afterwards. Physical fitness is important to me. With life, children, that is when I can fit it in. I’m also working on my Master’s Degree in Military History with a concentration on the Second World War at American Military University. That occupies quite a bit of time in the evenings, but it’s great because the kids are in school and we study together. All technology gets shut down at 6 p.m, and we read for an hour. It’s good for 10-year-old, Ethan, and Isabella who is 7 years old. I don’t have any proclivities toward teaching but I’m a WWII fanatic. History has been a passion of mine for a long time.

Franchisee Spotlight: Anand Patel

Before becoming a part of the Lenny’s Sub Shop franchise Anand Patel had an extensive career in hotel management. Patel received his hospitality and management degree from Collins School of Hospitality in Pomona, California. After graduating, Patel moved to Atlanta and operated a Country Inn & Suites for two years as the general manager. He then moved to Franklin, Tennessee and took over his father’s hotel company running the operations for 10 hotels in the Nashville area which he continues to do today.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Lenny’s?

I was familiar with Lenny’s because there is a location next to one of our hotels in Memphis. We used to do about $30,000 worth of catering every two years and they came up on my radar a lot. I saw Lenny’s available in Franklin, my home, and decided it was worth looking into. Just from my experiences with Lenny’s I knew it was a great opportunity.  I knew that I would be able to develop the business in this area as well.

What makes your business unique in the community?

We strive to make every experience unique and take our service to the next level. There is a lot of competition in the area, so we really have to stand out with the service and how we treat our customers.

Are you involved with any charities or do any community outreach with your business?

We have done a number of fundraisers for brain tumor foundations.  My daughter has a brain tumor and this cause really hits close to home. It’s just a way that we are able to give back and we’re fortunate to have this opportunity to help.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Lenny’s?

We currently own three locations and we've seen 28% sales increases since purchasing. Ideally, we would like to develop further into downtown Nashville.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I’m a huge Tennessee sports fan! 

Franchisee Profile: Tripp Williams – Multi-Unit

Franchisee Since: 2008

Franchise Locations: 6 Lenny's Locations

1. 11401 Financial Centre Pkwy, Little Rock, Ark. 72211
2. 1699 Stadium Blvd., Jonesboro, Ark. 72401
3. 153 Main St., Memphis, Tenn. 38103
4. 5643 Shelby Dr., Memphis, Tenn. 38141
5. 1664 Sycamore View Rd., Memphis, Tenn. 37134
6. 8265 U.S. Highway 51, Memphis, Tenn. 38053
   

Q: Where are you from?

A: I am originally from Memphis, Tenn. I grew up there and attended college at The University of Memphis.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: Before becoming involved with Lenny’s Sub Shop, I worked at FedEx for 10 years. My business partner and best friend since sixth grade, Lawson Fisher, worked with a communications firm for the same length of time before we decided to go into business together.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?

A: Lawson and I knew of the product because we were customers, but we also had a relationship with the owners of Lenny’s corporate. When we decided to get into the business, we acquired five stores right off the bat. It was something we really jumped into, and we have continued with that level of enthusiasm ever since. My wife, Cris, is also an owner and operator of the locations, and we all have taken on a store that we manage ourselves.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

A: It’s great because we’re able to run our own business, but we have the backing of a big company. With Lenny’s headquartered in Memphis, and our personal relationship with its owner, the franchise has this great family atmosphere. It makes it that much more fun working with Lenny’s, having that feeling that you’re working with family.

Q: What skills from your previous jobs have helped you in your business?

A: Lawson and I were both in the customer service industry, so we each knew how to handle the customer relationship. But, it wasn’t the food industry, which we discovered is a lot different. As far as our customer relationships, our backgrounds gave us a good start and while I was at FedEx I couldn’t help but learn about business and how things are run at a strong company.

Q: How has the economy affected your business?

A: Although some aspects have made it harder, overall the economic situation has benefited our business. In one respect, it’s really competitive to secure a loan from a bank right now, but on the other hand a lot of people are opting for less expensive dining options. We got into the business before the recession hit, and even though things have been hard we have been able to grow each of our restaurants through that time.

Q: What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today with your business?

A: The biggest obstacle we’ve overcome so far has been the shock of doing business in the food industry. This industry is one where there can be a lot of employee turnover, so we had to learn how to manage that and how to find good people and hold on to them. Once we were able to do that, we have seen great success.

Q: What makes your business different?

A: Although there are a lot of sub shops out there, I really don’t feel like we have many competitors. We provide a product that you don’t get at any other sub shop. Every person who walks through the door is getting a fresh sub — we slice it right there for them, or we grill it right there. They’re getting a half-pound of meat and cheese on their sandwich, and we take care of the guest in every way possible. All around, it’s just a very different experience than you’ll get anywhere else.

Q: How does your business connect with the community?

A: In all of our locations, we try to do some sort of giving back. In Memphis, we have provided boxed lunches for various golf tournaments and fundraisers. In our newest location in Jonesboro, Ark., we’re just five minutes down the road from Arkansas State University, so we’re making it a priority to reach out to the university. We are looking forward to doing something for the students there.

Q: What are your expansion or development plans?

A: We really think that Jonesboro, population wise, could hold another two to three stores. However, we’ll have to see how this first location goes.

ABOUT LENNY’S SUB SHOPS:
Since the 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.

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.

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.

Franchisee Profile: John Mills

Franchisee: John Mills
Location: Oakland, TN

Q: What did you do before franchising with Lenny’s?
A: I’ve always had a passion for the food business. I love to cook and be around food. My grandfather owned a restaurant and catering business and I remember at 12 years old he would put me in the back washing dishes, so that was officially my first position in the restaurant industry. I loved being around him and his knowledge carried over to other family members including my uncle, Danny Robinson, who was also instrumental in setting the path for me in other areas of the food industry. I've worked with distributors, manufacturers and even as a waiter back in college. All areas have given me insight into this business. Owning my own restaurant seemed like the next step for me.

Q: Why was Lenny’s the right fit for you?
A: I’ve always said, “If you believe in what you sell, then a good product will sell itself.” That’s really how I feel about Lenny’s. I love their healthy products and their friendly approach to guest service. Lenny’s corporate was also a big factor in my decision to become a franchisee. They offer great support and ongoing training to their franchisees. They give you all the materials you need to be successful. If you plug yourself into their proven system, you will succeed. After meeting the corporate staff, there’s only one word I’d use to describe them: family. The Alvords are great, and their entire corporate board is made up of the type of people I want to work with as a franchisee. Not to mention the support you get from other Lenny’s franchisees while you get your location up and going.

Q: How do you see your location connecting with the community?
A: A good manager is the key to success in the restaurant industry. I am very fortunate to have Jenny Karcher, who has lived in Fayette County all her life, as my manager. Jenny is that person that everyone wants to be around because of her wonderful personality and people skills. I am very proud of all my employees, because they deliver the “Lenny’s Experience” that each and every customer who comes in our door deserves! I want to be known in the community as the place to go for great food and a great experience. We are going to do whatever we can to help out and be a part of the Fayette county community. I want people to think of Lenny’s as their place in Fayette County to go and get a freshly made sub sandwich with the best service around!

Q: What are your expansion plans?
A: I definitely don't want to stop with one Lenny's. For the time being, my focus is on the first location and having it up and running. My desire is to expand throughout Fayette County with more locations in the future.

Franchisee Profile: Neal Patel

Franchisee Name: Neal Patel
Franchisee Since: Jan. 2009
Franchise Locations:
1) 102 E Broughton Street, Savannah, GA 31401
2) 103 Canal Street, Pooler, GA 31322


View Neal Patel - Lenny's in a larger map

Q: Where are you originally from?
A: I moved to Savannah from India 10 years ago.

Q: What did you do before franchising with Lenny’s?
A: I studied computer science at Savannah Tech and later attended Armstrong University. My parents own a hotel in Savannah so I also helped them run that.

Q: How did you learn about Lenny’s?
A: I wanted to own my own business all through college. One of my friends actually owned the two Lenny’s nearby and offered to sell them to me. I didn’t know much about Lenny’s at the time but I visited one as a customer to learn more and really liked the way they did things.

Q: Why was it the right fit?
A: I love meeting people and a restaurant is the perfect environment for that. It’s hard work, but I love making sandwiches just the way customers like.

Q: What are your expansion plans?
A: I own the rights to a total of 10 stores in the Savannah market, so I’d like to eventually open another 8 to add to the two I already own.

Franchisee Profile: David Miller, Lenny's Franchisee of Austell, GA

Location: 4180 Austell Rd
Austell, GA 30106-8242
Store opened: April 2000, Miller took over corporate store in November 2003

View Larger Map

Q: Where are you originally from?
A: Hattiesburg, MS

Q: Before Franchising, what were you involved with?
A: I worked as an independent medical sales rep in Hattiesburg, MS before moving to Douglasville, GA (where I live now) about seven years ago.

Q: Are you a first time business owner?
A: Nope, I’ve been a business man all my life! The most notable is probably the protective products company I owned and operated with my brother. We made protective clothing for medical professionals.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?
A: I’d often visit my cousin in Greenville, MS, and one day he said, “Let me take you to this great little sub shop!” It was, of course, Lenny’s, and I had the Philly Cheesesteak there and thought, “Wow, this is great!” So we kept going back, and I got to know the Greenville manager and he told me Lenny’s was a franchise, so I went to Memphis, where Lenny’s home office is, and I went right upstairs and met Len Moore, the Lenny, founder of Lenny’s Sub Shop, and spent a few hours with him. Then I talked to my daughter, who was about to graduate from Southern Miss, and told her about it and she said “Oh yeah, I love Lenny’s!” and I learned then that there had been a Lenny’s in my own home town of Hattiesburg, MS all along, but I was working so much I didn’t even know about it! So with my daughter on board and my two younger sons, still in college, saying they were interested too, Len suggested that we take over a couple corporate stores in Atlanta, so we checked them out, liked them, and packed up and moved! We took over 2 stores—the Austell location and another in Morrow, GA, at Southlake Mall. My daughter and her husband ran the Southlake store and did a great job for years until Chick-Fil-A came in and got them to work there. So now my youngest son, Kevin, who majored in hotel management and hospitality, runs the Southlake store, and is doing a great job! I call him my “mini-me!” He really cares about the customers and the people and has been with me through all the economical ups and downs.

Q: How do you see the brand connecting with your local community?
A: We have a great relationship with the Cobb County police department. We help sponsor and feel the Explorers, a program they do for young people, getting them to stay away from things like drugs and gangs by building positive relationships with local law enforcement. We used to sponsor all the high schools, feed the football team, but that got very expensive so we had to cut back when the economy got rough.

Q: What are your future goals? Development plans?
A: We do plan on opening more stores someday, but we’re waiting on the economy. We had a turndown in 2007 and things stayed down in 2008 and 2009. We’ve had some improvement this year but I’m going to wait until things are a little steadier before opening up another store.

Franchisee Profile: Lynn Hiller of the Two Overland Park Lenny's Locations

Today we are highlighting Lynn Hiller. Lynn is the Lenny's Sub Shop franchisee of the two Overland Park, Kansas locations.

Locations: 9343 W 87th Street, Overland Park, KS; 8327 W 135th Street, Overland Park, KS


View Lynn Hiller's Lenny's Locations in a larger map

How Lynn Hiller Got Started with Lenny’s…
Lynn and her family are from Memphis, Tennessee, where Lenny’s is based. She is a long time friend of Lenny’s President, Brent Alvord and has witnessed firsthand the potential of Lenny’s success when her brother, Louis, opened a Memphis location in 2001. Soon thereafter, Lynn and her husband were transferred to Overland Park, Kansas and realized there were no Lenny’s in the Kansas City area and Lynn decided to leave her job of eight years at State Farm Insurance to open her first Lenny’s location in 2006. With the vast success of her first location, she opened her second location in Overland Park three months later.

What Intrigued Lynn Hiller about Lenny’s…
With her personal connections to Lenny’s, the success of her brother Louis’ location and the success of the Lenny’s brand throughout Memphis, Lynn was confident that this could be replicated in the Kansas City metro area. She credits Lenny’s superior guest service and large portion sizes to Lenny’s success as well as catering to local businesses and schools in the Kansas City area.

Something Interesting About Lynn Hiller’s Story…
Lynn was the first to bring Lenny’s to the state of Kansas and her two locations are over 150 miles away from the next closest Lenny’s location in Springfield, MO.

Where Specifically Did Lynn Hiller Learn about Lenny’s?
Lynn was introduced to Lenny’s by Brent Alvord, Lenny’s President, and her brother Louis, franchisee of Lenny’s in Collierville, TN.

Franchisee Profile: Michael Timbes, Franchisee of the Fayetteville and Bentonville, AR Locations

Today we will be highlighting Michael Timbes, the franchisee of the Lenny's Sub Shops in Fayetteville and Bentonville, AR.

Locations: Fayetteville, AR; Bentonville, AR

How Michael Timbes Got Started With Lenny’s Sub Shop…
Michael, a 30-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, decided to escape the corporate culture and start his own business. To begin his search for his own business, Michael attended a franchising conference to get a better feel for his business options, as he knew he wanted to become involved in a franchise concept. After hearing the presentation on Lenny’s, Michael fell in love with the brand and knew that Lenny’s was a perfect fit for him. Michael began researching and found that none of the competing franchises were held to the same standards as Lenny’s Sub Shop in guest experience and freshness of food. Michael fell in love with the product; both the taste and portion size of the sandwiches and saw the success of Lenny’s in Memphis and knew that this success could be achieved in his home state of Arkansas. Soon thereafter, Michael opened his first location in Fayetteville, which was a huge success, just as he thought, and Michael is now opening his second location in Bentonville.

What Intrigued Michael Timbes about Lenny’s Sub Shop …
Michael was attracted to the superb guest experience including the personal relationships employees establish with customers by remembering their names and their specific orders. He also noted that all of Lenny’s Sub Shop locations are immaculate and held to high cleanliness standards.

Something Interesting About Michael Timbes Story …
Alongside operating his Lenny’s locations, Michael is also an Operations Manager for AT&T Wireless. To help him handle the work load, his youngest son, Kyle, and wife, Karen, are managers of his original Lenny’s location. His family-owned business will continue when he opens his second Lenny’s location in Bentonville, as he plans on making his son, Kyle, a general manager of the Bentonville location.

Where Specifically Did Michael Timbes Learn about Lenny’s Sub Shop?
A colleague of his informed him that there were franchising opportunities available for Lenny’s Sub Shop and sent him an invitation to a conference at the Hyatt Hotel in Memphis. Listening to Lenny’s Sub Shop’s presentation, Michael saw the potential for Lenny’s in Arkansas and immediately became attracted to Lenny’s Sub Shop.

With the vast success of his Fayetteville location, Michael is opening a second location in Bentonville.

Franchisee Profile: Steve and Susan Nichols of Lenny's Sub Shop of Gallatin, TN

Today our franchisee profile will be highlighting Steve and Susan Nichols, our husband and wife franchisees from the Lenny's Sub Shop in Gallatin, TN.

Location: 1025 Nashville Pike Ste 130, Gallatin, TN 37066


View Larger Map

How Steve and Susan Nichols Got Started With Lenny’s Sub Shop…
A church pastor all his life and corporate manager of a mobile tool company for eight years, Steve Nichols has had plenty of experience with both community involvement and corporate franchising. However, with a family of six to support, Steve was often forced to spend most of his time on the road, away from his four children and wife Susan, then a stay-at-home mom. Finally, Steve decided to quit his corporate job and look for something else, something that would support his family financially while also allowing him to work with his wife, to be there for his children, and to engage with his community as he so loved to do. Little did he know, a chance discovery on Craigslist would fulfill all these desires and more. Since falling in love with Lenny’s and taking over as local franchisees in June of 2009, Steve and Susan Nichols have watched their little sandwich franchise blossom into a bustling neighborhood hotspot, and they’ve done it all together.

