CINCINNATI, Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Penn Station East Coast Subs, the fast-casual sandwich franchise known for its craveable variety of grilled-to-order subs, deli done right classics, fresh-cut fries, and hand-squeezed lemonade, is celebrating an exceptionally strong start in 2025, capturing the attention of consumers and franchisees.
Franchise and People Development
Penn Station continues to prioritize people development as a core focus of the company. Following a successful summer conference, the message to franchisees was clear: Penn Station is committed to their long-term success, equipping them with the tools, training, and motivation to grow.
Evidence of that commitment is already taking shape midyear with new openings in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Gastonia, North Carolina; and Massillon, Ohio with more expansion planned in Crown Point, Indiana and Independence, Kentucky.
To further support expansion, Penn Station is offering an exclusive incentive for new franchisees: six months royalty-free and 50% off the franchise fee to prospects who sign a multi-unit development agreement in an eligible area. All this momentum aligns with the brand’s 40th anniversary milestone, a year defined by growth, innovation, and renewed energy.
“For over 40 years, Penn Station East Coast Subs has grown with passionate entrepreneurs who share one mission: serve highly craveable sub sandwiches with integrity and genuine hospitality,” said Penn Station President Lance Vaught. “That commitment remains strong, and this year’s progress reflects the dedication of our team and the loyalty of our customers. We’re excited to keep building on this positive trajectory through 2026.”
Commitment to Franchisees and Consumers
Building on four decades of success, Penn Station is doubling down on delivering an unbeatable guest experience, craveable quality at an accessible price, while equipping franchisees with powerful tools to drive traffic and protect profitability.
Driving this momentum is the launch of the Penn Pairs Value Menu, featuring three fan-favorite small subs paired with fresh-cut fries for $7.99 for a limited time.
Franchise owners are also seeing benefits associated with Penn Station’s new app, rewards program, and customer relationship management marketing campaigns. Early results indicate that known customers are 57.24% more likely to return in seven days when Penn Station serves the customer a bounce back campaign.
Franchise Owners are enthusiastic about new local store tools enabling them to traffic, increase check averages, and build long-term loyalty at the local level.
Industry Recognition
Midway through the year, Penn Station continues to stack up prestigious awards across the franchise and restaurant landscape.
Ranked #3 on USA TODAY’s list of Best Sandwich Shops in the Nation
Named Cincinnati’s Best Cheesesteak for the 15th consecutive year and #1 French Fries by CityBeat readers
Recognized on QSR Magazine’s 2025 Top Contenders List
Nation’s Restaurant News /Technomic’s annual Top 500 restaurant chains report-Penn Station ranked No. 171
No. 36 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers and Shakers 2025
Fran Serve Fran-tastic Brand 2025
Honored for the ninth consecutive year on Training Magazine’s Top 100 for its commitment to employee development
Recognized by Franchise Business Review with four prestigious awards:
Top Franchise Culture
Top Food Franchise
Top Recession-Proof Franchise
Franchisee Satisfaction Award
Additionally, successful longtime franchisee, John Doyle, was named a Franchisee Rockstar by Franchise Business Review.
With recognition pouring in, Penn Station is channeling that momentum into strategic growth. The brand is actively seeking qualified franchisees to join its expanding network across the U.S., including key markets such as Columbus and Cleveland Ohio, Chicago, Louisville, Lexington, and Pittsburgh. For more information, interested candidates can check out Penn-Station.com/franchise.
About Penn Station East Coast Subs:Founded in 1985 by Jeff Osterfeld, Penn Station East Coast Subs is celebrating its 40th year serving award-winning grilled hot and classic cold subs, fresh-cut fries, and freshly squeezed lemonade. Privately held and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, the brand is known as a community staple in states including Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania while rapidly expanding into North Carolina, South Carolina, and Michigan. With more than 320 locations across the country, Penn Station is considered among the nation’s fastest growing franchise systems.
Learn more about Penn Station East Coast Subs at penn-station.com.
Media Contact:Lu Dumas
[email protected]
919.459.8168
SOURCE Penn Station East Coast Subs
