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Started in 1985, hot grilled sub sandwich brand <a href="https://www.penn-station.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-penn-station-prioritizes-a-strong-support-infrastructure-for-a-successful-site-selection-construction-and-design-process-2712083" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Penn Station East Coast Subs</a> has made a name for itself thanks to its high-quality ingredients, fresh-cut fries, fresh-baked bread and freshly-squeezed lemonade. Since then, the brand has prioritized franchisee support for a streamlined approach to real estate, construction and design strategies.With only one corporate location, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/info">Penn Station’s</a> primary focus is on providing unparalleled support to those team members that matter most—the franchisees. The entire onboarding and development process is designed to assist franchisees in executing the concept with excellence, which includes a focus on <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/penn-stations-item-19-showcases-its-systems-strength-without-having-to-rely-on-third-party-delivery-systems-2710392#franchisor">generating immediate ROIs</a> and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/why-penn-station-is-a-great-multi-unit-franchise-system-2709855#franchisor">continuing long-term growth</a>. In addition to an in-depth training infrastructure and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/penn-station-rolls-out-new-cold-sandwich-and-wrap-offerings-for-customers-2711270#franchisor">robust marketing strategy</a>, Penn Station recognizes the importance of assistance in site selection, design and construction.“Our site selection process always starts with our customer-based analytics tool,” said Greg Goddard, Penn Station’s Director of Development and Franchising. “We collect and welcome feedback from <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/penn-station-sales-continue-to-rise-even-as-industry-sales-fall-2711268#stories">our top-performing multi-unit and single store owner-operators</a> to find ways to replicate the same methods and best practices when it comes to site selection for each new location. This information includes everything from unit-level economics, traffic counts, market capacity, customer profiles and even social data.”These successful Penn Station locations also tend to result in development in nearby markets, creating a ripple effect of growth. For example, landing locations in Indianapolis, Louisville, Dayton and Lexington was the result of early success in Cincinnati. Similarly, Toledo, Cleveland and Detroit started and grew about the same time. <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/penn-station-seeks-multi-unit-franchise-operators-in-key-markets-2706333#franchisor">This concentric growth pattern is an important part of the site selection process and creates continued success.</a><a href="https://penn-station.com/real_estate.php?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-penn-station-prioritizes-a-strong-support-infrastructure-for-a-successful-site-selection-construction-and-design-process-2712083" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The traditional market criteria for new Penn Station locations</a> include a population of 50,000, a $40,000 median income, a strong residential profile and QSR co-tenancy. The team evaluates every territory they are considering methodically, weighing a variety of attributes such as logistics, operational support, analytical data, real estate and brand awareness.&nbsp;Once a prime area is selected, Goddard points to Penn Station’s process of hiring local real estate brokers as the key to successful execution. <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/how-rich-moore-found-the-multi-unit-franchise-opportunity-he-was-looking-for-in-penn-station-2711108#stories">“Sometimes the franchisee is a local resident and is very astute when it comes to site selection</a>, but other times they are unfamiliar with the market,” he said. “Instead of hiring a master brokerage, we source local brokers that have established relationships or have proven to be successful with other brands. I’m a big believer that real estate is a relationship-based business—instead of driving around and finding a lease, we provide franchisees with local expertise, connections and market knowledge to ensure that they are in a position to build a strong business from the jump.”The Penn Station development team is able to combine its consumer expertise with the broker’s market knowledge and provide each franchisee with a turnkey approach to real estate. “Still, it is important to note that data isn’t everything—sometimes a site may look perfect on paper but doesn’t work practically,” said Goddard. “For example, a site may have super high visibility during the work week but doesn’t do well because foot-traffic falls during nights or on the weekend. <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/why-penn-stations-age-is-one-of-its-biggest-assets-2708406#franchisor">We can bring the kind of industry expertise and understanding that only comes with years of franchising.</a>”Once the site is chosen, the general timeline is eight to 10 months before the location is built. When it comes to design and construction, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/how-strong-corporate-infrastructure-makes-penn-station-a-franchise-to-invest-in-2709115#franchisor">the Penn Station construction team takes a very hands-on and efficient approach</a>. The design for each Penn Station location is heavily planned out, giving franchisees an easy and streamlined construction process. Still, the team takes a site-specific standpoint and ensures that requirements are paired down depending on what works for each location.According to Goddard, the buildout of each Penn Station restaurant is designed specifically to increase ROI. “We make very deliberate decisions in our construction design to reduce costs and make our restaurants easier to build in every market,” he said. “Initial investment has a direct impact on return, so the goal in our construction department is to make every aspect as cost-efficient as possible. At our core, we are an operations-driven company. We’re focused on good food, customer service and a clean environment. So, the big, ornate buildouts that cost a ton of money don’t fit our culture and philosophy anyway. <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/economists-outlook/commercial-real-estate-prices-still-trending-up-in-2019-q1?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-penn-station-prioritizes-a-strong-support-infrastructure-for-a-successful-site-selection-construction-and-design-process-2712083" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">As commercial real estate costs go up across the country</a> and<a href="https://1851franchise.com/when-it-comes-to-third-party-delivery-apps-and-restaurants-it-s-relationship-status-it-s-complicated--2709390"> more consumers are utilizing online ordering and third-party delivery</a>, we’ve also been gradually minimizing our real estate footprint.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The brand has been working with the same architects for 15 years to handle the intensive buildout—which includes a 900-square-foot kitchen with a gas line for the fryers, flat tops grills and ovens—inherent in its concept. Penn Station’s Vice President of Construction, Kirk Durchholz, is heavily engaged in the process from day one.&nbsp;“Between Kirk and our <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/stationed-for-success-how-penn-station-s-vp-of-operations-supports-franchisees-2707914">VP of Operations, Lance Vaught</a>, franchisees are in great hands every step of the way,” said Goddard. “At this point, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/how-franchisee-longevity-makes-penn-station-a-brand-to-invest-in-2709071#franchisor">we’ve gone through the site selection and construction process 312 times and we know what works and what doesn’t</a>. With this expertise and history, franchisees are able to sleep easy knowing they are positioned for continued success.”The startup costs for a Penn Station franchise range from $347,955 to $556,804. The franchise fee is $25,000. To learn more about franchising with Penn Station, visit <a href="https://www.penn-station.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-penn-station-prioritizes-a-strong-support-infrastructure-for-a-successful-site-selection-construction-and-design-process-2712083" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.penn-station.com/franchise</a>

How Penn Station Prioritizes a Strong Support Infrastructure for a Successful Site Selection, Construction and Design Process

1851 Franchise

The Ohio-based legacy sub brand is committed to exceptional franchisee support that helps optimize ROI and sustain long-term growth from day one.


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