New Chain Hopes To Add Sub-stance, Options

(Friday, June 09, 2006) - If you enjoy subs but have had your fill of Subway, Quizno's, Jimmy John's, Jersey Mike's, Blimpie and other national chains, mom-and-pop shops or grocers that make subs, sandwiches or wraps, another sub-slinger is coming to town.

By September, Penn Station East Coast Subs hopes to have two locations open to compete for our burgeoning sandwich dollar.

And in time, the Cincinnati-based sub company expects to operate as many as 10 area locations. The chain that already has several Indianapolis area stores, also is forging into Fort Wayne.

"We look at demographics and population and eating-out trends and competition, and South Bend ranked very very high for us," explains Tom Coyle, the Indianapolis-based executive director of franchise development.

Ten locations will create about 250 new area jobs, other executives say, with a $6 million economic impact, considering local purchases, wages, sales tax and construction costs. Potential area franchisees are already talking with Penn Station.

When we have so many places to buy subs, what makes Penn Station different?

For one, it offers fries with a sandwich instead of the usual potato chip offering, Coyle says.

And stores grill their meats rather than warm precooked meats, so diners see both fryers and grills behind a traditional fast-food assembly-line counter. Coyle also adds that the restaurants have a mean freshly squeezed lemonade.

OK, so 10 area locations. Where might Penn Station be looking or be likely to open?

For starters, it seems downtown South Bend would make an ideal first location. Maybe it will look at the last vacancy at Leighton Plaza, across from the Chocolate Cafe on South Michigan Street. Or it could consider the former Aunt Karen's restaurant down the street.

Grape Road in Mishawaka is another certainty. Since the company wants its first stores open so quickly, Penn Station presumably will select an existing strip center. A space near Best Buy is being considered, Coyle says, behind Olive Garden.

One of the "Erskines" -- Erskine Village or Erskine Commons -- might be nice for the South Bend southsiders who love to hear about new restaurants close to home. Penn Station offers 45 to 50 seats at each of its shops.

Many Grangerites would welcome another restaurant, even with the recent additions of JT's Sports Bar & Grill and the Pitt Stop.

A logical site would be the strip center under construction at Indiana 23 and Bittersweet Road.

Elkhart is a good bet, perhaps at Woodland Crossing, which is replacing Pierre Moran Mall.

Benton Harbor's Fairplain Plaza is another idea. And in a strip center along Indiana 933 or at an older downtown Niles location seems possible, as would a new U.S. 33 center in Goshen.

How about Plymouth and St. Joseph? That would make 10 area locations for the chain that boasts a tasty Philly Cheesesteak.

View all Penn Station East Coast Subs Press Releases

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