1851

In its 20th year of business, <a href="https://franchise.chebahut.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=cheba-huts-investment-in-company-owned-stores-is-powering-its-next-round-of-sub-sandwich-franchise-growth-2707947" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cheba Hut</a> continues to stand out in the fast-casual restaurant franchise sector by imbuing the brand&rsquo;s culture into the back end of the business just as much as the front end.

Toasted subs and local beers in a fun, eclectic atmosphere has always been a draw for <a href="https://1851franchise.com/chebahut" target="_blank">Cheba Hut</a> customers, but it was evident to the brand&rsquo;s corporate team that taking Cheba Hut further forward required leadership to become more involved in the everyday workings of the franchise. By changing its development focus to investing in company-owned stores, Cheba Hut has been able to establish the systems and structure capable of keeping brand culture at the forefront and is diving back into franchise development reinvigorated.

&ldquo;The first big move we made in developing company-owned stores was bringing on a director of operations named Cody Edgin,&rdquo; Cheba Hut COO Marc Torres said. &ldquo;His previous experience growing company stores helped us figure out how to dial in on in-store operations and develop programs like our delivery, catering and bar services. [Edgin has] been innovative in terms of training, store procedures and streamlining processes across the board,&rdquo; Torres added.

Establishing this system has paid huge dividends for Cheba Hut in franchisee relations, Torres noted. The brand tests all new programs, products and LTOs through company-owned stores before taking it to the franchise community, which Torres pointed out as a substantial differentiator.

&ldquo;There&rsquo;s an advantage to having skin in the game,&rdquo; Torres said. &ldquo;We have real life intel from stores on a daily basis which we take very seriously. This has helped franchisees gain confidence in the brand when they know the decisions being made impact us personally as well,&rdquo; he added.

Cheba Hut also uses staff from its company-owned stores in its training process for new store openings to impart the importance of maintaining the brand&rsquo;s culture upon new employees. &ldquo;Pulling trainers from those stores directly helps new employees and managers understand the experience we provide customers and ensures each new store opens with that culture in place,&rdquo; Torres said, &ldquo;which is very important because the initial team hired on sets the tone of a location for years.&rdquo;

As Cheba Hut looks toward the future with franchise growth, the corporate team has plans for development, too. &ldquo;One of the reasons I&rsquo;m most excited for our impending growth is because we will be able to continue focusing on building out our team,&rdquo; Torres said. &ldquo;With our strong company culture, we don&rsquo;t see a lot of turnover, so this gives us the opportunity to develop with people who can offset our beliefs and introduce new perspectives at every level,&rdquo; he added. 

The brand&rsquo;s mantra of embracing the counterculture is evident in its business practices, making the franchise one that promotes individuality and gives franchisees a voice in their own stores. &ldquo;Our founder, Scott [Jennings], always says that with Cheba Hut&rsquo;s marijuana theme, we&rsquo;ve been paddling out for 20 years and we&rsquo;re now ahead of the curve with the &lsquo;green wave&rsquo; sweeping the nation,&rdquo; Torres said.

&ldquo;We want that same emphasis on staying ahead of the growth on the franchise side of things. By taking the time to refine practices in company-owned stores, we&rsquo;ve given ourselves the space and time with the development of our support systems to understand exactly what is necessary to prepare every franchise for success,&rdquo; Torres said.

Cheba Hut’s Investment in Company-Owned Stores is Powering its Next Round of Sub Sandwich Franchise Growth 

1851 Franchise

The marijuana-themed sandwich shop’s leadership team having “skin in the game” is a key element of Cheba Hut’s corporate growth.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

cheba-huts-investment-in-company-owned-stores-is-powering-its-next-round-of-sub-sandwich-franchise-growth

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam Inspection Service representative giving presentation

Strategic Partnerships Fuel Franchise Growth at HomeTeam Inspection Service

hometeam-inspection-service-franchise-growth-partnerships

Express Employment Professionals

What’s in the 2025 FDD? A Closer Look for Express Employment Professionals Franchise Buyers

whats-in-the-2025-fdd-a-closer-look-for-express-employment-professionals-franchise-buyers

petbar

How-petbar-Makes-Pets-and-Their-Owners-Happy-as-Part-of-the-Family-in-a-Clean-and-Fun-Environment

How petbar Makes Pets and Their Owners Happy as Part of the Family in a Clean and Fun Environment

petbar-franchise-opportunity-boutique-pet-grooming

petbar Franchisees Win the $6.89B Global Market With Complete Transparency, Self-Service and Membership Models, Creating the Happiest Place for Dogs

petbar-franchise-opportunity

Why petbar Wants to Be the “Disney World for Dogs” — and a Dream Business for Franchisees

petbar-franchise-dan-ashley-o-loughlin-qa

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-costs-fees-2025

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

911 Restoration Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

911-restoration-franchise-deep-dive

HTeaO Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-hteaos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ed Holmes and Papa Murphy's logo

Thirty Years of Take ‘n’ Bake: Ed Holmes Reflects on a Lifetime With Papa Murphy’s

papa-murphys-franchise-ed-holmes-30-years

Design with outline of three houses and people working on laptops within them

Top 10 Low-Cost Home-Based or Mobile Franchises for 2025

low-cost-home-based-mobile-franchises

From Personal Care to Purpose-Driven Business: Why This Couple Is Bringing Griswold to Houston

from-personal-care-to-purpose-driven-business-why-this-couple-is-bringing-griswold-to-houston

Cheba Hut’s Investment in Company-Owned Stores is Powering its Next Round of Sub Sandwich Franchise Growth

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS