Lenny's featured in Chattanooga Times Free Press

The Chattanooga Times Free Press published a story about Lenny’s Sub Shop owner Kevin Patel and his American dream story. Kevin immigrated from India 6 years ago and saved up enough money to buy his own Lenny’s Sub Shop with his cousin. Now, after a couple years in business, Kevin is raving about his success and seeking opportunities for expansion as well. Lenny’s plans on opening seven additional locations in the market over the next several years. Currently, Kevin owns the only Lenny’s in town. Check out the rest of the story here.

Newcomer finds niche in sub shop
By ELLIS SMITH
Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011

When Kuntal “Kevin” Patel, an immigrant from India working at his cousin’s gas station in Chattanooga, heard in 2009 that the Lenny’s Sub Shop on Gunbarrel Road was for sale, he decided the time was ripe to enter the food business.

Patel had saved nearly every penny he earned from his gas station job after coming to the United States in 2005, and with a little help from his cousin, he had enough cash to buy the franchise.

(Read More)

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.

Lenny’s Sub Shop Announces Scratch & Win Grand Prize Winner

Frequent Traveler Wins 3D TV and Home Entertainment System

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 150+ unit sandwich specialists are known for giving back to their loyal fans. Today, Lenny’s is pleased to announce the grand prize winner of their Scratch & Win contest. Robert O. of Raleigh, NC will receive a 3D TV and home entertainment system.

Robert, a 53-year-old Director of Service for a large office products provider, spends much of his time on the road. After eating at Lenny’s while on a layover in Charlotte, he fell in love with the generous portions and fresh deli meats. Now, he eats at Lenny’s Sub Shop so frequently that he’s established a friendship with the manager, Jay Johnson.

“I’ve been a huge Lenny’s fan since my first bite of a Lenny’s sub,” said Robert. “There aren’t any in my hometown, but spend enough time in Charlotte to get my fix.”

Word of Robert’s zeal for the brand even got back to his home office.

“My boss was asking me what this sub shop was because it kept showing up my expense reports week after week,” said Robert. As a result, the next time the two were in Charlotte, Robert took his boss to Lenny’s, only to find it closed. However, the manager was still there and recognized Rob.

“Jay saw it was me and opened the restaurant back up just for us. He said I was such a loyal guest, he wanted an opportunity to win my boss over too!”

This kind of personal relationship with customers is just one of the reasons why hungry people across the nation are talking about the quick-casual restaurant serving fresh meats on generously-portioned subs. But respect is a two way street and loyal fans don’t go unnoticed, especially when many are forced to operate on tight budgets.

Lenny’s Charlotte manager Jay Johnson, agrees. “We’ve all experienced a good deal of penny pinching due to this recession,” said Johnson. “I’m glad that my business was able to reward one of our most loyal guests.”

Lenny's stands a step above the competition by offering dining services that other quick-casual restaurants don't. For example, when you place your order at the deli case, you can watch while the Lenny's crew members slice 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 $8.50, 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.

“We reward our guests every day with our premium products and exceptional service, but sometimes, we like to go a step further,” said George Alvord, CEO of Lenny’s Sub Shop. “We’re glad that the grand prize winner of this contest turned out to be somebody who has shown such unshakable loyalty to our brand.”

Lenny's grabs guests with 3-D TV giveaway

Lenny’s was just featured in Nation’s Restaurant News in an article called “Lenny’s grabs guests with 3-D TV Giveaway.” The article goes in depth into Lenny’s latest Scratch N’ Win promotion and discusses how this has been a successful way to engage its guests with the brand. In addition to that Lenny’s saw a 5 and 6 percent sales increase during the promotion period with an 11 percent sales hike one week. Lenny’s is also reaching out to its guests through Facebook promotions, the new Substantial Rewards loyalty program and testing out mobile-phone apps too. Check out a portion of the story below or read the full article here.

Lenny's grabs guests with 3-D TV giveaway

When Lenny’s Sub Shop officials reprised last year’s Scratch & Win promotion this fall, they decided a contest prize consisting of a 3-D home entertainment center was the best way to reach out and grab customers’ attention.

“With technology evolving, 3-D TVs are the thing people want to have but won’t go out to get till prices drop,” said Brent Alvord, president of the 170-unit Memphis, Tenn.-based Lenny’s.

The home entertainment center, which replaced a $100,000 cash prize offered in 2009’s Scratch & Win contest, was one of several major tweaks that made the promotion a “fantastic success” its second year, Alvord said. (Read More)

Lenny's franchisee opens location in Oakland, Tennessee

Lenny's franchisee John Mills’ was recently featured by The Oakland News, which discusses his new store opening in Oakland, TN! Milles talks about his previous experience in the restaurant industry; his love for Lenny’s healthy/ delicious products, positive approach to guest service, and excellent franchise system; his plans to connect with the Fayette County community; and his plans to expand throughout Fayette County. Check out the article below.

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.

Second New Menu Item Since '98 Rolls Out at Lenny's

QSR recently documented Lenny's newest addition to their menu--the Hot Italian Sub. This sub is only the second new menu item from the 150-plus-unit sub franchise since 1998. Check out a portion of the article below or read the full story here.

Second New Menu Item Since '98 Rolls Out at Lenny's

"I Love Lenny's." These three words sum up the devotion of Lenny's Sub Shop's fanatical following, and explain why this 150-plus-unit sub franchise has worked so diligently to prepare for evolutionary expansion in 2011. Lenny's has made another addition to its menu, proving innovation is what intrigues and keeps guests coming back.

Lenny's new Hot Italian Sub, which hit counters nationwide on November 1, is only the second new release ever since the creation of Lenny's original menu back in 1998.

The Hot Italian Sub is a combination of four premium Italian meats, provolone cheese, onions, and green peppers grilled to perfection and topped off with oregano, pepper, oil, and vinegar. It is similar to the cold Italian Sub already on the menu. (Read More)