1851

Ronnell Bryant had spent the past 23 years working in the military but has always harbored a fondness for the food and hospitality industry. With prior experience in franchising, and having already loved the <a href="https://lennysfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisee-spotlight-ronnell-bryant-of-lennys-grill-subs-11972" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lennys Grill &amp; Subs</a> brand, he knew diving back into the industry was the route he wanted to take upon his retirement. He acquired an existing Lennys&nbsp;Grill &amp; Subs location in the Charlotte area, where he calls home, and has helped ingrain himself and the Lennys&nbsp;name back into the community.&nbsp;

Today, Bryant owns and operates the location alongside side his son, Ziggy, and have quickly developed a special connection to the community. The two are eager to further establish a larger Lennys presence across Charlotte moving forward.&nbsp;

Can you tell me a little bit about your background?&nbsp;

I was actually born in Brooklyn, New York, but grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and have called the region home ever since. For the past 23 years, I&#39;ve been in the military within the National Guard. I&#39;m just getting ready to finish up my military duties and retire from the service now, that way I can focus on our Lennys&nbsp;Grill &amp; Subs location.&nbsp;

My brother was in the Navy and I had always been interested in the military growing up. It was always something I aspired to be. So, my first tour was in the early &#39;90s. When I got out, I opened a franchise and ran that for 10 years, then after 9/11, I knew it was my duty to re-join the military and help any way I can, especially since I&#39;m originally from Brooklyn. I&#39;ve been in the military ever since.&nbsp;

How did you hear about Lennys Grill &amp; Subs and what motivated you to join the team? 

I wanted to do something after retiring from the military and I owned another franchise a long time ago and I just loved the simplicity of things, talking to people and serving them good food.&nbsp;

I had actually eaten at the Lennys location we currently own many times, since it was near where we were stationed -- we all loved it. It was a gathering place for all of us. I wanted one of these to own for myself one day and as it turned out, I got the exact same one.&nbsp;We actually took it over back in November of 2015, so it&#39;s been under our name for over a year now and since we&#39;ve increased sales significantly and we&#39;ve gotten a great response from the community.&nbsp;

What&#39;s helped make your location so successful early on?&nbsp;

Basically, we&#39;ve added discipline to the program. We hire locally and get involved in our community&nbsp;and it&#39;s helped establish more of a family feel to the restaurant. My son, Ziggy, is actually the general manager at the store and was only 19-years old when we bought it. He was handling day-to-day responsibilities while I continued my service.&nbsp;

It&#39;s been a great opportunity for us and we&#39;re just trying to build the brand locally and develop a bigger presence in the area.

Visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://atourfranchise.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisee-spotlight-ronnell-bryant-of-lennys-grill-subs-11972" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">International Franchise Association&rsquo;s @OurFranchise website</a>&nbsp;for more stories of passionate local franchise owners, employees and their communities.

Franchisee Spotlight: Ronnell Bryant of Lennys Grill & Subs

1851 Franchise

After serving in the military for over two decades, Ronnell Bryant has turned his attention toward becoming Charlotte's newest Lennys Grill & Subs franchisee.

franchisee-spotlight-ronnell-bryant-of-lennys-grill-subs

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

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

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

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

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

Amanda Evans - Stellar Service Brands - Franchise Marketing Leaders 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Amanda Evans — Senior Vice President of Marketing, Stellar Service Brands

stellar-service-brands-marketing-leader-amanda-evans

Photo of a large group of people standing in a circle, placing hands together in center

Franchise Opportunities for Minorities: Expanding the Franchise Network

franchise-opportunities-for-minorities

Coffee & Analytics graphic with photo of Nick Powills

Franchise Growth Is Messy. Lead Gen Is Uncomfortable. Let’s Fix It.

franchise-lead-generation-insights

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

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

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Franchisee Spotlight: Ronnell Bryant of Lennys Grill & Subs

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS