Lenny's Sub Shop featured in ASU Herald

Lenny’s Sub Shop was recently featured in an article in the ASU Herald, titled “Lenny’s Sub Shop opens near campus.” The article discusses the recent opening of Lenny’s Sub Shop in Jonesboro, Ark., by entrepreneurs and longtime friends Lawson Fisher and Tripp Williams. The pair decided to open in Jonesboro to target the college crowd and hope to interact with the local community. Since they are located so close to campus, the pair talked to football coach Hugh Freeze at the university and were given jerseys to decorate the shop. Click here to view full article.

Lenny's Sub Shop opens near campus
By: Michaela Kaberline

Long-time best friends Tripp Williams and Lawson Fisher franchised Lenny's Sub Shop in Jonesboro after the two became business partners about three years ago when they decided to jump into the Lenny's business by opening their first store in downtown Memphis, Tenn.

Williams and Fisher own four Lenny's in Memphis and one in Little Rock. They decided to open a sub shop in Jonesboro to cater to the college crowd.

"We knew we had to get over here and open a store," Fisher said. "With our location, we are minutes away from the ASU campus and we really wanted to target college students the most."

The first Lenny's Sub Shop was founded by Len Moore in 1998. In 2004, he sold a majority of the ownership to George Alvord and a group of private investors.

According to Lenny's website, Moore decided to franchise Lenny's and moved to Houston, Texas to open a sub shop there.

(Read More)

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.

Lenny's Sub Shop featured on KAIT8.com

Lenny’s Sub Shop was recently featured on the Jonesboro, Ark., local ABC affiliate’s website, KAIT8.com, announcing the upcoming grand opening on Aug. 23 for franchisees, Tripp Williams and Lawson Fisher. The pair are bringing the first Lenny’s Sub Shop restaurant to Jonesboro, just down the street from Arkansas State University. The first 25 people in line at the 1699 Stadium Blvd. restaurant on grand opening day will receive free Lenny’s for one year. Click here to view feature.

Free subs for a year!

By: Patricia Davis

Lenny’s Sub Shop is coming to Jonesboro.

The restaurant, located at 1699 Stadium Boulevard, will have its grand opening on Tuesday, August 23.

(Read More)

Lenny's was recently featured in the Commercial Appeal!

Memphis sandwich-maker Lenny's is saturating local market
By Toby Sells

When a new Lenny's Sub Shop opens at Main and Peabody Monday, the Memphis sandwich-maker will have nearly saturated its hometown market.

The new store at 153 Main will open in the spot formerly occupied by Blues City Pastry. The high-traffic corner is the end of the Main Street Mall, sits right on the trolley line and is a gateway to the South Main and Beale Street entertainment corridors.

The new Lenny's is opening less than a mile from a current Downtown location at 22 N. Front.

"It's right in the heart of Downtown and is an extremely high-traffic area," said franchise co-owner Lawson Fisher. "The timing was right, and it's just a great location." (Read More)

Lenny's was recently featured in the Memphis Daily News!

Land of Lenny's

Second Downtown location saturates market
TOM WILEMON | The Daily News

With the opening of a second Downtown Lenny’s, the Memphis-born restaurant chain has the city covered as good as the hot pepper relish on its signature subs.

The new restaurant, slated to open Monday at153 S. Main St., is just a short jaunt of seven blocks - not even a half-mile - from the existing one at 22 N. Front St.

There are so many Lenny’s in Memphis that it’s just about impossible to open a new franchise unless it’s Downtown.

“We give a 1-mile radius in terms of a defined area that a franchise has around a location except for a downtown area, where it can have higher density,” said Brent Alvord, president of Lenny’s.

Older franchise agreements allow exclusive rights within a 2-mile radius. About 30 Lenny’s stores are in the greater Memphis area, accounting for almost one-fifth of all the franchises in the United States. (Read More)

Franchisee Spotlight: Tripp Williams and Lawson Fisher

Each week, Lenny's will highlight a franchisee. This week, Tripp Williams and Lawson Fisher are our spotlight franchisees.

Franchisees Since: January 1, 2008
Franchise Locations: Memphis, TN; Millington, TN; Little Rock, AR

How Lawson and Tripp Got Started With Lenny’s Sub Shop…

The idea to become Lenny’s franchisees was on a completely random day for Lawson and Tripp. These best friends since sixth grade were casually dining at a local Memphis restaurant when they starting talking about their desire to become entrepreneurs. At the time, Tripp worked at Fed Ex and Lawson, at a company that sold telephone systems. Both were stable in their jobs and satisfied, but had a passion to run their own business.