What Steve and Susan Nichols Love About Lenny’s Sub Shop …
The Nichols fell in love with Lenny’s Sub Shop the first time they ate there, and their affections have only grown with time. Steve cited the value of the menu, the high quality of the food, and the ever-present atmosphere of friendly hospitality that the restaurant has exuded from the start. The Nichols have nurtured that atmosphere, making Lenny’s the kind of place where customers know they’ll eat great and be personally taken care of every time they show up.

“I truly believe that Lenny’s has the potential to be the best sub shop in the nation,” said Steve. “The giant subs are just that good. And beyond that, it has a personality that sets it apart from everybody else—small services and undeniable value that we’ll never have to apologize for. You never have to apologize for value.”

Something Interesting About Steve and Susan Nichols’ Story…
For Steve and Susan Nichols, it’s the human connections that make this business venture most enjoyable. While Susan tends to gravitate toward marketing while Steve focuses more on daily operations, the duo have what Steve calls “as much a of partnership as you can possibly have,” spending most of each day working in the shop together from 7:30am until closing. Family comes first for the Nichols—with four adopted children ranging in age from 10 to 19, Steve and Susanknow how to create a welcoming environment for young people, and they’ve used this knowledge to make Lenny’s a haven for the Gallatin community at large.

Steve and Susan Nichols’ Community Involvement…
Community involvement is very important to the Nichols family, and they’ve strived to integrate their business into Gallatin community life as fully as possible. As Chamber of Commerce members, they continuously support a slew of local organizations, from the local community college to the local church to the local high school, hosting spirit nights, sponsoring the marching band, and participating in a variety of other events. It is this kind of thoughtful integrity and dedicated cultivation that has turned their Lenny’s franchise into what it is today: a successful and beloved community restaurant with real expansion potential.

Franchisee Spotlight: David Taylor, Owner of Rockwall, TX Lenny's Sub Shop

Today, Lenny's will highlight one of their many franchisees, David Taylor of the Lenny's Sub Shop in Rockwall, Texas.

Franchisee Since: July 2010
Franchise Location: Rockwall, TX

How David Taylor Got Started With Lenny’s Sub Shop…
David has a creative eye. When he was making the choice about his future and where to attend college, he chose the Savannah College of Arts and Design. Upon graduating, he parlayed his creativity into a career in the film industry. For the past 24 years, he’s been working in the film industry on the technical end in lighting. While he enjoys working on movies, most of his expertise is focused on commercials. Twenty-four years later and with a six-year-old son, David began his search for his next career move, one that would be fun and rewarding while also being financially sturdy.

David learned about Lenny’s from his friend, Steve Brady, who is also a Lenny’s franchisee. His dad is also a frequent guest at Lenny’s in Pascagoula, MS where he grew up. He became interested in the brand a while ago, and has just recently been able to gain the exclusive rights to his hometown territory, Rockwall. His plan is to develop six restaurants in 10 years, but for now, he’s just getting his feet wet in real estate research.

What intrigued David Taylor about Lenny’s Sub Shop…
It wasn’t just through conversation with his friend, Steve, that convinced David Lenny’s was a stand-out restaurant. He tried the food for himself and confirmed his friend’s accolade of Lenny’s rang true. David said, “It’s just a great sandwich, and the quality of the ingredients we use is a step above.”

The opportunity to become involved within his community also excited David as his film career allows him to work with people all over the world, but didn’t give him the ability to connect with his own local community. David looks forward to making Lenny’s a community partner and especially involving the business in activities where his son will also participate.

