Lenny's Social Media Update: Every Lenny's Lover's Voice is Heard

Since the creation of the Lenny's Sub Shop Facebook page, Lenny's has provided online experiences unmatched by others in the segment. Lenny's has rolled out countless social media initiatives and programs, back-boned by the success of their weekly, exclusive social media deal, Social Wednesdays. Through these initiatives the page has grown from 10,000 fans in January of this year to 57,000+ fans today. Through this explosive growth comes more interactions.

On a daily basis, an average of 5-6 guests go off the common status update threads and post comments, critiques and praises on the Lenny's wall. Each of these comments is responded to by Lenny's and handled with care. If one walks into a Lenny's restaurant, they receive tremendous customer service and now that same service is being delivered on a social landscape.

Below is an example of the interaction between brand and consumer on the Lenny's Facebook Page. If you are not yet a fan of Lenny's on Facebook, be sure to click here.

Lenny's Sub Shop featured in Bossier Press-Tribune

Lenny’s Sub Shop was recently featured in the Bossier Press-Tribune in an article about the first Lenny’s location to open in Louisiana. Chris Procell opened his Lenny’s Sub Shop in Shreveport recently after falling in love with the brand while he was in college in Mississippi. The recent law school graduate enlisted the help of his father to open the franchise location, and the pair plan to bring 10 to the Louisiana area in the next decade. In the article, Lenny’s Sub Shop president, Brent Alvord, also talked about going into the sub business with his father when they acquired the franchise from its original founder in 2004. A portion of the article is below and it can be read in its entirety by clicking here.

National chain opens local shop

The first time Chris Procell of Homer took a bite of the #6 Deluxe Combo at Lenny’s Sub Shop, it was truly love at first bite.

That day in Jackson, Mississippi changed the course of his life and has brought a national sub shop chain to the Ark-La-Tex.

After receiving a degree in economics from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Procell decided to pursue a law degree at the Mississippi College Law School. That’s when he first discovered his love for the Deluxe Combo with turkey, roast beef and bacon.

After that visit, Procell said he ate at Lenny’s Sub Shop once or twice a week for the next three years, ordering the same sandwich every time.

When he was finished with law school in 2010, he returned to Louisiana. However, something was missing.

“I missed the product,” Procell said. “Next thing I knew, I was on a plane to Memphis and signing a franchise agreement.”

(Read More)

Lenny's Sub Shop featured in The Times in Shreveport

Lenny’s Sub Shop was recently featured in The Times in Shreveport, in an article titled “NEW ON THE BLOCK: Lenny’s to open first Louisiana location.” Local franchisee, Chris Procell, discussed opening the restaurant with his father, Melvin, and the pair’s plans to expand throughout the state. The first location, in Shreveport on Youree Drive, will be followed by locations in the cities of Bossier, Natchitoches, Minden, Ruston, West Monroe and Monroe. A recent law school graduate, Chris Procell fell in love with the Lenny’s brand while in law school at Mississippi College in Jackson, Miss., and decided to forego a career in law so he could bring the sub chain to his home state. Click here to view the full article!

NEWONTHEBLOCK: Lenny's to open first Louisiana store
By Bobbie Clark

Lenny's Sub Shop will open its first restaurant in Louisiana on Thursday.

The father-son duo of Chris and Melvin Procell have taken on the responsibility of growing the chain in Louisiana. The first shop will be located on Youree Drive in Shreveport.

The Procells then plan to expand to include Bossier, Natchitoches, Minden, Ruston, West Monroe and Monroe.

(Read More)

Lenny's Sub Shop featured in The Commercial Appeal

Lenny’s Sub Shop was recently featured in the Commercial Appeal, in a brief that highlighted its sponsorship of the “Memphis Rising Relief Benefit” held to raise money for victims of the recent flooding. The concert featured performances by Breaking Point, Ingram Hill, Sore Eyes, and several other bands. Lenny’s Sub Shop also donated several items to an online auction held to raise funds for the flood victims. Click here to view the full article!

Mississippi River recedes; back below flood stage for 1st time since April 26
By Tom Charlier

The flood of 2011 flowed further into history Friday as the Mississippi River -- after a monthlong siege of Memphis -- finally retreated back below flood stage.

The river dipped below 34 feet on the Memphis gauge for the first time since April 26, although forecasters warned that it could rise again to around flood stage within two weeks.

(Read More)

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)