Lawson and Tripp had many experiences with Lenny’s growing up in Memphis as Lenny’s was founded in Memphis and a local Memphis favorite. The two friends immediately thought about franchising Lenny’s in Memphis as a result of their nostalgia for the brand.

Lawson and Tripp engaged in conversations with the executive team at Lenny’s in September 2008 and four short months after beginning the discussions, Lawson and Tripp were operating their first four stores: two in Memphis, one in Millington and another in Little Rock, AR.

Now, about two years later, the best friend franchisee team is opening their fifth location in a coveted downtown Memphis location in one of Memphis’ most historic buildings where the original hardwood floors are still intact and customers can enjoy outdoor seating overlooking Memphis’ downtown.

What Intrigued Lawson and Tripp about Lenny’s…

Lawson and Tripp whole heartedly believe in the product, the food. All the meats and cheeses are freshly sliced and each sub is made to order. It’s also in the way that the product is delivered to the guests that excited Lawson and Tripp. Lenny’s delivers a unique experience to each guest called the “Lenny’s experience,” in which every guest is greeted, their hot food is delivered to their table, and Lenny’s team members clean up afterwards.

Something Interesting About Lawson and Tripp’s Story…

Lawson and Tripp have been best friends since 6th grade. Both attended the University of Memphis and are young entrepreneurs at 33 and 32 respectively. Lawson is married to his wife, Christi with a baby on the way. Tripp is engaged to his fiancé, Cris.

Lenny's Opens New Location in Downtown Memphis!

Total Market Saturation: Lenny’s Sub Shop Brings Mouth-Watering, Mile-High Stuffed Subs to Unique Downtown Memphis Location
Equipped with a Fanatical Following and Plentiful Portions, Sub Shop Franchise Plots 24th Location in Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee – Armed with a fanatical following full of folks often expressing their deep admiration of Lenny’s Sub Shops with three powerful words, “I Love Lenny’s”, the now 157-unit sandwich specialists, is opening a new Memphis location. In a coveted downtown spot in one of the city’s most historic buildings, Lenny’s is continuing to dominate the sandwich sector in Memphis, and the new location brings Lenny’s to a total of 24 Memphis locations, 30 throughout the Mid South, which marks complete market penetration for Lenny’s in the Mid South region.

The prime location downtown will open April 19 at 153 South Main St. To keep the historic appeal of the building intact, the new location boasts the original hardwood floors and provides this Lenny’s location with a new look and feel. In addition, it will offer outside seating overlooking downtown.

Opening their fifth Lenny’s location at only 33 and 32 years old respectively, Lawson Fisher and Tripp Williams, are Memphis natives who grew up in Memphis and attended the University of Memphis. Their desire to develop multiple Lenny’s locations came from their nostalgia of the locally-based brand, and their vision of being successful business owners. Fortunately for the two young entrepreneurs, the Lenny’s system has set up a solid foundation for success.

“The fanatical fans, the customer experience and the quality of the food are the reasons for our decision to continue expanding Lenny’s in Memphis,” said Lawson Fisher, who, along with his business partner and best friend, Tripp Williams, own five locations in the metro Memphis area and Little Rock, AR markets.

Part of the brand’s allure is its commitment to its fans. Not all sandwich shops are created equal, unfortunately for the competition, Lenny’s has proven that. That's why hungry people across the nation are talking about the quick-casual restaurant serving fresh meats on generously-portioned subs for over a decade (the Authentic Philly Cheesesteak 15-incher weighs about a pound). Unlike those serving processed meats, Lenny's high-quality steak is from Philadelphia and is trucked twice per week to its locations across the country.

“Our fans have given us every reason to keep growing in Memphis,” said Fisher. “Tripp and I have plans to keep developing Lenny’s. We’d like 10-15 stores total.”

Lenny's stands a step above the competition by offering dining services that other quick-casual restaurants don't. For instance, when you place your order at the deli case, you can watch while the Lenny's crew member slices the meat and cheese fresh to order. Employees are frequently seen in the dining area asking if you're enjoying your food or if you need a drink refill. The average combo meal including chips and a drink costs about $8.70, and refills are free. Don't look for a garbage can on the way out; a Lenny's staff member will clean off the table for you.

“Exceptional service has always been a staple to our guest experience. I think Social Media has widened that scope of demand even deeper. Positive word of mouth now spreads electronically throughout our Social Media footprint, and it is vital for us to maintain that positive buzz,” Brent Alvord said. “Our commitment, across every part of the restaurant, can be seen in the way our fans rave about our brand.”