Something Interesting About David Taylor’s Story…
David is no amateur to the restaurant business. His brother and brother-in-law own five BBQ restaurants in Mississippi and his family has been in the BBQ business since the 1930’s! While he enjoys BBQ, he was ready to get into another restaurant category and open up shop in his hometown.

Franchisee Spotlight: Sam Lampo, Owner of Bryan, TX Lenny's Sub Shop

Today, Sam and Frank Lampo, brothers and franchisees of the Lenny's Sub Shop in Bryan, Texas will be highlighted.

Franchisee Since: July 2008
Franchise Location/s: 3700 S Texas Ave Ste 550, Bryan, TX 77802


View Larger Map

How Sam and Frank Lampo Got Started With Lenny’s Sub Shop…
Sam and his brother, Frank, are experienced business owners and between them, they have 50 years of food and beverage experience. The brothers have owned multiple franchises through the years and Sam had decided to retire. Fifteen years after retirement, Sam’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked back in and he noticed a feature in the Houston Chronicle about Lenny’s. He learned that they were looking for franchisees in the Houston market for expansion opportunities and he jumped on the opportunity. He called his brother, Frank, and they opened their Bryan location in July of 2008.

What Intrigued Sam and Frank Lampo about Lenny’s Sub Shop …
After reading the feature in the paper, Sam and Frank traveled to Houston to experience the brand first hand. They visited multiple locations and fell in love with the proven, established product, along with the superior guest service. What attracted Sam and Frank to the Lenny’s brand was the proven product and the strong brand presence already in existence in Houston. With their experience in the industry, the brothers knew that this success could be replicated in Bryan. They purchased the franchising rights to the entire county in August of 2007. Currently, they have plans to expand into College Station, TX.

Something Interesting About Sam and Frank Lampo’s Story…
Sam and Frank are fourth generation Bryan residents. The Lampo family has lived in Bryan for over 104 years. The family is publicly known around town and has a strong tie to the local community. The brothers work with Habitat for Humanity, local schools, and local hospitals. They also have one of the highest catering ratios in the franchise system and credit much of their catering orders to the local university, Texas A&M.

Franchisee Spotlight: Andy and Jennifer McGee

Each week, Lenny's will highlight a franchisee. This week Lenny's is highlighting multiple! Today, Andy and Jennifer McGee of Daphne, Alabama will be highlighted.

Franchisees Since: March 2007
Franchise Location: 2020 Hwy 98, Daphne, AL

How Andy & Jennifer McGee Got Started with Lenny’s…
Andy graduated college from Harding University and worked as a grill cook for Lenny’s location in Searcy, AR while Jennifer finished her degree. After Jennifer's graduation the couple moved to Mobile, AL where they worked with Chad & Steve Brady at the Bradys' first Mobile location. The couple worked in three of the Bradys' stores before opening their own Lenny's Sub Shop in Daphne in March 2007.

What intrigued Andy & Jennifer McGee about Lenny’s…
Andy and Jennifer were attracted to the culture that surrounds the Lenny’s brand. While managing the Mobile stores Andy fell in love with the way Lenny’s treated their employees and felt that everyone that he worked with was part of a large Lenny’s family. They took pride in the superior guest service that Lenny’s provides and personal relationships the locations build with its guests. Their favorite part of owning Lenny's is the relationships they have with their customers and staff. Most regular customers are greeted by name, and the majority of the staff have several years of seniority, including multiple "original hires" from the store's March 2007 opening.

Something Interesting About Andy& Jennifer McGee’s Story…
Andy and Jennifer live in Fairhope and attend Church on the Eastern Shore. Several families at COTES (including neighbors of the McGees) have adopted children internationally. The McGees traveled to Port de Paix, Haiti in June and began the process of adopting two children. They began the adoption process in February, shortly after the devestating earthquake in Port au Prince. Lenny's guests are kept up to date via a bulletin board in the store, and some patrons donated relief items that the couple took on their trip in June. The couple hopes to bring home their daughter (Wayline) and perhaps a son in 2011.

Franchisee Spotlight: Jayson Scott, Owner of Lenny's in Horn Lake

Each week, Lenny's will highlight a franchisee. This week, Jayson Scott, is our spotlight franchisee.

Franchisee Since: June 2007
Franchise Location/s: Horn Lake, MS

How Jayson Scott Got Started With Lenny’s Sub Shop…
Jayson has the spirit of a true entrepreneur. For approximately nine years, Jayson worked in the chemical sales industry selling farm and industrial chemicals to large corporations such as Proctor and Gamble and Smucker’s. Jayson possessed the skills to sell a multitude of different chemicals to a diverse client base, and his skill set and experience led to great success as he became the head of a $10 million sales region. Realizing his own success and the amount of money that he was earning for his company, Jayson decided to exit the corporate world and create his own business, making money for the man who he felt deserved it the most, himself. Jayson was introduced to Lenny’s Sub Shop by a family friend and fell in love with the opportunity. He soon opened his location in Horn Lake in June of 2007, with his father in law, David Leake and wife, Katherine Scott.

What Intrigued Jayson Scott about Lenny’s Sub Shop…
Jayson fell in love with the quality, customer service, and brand image of Lenny’s Sub Shop. He saw the success of the franchise in other areas, and wanted to bring this quality sub shop to his local town, Horn Lake. Jayson was not intimidated by the small town of Horn Lake, and was determined to make his Horn Lake Lenny’s location thrive despite its small size. He creates relationships with his local guests on a personal level which ultimately leads to high guest retention rates.

Something Interesting About Jayson Scott's Story…
Horn Lake is a commuting community, so Jayson has been innovative in creating a Lenny’s Sub Shop full breakfast menu which includes bacon, ham, sausage, and egg sandwiches to allow commuters to grab breakfast on their way to work. Jayson is one of only a handful of stores to offer breakfast, and opens at 6am. Jayson’s Horn Lake location is one of only a handful of Lenny’s locations across the nation with a drive-thru in place. The drive-thru serves the busy commuting community of Horn Lake.

Franchisee Spotlight: Darren Anthony, Owner of Lenny's in Alpharetta

Each week, Lenny's will highlight a franchisee. This week, Darren Anthony, is our spotlight franchisee.

Franchisee Since: July 2010
Franchise Location: Alpharetta, GA

How Darren Anthony Got Started with Lenny’s…
Darren became a Lenny’s fan six years ago when he first visited a local metro Atlanta Lenny’s location. He fell in love with the high quality food, generous meat portions, and friendly atmosphere. Darren continued to have positive experiences as he dined at various Lenny’s, which led to his desire to invest in the brand with his own location. He realized there were only a handful of Lenny’s locations around town, and thought that not only should more be developed locally so that more people could enjoy such a great product, but also knew it was a perfect business opportunity that he was passionate about. With his six-years of experience in both the quick-service restaurant franchise financing industry and marketing and sales industry, Darren has confidence that another Lenny’s location in the Atlanta area would thrive.

What Intrigued Darren Anthony about Lenny’s…
Darren fell in love with Lenny’s for a few reasons. Not only is the food high quality (the deli meat is actually sliced on demand) but the portions are large enough to satisfy even an ex-college football player’s appetite. According to him, no other sub shop in the market measures up to Lenny’s great tasting, meat-packed submarine sandwiches. This value and quality kept him coming back time after time. Another unique differentiator for Darren was Lenny's diverse and innovative menu as well as Lenny's signature hot pepper relish. Lenny’s was the only sandwich restaurant in Atlanta that could satisfy both him and his family.

Something Interesting About Darren Anthony’s Story…
Darren grew up in California, but relocated across the country to attend Auburn University and play football. He met his wife at Auburn and after graduation they married and moved to the northern Atlanta suburbs. Darren and his family are still Auburn football supporters and keep up an athletic life style through local tennis leagues.

Darren is the father of a two year old daughter and a newborn son. With his extensive franchising experience and living in Atlanta for more than 8 years, Darren is extremely confident in Lenny’s success throughout the Atlanta area.

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.